That time I thought "Parent Concerns" was just a box to check (Spoiler: I was so wrong)
Hey friend,
Steve and I snuck away last week for a belated anniversary trip and spent a few days in the mountains of NC enjoying the Fall colors and a few waterfalls. There's something about getting out of your regular rhythm that just hits the reset button on everything, you know?
But here's the thing—while I was out there on the trails, I kept thinking about how much prep work goes into a good hike. You pack your water, study the map, wear the right shoes... all so you don't end up stranded halfway up the mountain wondering what you were thinking.
And it hit me: Why do we do all that for a hike, but walk into IEP meetings feeling like we're navigating in the dark? (Yes, I realize not everyone thinks about IEPs while hiking in the mountains.)
The Day I Realized I Was Doing It All Wrong
When I started this special education journey, I was drowning. FAPE, LRE, PLAAFP—it felt like everyone was speaking a foreign language and I'd somehow missed the class where they handed out the translation guide.
I'd sit in meetings nodding along, secretly terrified someone would ask me a question and I'd have to admit I had no idea what half these acronyms even stood for.
But the biggest mistake I made? It wasn't the alphabet soup confusion.
It was how I treated the "Parent Concerns" section of the IEP.
I thought it was just a formality—a quick spot to mention something small so they could check the box and move on. Maybe I'd say, "Oh, we're a little worried about reading," and then we'd shuffle along to the next section.
I was leaving my biggest power move on the table.
That section? It's not a checkbox. It's your chance to set the entire tone of the meeting. It's where you get to say, "Here's what matters to our family. Here's what keeps me up at night. Here's what success looks like for my kid." When you skip over this or treat it lightly, you're basically handing the school the agenda instead of writing it yourself.
That realization changed everything for me. I learned that preparation will always win over "Sorry, we don't do that here."
🎙️ New Episode Alert: Your First IEP Meeting Survival Guide
Speaking of preparation... if you're heading into your first IEP meeting (or your tenth, but still feel lost), I've got you covered.
Episode #140: What to Expect at Your First IEP Meeting (and How to Prepare)
This week on the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, I'm breaking down the whole process—no jargon, no confusion, just straight talk about:
Who's actually sitting at that table and what their job is
How to prep your notes, your brain, and your documents so you walk in ready
The exact flow of the meeting from "Hello" to "See you at the next one"
🎁 BONUS: I'm giving away a free IEP Meeting Checklist with 15 questions you absolutely need to ask. Because walking in prepared is half the battle.
👉 Listen or watch Episode #140 Here & Grab Your Free Checklist!
🔥 Also This Month: I Got Real About the Emotional Load
If you need a double shot of advocacy energy (and maybe a reminder that you're not alone in feeling all the feels), check out my recent conversation on the Chaos & Caffeine podcast.
The episode is called "IEPs Without Tears"—and yeah, we go there. We talk about the emotional weight of advocating for your kid, how to shift from worried-mom mode to strategic-advocate mode, and what to do when your child melts down every single day after school.
It's equal parts pep talk and battle plan. Grab your coffee (or your drink of choice, no judgment) and give it a listen.
Here's what I know: You don't have to keep showing up to meetings feeling confused, overwhelmed, or like you're just hoping for the best.
I work with parents who go from sitting silently in meetings to confidently leading the conversation. Who stop second-guessing themselves and start advocating like the expert on their child that they are.
You shouldn't have to figure this out alone. And you definitely shouldn't miss opportunities like "Parent Concerns" because nobody told you how powerful they could be.
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🐾 Meet Titus: Evan’s New Guide Dog Companion Hey friend, Titus After Evan Wilkerson took that much-needed break last summer, he met his new partner: Titus, a guide dog who changed his life. (If you missed last week's episode, you can catch up on Evan's story HERE.) This week, we dive into the incredible story of their match, their training, and the new level of independence Titus provides. The Day Independence Arrived As Evan and I continued our conversation, he shared some amazing details...
"Take a Break." The one thing a Paralympian wished he could tell his sick self. Hey friend, Photo courtesy of Gene and Traci Wilkerson. This week’s interview hit me hard, and I think it will for you too, especially if you or your child ever feel like the only way out of a problem is to work harder. I recently sat down with Evan Wilkerson, a blind college freshman who swims for the Men's USA Paralympic team and just won a World Championship Bronze medal. His story is one of incredible success,...
