Unison Parenting Blog: Encouraging the Uniqueness in Your Child

Chip Waggoner serves as traffic reporter on the Fox 4 Good Day morning show in Dallas-Ft. Worth. He is articulate and fairly athletic.

Meanwhile, his son Benjamin was born with unique physical challenges that impact the lower half of his body. Chip’s book, "MIP: Miracle in Progress" tells about his family's faith journey in raising Benjamin.

A persistent theme in the book is, "What is normal?" Doctors advised the Waggoners that Benjamin's normal would be different than theirs, saying the parents shouldn't focus on what their child couldn't do but on what he could do.

Don’t all parents face this issue? We hold certain expectations of our child, but they may not meet our expectations. We may overlook their uniqueness.

Chip puts it this way: "God has made you, made me, unique to do things that nobody else can do." He advises parents to "change our thoughts on normal to identifying the strengths and challenges that each individual has, then help them hone their skills to get themselves prepared for life, then put them in that position to launch and to do what God’s called them to do.”

For example, I have sons with vastly different skill sets and personalities. One is outgoing and a clear leader. The other is opposite. Instead of leading at the front of the room, he will be at the back of the room, getting things done. I recall a youth retreat when loading bags onto buses became disorganized. He was sweating in the baggage compartment, arranging bags optimally, while others stood around. How valuable he was!

Parents are challenged to understand their child's uniqueness and help them become the best version of themselves.

Clearly, the Unison Parenting challenge is for parents to see that uniqueness the same way and agree on how best to enhance their child's "normal." While there will always be individual parenting differences, seeing together and acting together will send a powerful, loving, supportive message to your child. Ultimately, you will raise them to be who and what God called them to be, not what you consider normal.