You Have Time to Help Your Children

‘They grow up overnight.’

As parents, I think we’ve all heard that sentiment.

‘The days are long but the years are short.’

That one is my favorite. And it’s so true.

I have three boys.

Cooper is ten years old. I blinked and here we are. Sawyer is 8 and the little one is 2 going on 13.

We are just your typical family. With the color of autism woven in.

One of my goals is to talk about the things I’ve learned being a mom to a unique boy. My mistakes, my victories, my learnings…because all matter.

When Cooper was diagnosed with autism at age 3, I swear we were dropped into a race. A race against time. A race to catch up. Like we were outrunning something.

That’s how we were made to feel.

The finish line was obvious. Getting there didn’t feel so easy though.

His delays were very obvious. He needed help in every area. It felt…overwhelming. And scary. I felt inadequate and unprepared.

And I thought if we did more, more therapy, more help, more, more, more, by kindergarten he would be fine.

I was no stranger to hard work. I was motivated and hopeful and believed that we could help him.

I was not the only parent who felt this way. It seemed to be the norm.

After a few years we burnt out. Not just Cooper, but our whole family. Our life was going to and from appointments and waiting rooms and parking lots. And I had this sad realization that we were missing life.

He was missing life. His life. His childhood.

He was missing playing and being a kid.

He was missing being outside and relaxing with his family and all the parts that go into growing up.

I vowed to change it.

We slowed down with the therapy. We found the balance that we so desperately needed.

Life. Happiness. Tickling. Loving. Family. And hard work.

You can have both. You can have early intervention and you can have a childhood. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

You have time to help your children. It doesn’t have to happen overnight. In fact, Cooper has learned more at age 10 then any other year!

What you don’t have time to miss is jumping on a trampoline and building forts and putting bandaids on owies. That part goes way too fast.

Let them be little. Let them be kids.

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.