As the New Year begins, we are often bombarded with messages encouraging us to aim high, make big resolutions, and do more.
But as parents—especially those navigating disability—this approach can feel overwhelming. Instead of striving for lofty goals, what if we embraced the sacredness of small steps and new beginnings? What if we allowed ourselves the grace to parent differently—in a way that meets the unique needs of our families and honors the season we’re in? For many families like mine, Sunday mornings don’t look like they “should.” We are navigating multiple invisible disabilities—diagnoses like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and more—and we’ve had to embrace flexibility, creativity, and sometimes just letting things go when things feel too hard.
Sound familiar? Whether your child struggles with sensory overwhelm, there aren’t appropriate accommodations, or transitions feel too hard right now, it’s okay to do what is best for your child—even if it means staying home for a season, attending church online, or exploring your faith in creative ways. The truth we must always remember is that there are countless ways to teach our children about God, to disciple them, and to connect with Christian community—even if getting into a church or participating in Sunday school every week isn’t possible.
Image from @lindsayhenwood on Unsplash. 
As we go about our daily rhythms, whether doing chores, reading books and completing homeschool lessons, playing board games, or even simply running errands, my hope and prayer is that my children experience spiritual formation as something woven into the fabric of their daily lives—not just a Sunday morning event. I pray they grow up knowing they were created in the image of a God who loves them unconditionally, regardless of how much they can “do” or how frequently they attend church. Jesus modeled this for us throughout His earthly ministry. He met people where they were—on the margins, in their homes, or on dusty roads—and reminded them of their inherent worth. He reconciled people to their communities in ways that were deeply personal and compassionate.
So, if Sunday mornings feel like too much right now, know this: it’s okay to prayerfully choose what works best for your family in this season. That might mean a split schedule, finding a more accommodating community, or taking a temporary break. God is not confined to a building, and faith isn’t measured by attendance. We should gather with other Christians, but we also are called to steward and shepherd our families—and the two don’t need to exist in tension with one another.
We have had seasons where we can attend, but not participate on Sundays. We have had seasons where one parent stayed home with one child while the other parent and child went to church. We’ve had seasons of enthusiastic participation in children’s church. And we’ve prayerfully and thoughtfully considered what each of us needs and pursued the best way to honor all of those needs.
Advocating for your child’s needs is a holy act, and finding ways to worship and connect that acknowledge and consider your family’s reality is both faithful and wise. It’s also okay to ask for support.
As you step into the New Year, remember: Small steps matter. Small beginnings can lead to long, beautiful journeys of growth. Whether it’s sharing a simple prayer at home, singing a worship song together, or teaching your children about God’s love in everyday moments, you’re planting seeds of faith. God works through small, faithful acts—and those acts, done in love, have the power to transform lives.
Source: Special Needs Parenting- Key Ministry
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