We can take lessons from just about anything.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a sappy chick flick, especially those with the adorable Sandra Bullock. Hope Floats resides on my DVR no matter how many times I’ve watched it. And, let’s face it, Harry Connick Jr. can create a bright spot no matter how bad your day has been! {swoon}

In reflecting on all the Bullock roles that I’ve loved, and even those I didn’t, I realized every Sandra Bullock movie has a message for parents of kids with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, autism, anxiety, etc. Here’s what Sandy taught me. (I can call her Sandy, because in my head we’re like BFFs.)

What Sandra Bullock taught me about raising special needs kids.

Hope Floats

We often get bogged down in the challenges of parenting kids with special needs, but we need to give the good stuff a chance to float to the top, to stay top of mind. In the same vein, keep the “my cup runneth over” perspective Birdie’s mom taught us.

While You Were Sleeping

Come on! You know you do it to. You know what I’m referring to — you gaze lovingly at your sleeping child, when there’s peace. We fall in love with them all over again while they’re sleeping.

The Blind Side

There are two obvious take-aways for parents of special needs kids in The Blind Side. One, everyone needs and deserves to be loved. Even kids who are different. Even kids with behavior issues. Everyone. Second, mommas feel everything that happens to their kids very personally. (Tim McGraw doesn’t hurt on a bad day either!) {more swooning}

Miss Congeniality

Listen, there’s nothing a makeover, a little girl time, and a lot of laughs can’t cure. (And a little Benjamin Bratt! Hmm, I’m detecting a theme here. Apparently, I have the hots for many of Sandy’s leading men.) {drooling}

The Proposal

There’s a long learning curve to this special parenthood. Sometimes, you just have to fake it til you make it. Pretend you know what you’re doing.

28 Days

Achieving good mental health is a process. This special parenthood is a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes you feel like you can’t breathe, but you will make it through.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

No explanation needed. And, it’s nice to be reminded that all families have some dysfunction.

What have you learned about parenting from these movies?