S3_Ep-05: Who Has It Harder in a Special Needs Marriage?

A few weeks ago we posted a reel about the roles each parent plays in a special needs marriage. It passed 70,000 views and lit up our comments, so this week we're unpacking what we actually meant.Jeff said one of us drew "the short end of the stick," and it ruffled feathers. In this episode we clarify that comment, talk through the roles of breadwinner and caregiver, and get honest about the resentment and burnout that nobody warns you about. After 24 years, here's how we've split the load without losing each other.CHAPTERS0:00 The viral reel and why context gets lost1:45 What "the short end of the stick" really meant2:38 Secondhand medical info and surprise medication costs7:45 Deciding our roles before we even had kids11:16 How resentment and caregiver burnout creep in13:42 Why special needs divorces mirror regular ones, only magnified21:24 Personality decides roles, not gender stereotypes26:09 Why denial is one of the most dangerous things in our world29:06 How your roles shift as your child grows31:04 The jobs that became Dad's, from reading to infusions34:18 "I'm off the clock" and why the caregiver needs real breaks47:31 Balancing a neurotypical sibling52:25 What 24 years has actually taught us53:35 Next week: our first guest, Julie ErmanThank you to everyone following along from all over the world. Your comments, questions, and stories shape every episode we make.If this helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it.New episodes every week.#SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMarriage #SpecialNeedsFamily #Caregiver #TheSpecialnessPodcast