Our son has a service dog. His disability may not be as visible, but it’s just as real.
The woman at the front desk when we checked into our hotel clearly didn’t understand. Her questions were not just disrespectful but illegal. She grilled my son with a critical and disapproving tone, triggering a full-blown meltdown, which was totally avoidable.
And guess who was there to help him in that moment…
His service dog, Max.
Travelling is challenging for children with regulation challenges. For those who are blessed with the support of a service dog, it becomes doable.
Be kind. You might not understand the details of the disability, or see how that animal is helping, but believe me, it is.
(And yes, we spoke with the hotel manager.)
Author: Maggie Diemer
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Travelling Challenges
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Closed Doors
As a parent of a child with mental health struggles, I’ve faced more than I ever imagined.
Doors closed by family who were afraid.
Schools that said no.
Doctors and services that turned us away because my child was “too much.”
And sometimes, even after finding help, watching my child slam the door shut can be even more devastating. It leaves anger.
Exhaustion.
Heartbreak.
And the quiet fear that no matter what you do, it isn’t enough.
If that’s where you are today, please hear this:
You. Are. Enough.
More than any therapy or intervention, your child needs you. Your calm presence in their storm. Your reassurance of your love, even as you clean up the wreckage. Again.
Success isn’t the absence of struggle. It’s navigating the struggle well. Hug them. Laugh with them. Help them understand themselves. Remind them they are loved.
Because even if every door in the world closes, there is one door that must always remain open. Your heart.
Gratefully, Maggie -
Sam Update – April, 2026
I wanted to share a quick update on Sam and also let you know about an exciting opportunity that has come from this journey.
Sam is doing well and has adjusted beautifully to being back home. His days are full with therapies, homeschooling, and meaningful volunteer opportunities. One of our favorite weekly activities is volunteering at a local animal sanctuary called Mitten Misfits. We’ve also recently welcomed an 8-week-old puppy into our home as puppy raisers for Canine for Change.
Mitten Misfits rescues animals from difficult situations, and it has been such a special place for both of us. Sam especially loves working with the horses, but we’ve both grown very fond of the goats and sheep too. Whether we’re mucking stalls or unloading hay bales, our time there is always a highlight of the week.
We would truly appreciate your continued prayers as we navigate the ongoing complexities of parenting a child with a mood disorder. While Sam is stable and safe, he still faces daily challenges with emotional regulation. This can be especially difficult in sibling relationships, particularly with our 8-year-old, Joshua, who is also beginning to show some similar struggles.
Although we are still very much in the thick of it, this journey has opened my eyes to how many other families are walking a similar road. I’ve been praying for ways to use my writing and speaking to encourage and support others, and God has begun to open those doors.
I was recently interviewed on a podcast called Calm Connection Parenting, where I shared more about our journey and the challenges we faced while seeking help for Sam. Following that, I’ve been invited to be a featured speaker at the upcoming Calm Connection Parenting Summit: Calm in the Chaos, a free virtual event for parents of neurodiverse or emotionally intense children taking place April 20–24.
If you or someone you know could benefit, I would love for you to check it out and share:These opportunities have been a meaningful step forward as I continue exploring how to reach and support other parents. I also have some exciting new things in the works that I look forward to sharing soon.
Thank you so much for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement. It means more to our family than we can fully express.
Gratefully,
Maggie -
A Victory Trip
That’s what I’m calling this family vacation.
For years, we escaped the dark, frigid Michigan winters by traveling to Florida. It was a tradition we all loved. One we never imagined giving up.
Until we had to.
Until our child’s mental health challenges eventually made traveling not just unwise, but unsafe.
In 2022, I remember driving south, hoping the sunshine and change of scenery would help our son. But soon discovered the struggles followed us. And after a very difficult week, we made the grueling drive home with the heavy realization that this was likely our last trip to Florida for a very long time.
The past four years have been incredibly hard.
Doctors.
Therapies.
Medication changes.
Endless interventions.
Our son was spiraling, and our family was unraveling. When he was diagnosed with DMDD, we finally understood we were facing a severe mood disorder that might require more help than we could provide.
And in 2024, we made the heartbreaking decision to place him in a residential treatment facility, where he spent the next 16 months.
But he’s been home for two and a half months now, and our family is beginning to heal.
The fact that all six of us made the 20-hour drive, crammed into a minivan with our dog Max, says a lot about how far we’ve come.
It wasn’t perfect. Our son still has a mood disorder, and that means we travel with extra flexibility and intention.
But this trip was filled with laughter and moments of togetherness we desperately needed.
It felt like a celebration.
Because it was.
And the kids are already asking if we can go again next year. ☀️🚐
Gratefully,
Maggie