Persevering Parent: Finding Strength to Raise Your Child with Social, Emotional or Behavioral Challenges

Does your child have social difficulty, get into trouble at school, or struggle with emotional instability? Does he or she have a diagnosed condition such as ADHD, autism spectrum, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Tourettes or other? Or does he or she just seem “difficult?”In any case, it is daunting to find appropriate treatment for your child while coping with your own grief, worry and fatigue. In Persevering Parent, Dr. Karen Crum reaches out with hope, compassion and practical guidance to weary or overwhelmed caregivers. This award-winning book is a must-read survival guide that provides encouragement for every stage of the special-needs parenting journey. Persevering Parent is designed for individual reading or for use as a study and discussion guide for support groups. It includes a wealth of godly wisdom and simple principles to help parents become more joyful and effective in the life God has given them.Drawing from the author's personal and professional experience, biblical insight, and stories from real-life parents, Persevering Parent offers readers:•Hope for an uncertain future•Steps toward accepting a “new normal” life•Strategies to face recurring grief and disappointment•Ways to find joy in seasons of sacrifice•Secrets to living happily ever after in spite of difficult circumstancesAdvance Praise for Persevering Parent:"I just couldn't put this book down! I loved it ALL and know it will minister to many. Persevering Parent reminded me that I am not alone as a special-needs parent-- it left me feeling affirmed, inspired and hopeful..." Cathy Stenzel, parent of child with autism, educator"Dr. Karen Crum has done something remarkable and rare. Not only does she invite you into the difficult, exhausting world of a special-needs parent, she also invites you into the struggles of her heart and faith. The faith-based study guide allows you to experience your own journey toward being a hopeful, life-giving parent. A must-read for all parents." Kathryn Ranken, Marriage and Family Therapist, Special Education teacher"Dr. Crum not only validates the struggles of families in a way that gives voice to their challenges and pain, but more importantly, gives real hope. This book will encourage you and constantly drive you to the source and hope and strength. It invites you to find your own story of victory in a powerful way." Rick Caldwell, minister, father of child with special needs"As I cracked open the cover of Persevering Parent, unexpected tears of relief streamed down my face-- 'finally someone understands my journey'. Page after page replaced my isolation and fear with encouragement and hope..."Rachelle Busby, parent support group leader and mother of a child with autism"As the parent to an adult child with schizoaffective disorder and a sibling to twin sisters with bipolar disorder, I was emotionally and spiritually moved by this book. It confirms to me how fragile we are in our human existence, and yet how intimately our faith and love for God and each other sustains us."Dana Turgal, President- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Shasta County chapter"This book is excellent. As psychiatrist who specializes in this field of work, I have longed for such a book that would offer hope and tangible strategies for parents to understand, cope and enter the world of their challenged child."Lynn Pappas, MD, psychiatrist"I love this book. It is presented in an easy-to-read, user-friendly, workbook style that can be used individually or in a group setting. I am excited to use it as a teaching guide for my classes with foster and adoptive parents."Sherri Wiggins, MSW, Director- Shasta College Foster and Kinship Care, mother of 3 children with neurobiological illnesses"In this unique and important book, with empathy and compassion, Dr. Crum, a fellow traveler, points readers to our ultimate source of hope.."Betty Newcome, parent of children with bipolar and autism, teacher

Karen Crum has served for over a decade as a leader and advocate for children with disabilities and their families. She is the founder and former director of Successful Living with Autism through Training and Education (SLATE), a trainer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and a consultant and speaker. Dr. Crum has raised two children with neurobiological conditions, and has experience as a homeschooling mom. Her goal is to help caregivers find emotional strength, practical strategies and God’s peace throughout their parenting journey.