Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/744525
www.FredParent.NET • 27 Ideas to Brighten Your Friend's Day ¨ Deliver a meal ¨ Mow their lawn ¨ Send a bouquet of cheerful fl owers ¨ Arrange for a house cleaning crew ¨ Purchase a gift certifi cate for a massage or manicure ¨ Ask if you can pick up anything while running errands ¨ Mail an encouraging card educate Yourself " Get to know your friend's child, including her disability, her personality quirks and her individual needs. And ask your friend about her specifi c parenting challenges. "It shows that you care and will help you provide more effective support," says Heather Trammell, mom to two special needs children, including Beth, 14, who has Down syndrome and Marie, 11, who has high- functioning autism. Both girls also have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Listen " Ask your friend how she's doing and then simply listen. Avoid offering platitudes or suggestions to help her fi x problems. "We all just like to be heard. Everybody likes to vent," says Nancy Masannat, mom to two children, including Emy, 16, and Kyle, 14, who is on the autism spectrum. "Just listen to what the issues are without judgment." Support groups help parents feel less alone and provide valuable resources for assistance in child care, school issues and navigating health care. Masannat facilitates a Facebook group called Autism Parents of Fredericksburg. Glock is the local coordinator, president and new parent mentor of the Down Syndrome Association of Fredericksburg on Facebook, a community group associated with the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, www.dsanv.org. Suggest resources