Once Again, The New Normal Didn’t Have Room For Us

Normal.

Such a funny thing. 

When I say our life is not, I’ll hear back “Who is really normal?” or “What is normal?” I get everyone is different but when it comes down it, there is such a thing as normal. In some ways we are normal, but in many ways not and haven’t been even before I knew it.

I never wanted my kids to be like everyone else. I want them to march to the beat of their own drums.

Howl at the moon.

Sing when they feel like it.

Walk around barefoot.

Roll down the hills.

Although now that we’re different, and it’s not by choice, I realize there is something to normal.

There is ease.

There is guidance.

There is comfort.

Normal is something I now embarrassingly find myself aching for.  

Last Monday should have been Johnny’s first day of Kindergarten. Like many people, we toiled and agonized about what to do about school. 

As I watched everyone else decide between in-person, virtual, homeschool, pods, etc..

Once again, the new normal didn’t have room for us.

J won’t wear a mask all day, he won’t sit at a computer. I’m not enough to teach him, anyone not trained properly is not enough. 

Johnny’s been going to an autism therapy center with a one on one therapist since June. We decided to opt out of kindergarten this year and keep him there.

The week before August 24th I had my husband take Johnny to buy some new clothes and picked a new backpack. J could care less about those things, but that’s what  is supposed to happen, right?

I dropped him off at his center like I had been for the last few months. I made him take a picture in front of the office looking building in his new backpack no sign with a grade and a teacher. Then we walked to the door and said goodbye to normal.

Goodbye to classrooms.

Goodbye to recess.

Goodbye to birthday party invites.

Goodbye to the PTO and school fundraisers.

Goodbye to the safety of the guidance of the school system.

Goodbye to the security of following the way I knew as a child. The way everyone else knows.

Funny how I never wanted normal, but watching it slip away makes me sad, because now I’m in the unknown.

Written by, Jaime Ramos

Jaime Ramos is a tired, happy, sometimes overly sarcastic Momma from Colorado. She went to school for film making but is currently focusing on raising her two kids with her hubby, Isaac, as they all navigate the world of autism together. She loves writing, reading, watching a good movie, and playing with her dog, Aldo. You can follow her family at https://www.facebook.com/Johnnysspirit/

Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.