Posts by Kate Swenson
What about you Baby Girl?
I tell myself the mom guilt gets easier. I mean, he’s only three. Every night I lay my head down and I know I’ve done right by your brother, but what about you? How many times were you looking for attention only to be told, “One minute baby”. We both knew it wouldn’t be a minute and away you went. It’s that mom guilt at night that punches me in the stomach. Did you get enough attention today? No, we’ll have to grab your best friend tomorrow and head to…
Read MoreSometimes I Just Wish…
This morning I was driving my six year old to vacation bible camp. It is his third day. As we were driving he was telling me everything they’ve done so far. ‘We sing songs mama. My favorite one is called Bubbles.’ ‘We play games. And eat lunch. Yesterday, I gave part of my lunch to a boy that forgot his and Ms. Amy gave me Funyons. It was AMAZING.’ I peeked in the rearview mirror at him. He was wearing a hat that made him look 16 years old. He…
Read MoreI can’t do it anymore…
“I can’t do it anymore.” I’ve said this more times this last month that I’ve lost count. I’ve said it in my head. I’ve said it to my husband Adam, and to friends. I’ve even said it out loud sitting next to the most beautiful little innocent soul. I’m not perfect. I am no where near it. I say and feel things I shouldn’t. I get angry. I yell. I cry. I get frustrated. And at times I think others have it better, or easier. I crumble every single day.…
Read MoreYou haven’t Failed
It’s almost time for Parent-Teacher conferences. If you’re like me, when the teacher speaks about those areas that need improvement, it can feel as if you’re the one being assessed. I remember meeting with my oldest child’s kindergarten teacher several years ago. When she handed me the progress report, I immediately noticed one thing. Well, one letter – N. For Needs improvement. There it was beside Ties shoelaces independently. “I’m the one who needs improvement,” I thought. “I haven’t taught her how to tie her shoes! I’ve failed her.” It…
Read MoreI Never Knew Being a Mother Would be so Hard for Me
I always wanted to be a mom. Heck, I think I played babies and house until I was a tween. After that it was babysitting. And then working with kids in college. Thankfully, I was blessed with three beautiful boys. They are loud, wild, healthy and each perfectly exhausting in their own way. I am the lucky one. I know that. But three kids is a lot. Working, running a house, a baby, breastfeeding, cooking, cleaning, and so on. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love being a mom.…
Read MoreThe Other Side of the Table
I am no stranger to the IEP process that’s for sure. I just finished my 12th year as a special education teacher in a small town in the thumb of Michigan and I absolutely love my job. I’ve known I wanted to be a special education teacher since my junior year of high school and I pride myself in always trying my absolute best to put the students first and try to create great relationships with my students’ parents. I can’t tell you how many IEP meetings I have run…
Read MoreCostco shooting: Man killed by off-duty officer had an intellectual disability, cousin says
On Friday night, a 32-year-old man was shot and killed by an off-duty officer in a Costco store in Corona. When I saw it on the news on Saturday morning I held my breath like I do with every shooting that makes the news. And I wait. I wait for them to say one of the parties has an intellectual disability. This time it was true. The man killed, Kenneth French, was nonverbal and had an intellectual disability, according to a family member. Last night, I sat watching my son Cooper…
Read MoreTo all the Superhero Dads — Thank You
Adam, remember when Noah was born, and I gave you a gift. It was a “new daddy kit” and it had a parenting book – a humorous one of course. And I honestly can’t even remember what else I threw in there. Just goes to show you we really didn’t need or use any of the so called necessary tools. I honestly feel there is nothing that can prepare you for what being a parent really entails. Because even what you’re told to prepare for, chances are that won’t be…
Read MoreThe Calm to our Crazy
Autism has taken our family on quite the adventure the last six years and right in the beginning of it, I gave birth to our second son. But through it all, you have been the calm to our crazy. It quickly became apparent the you are Jayden’s person, what a huge job that really is. It is never-ending and always demanding. The connection you have with Jayden is so hard to describe it is like you two have a magnetic force drawing you to each other whenever you are in…
Read MoreMore than the Man of My Dreams
Every year on Father’s Day I am so thankful to my father and how wonderful he has been my whole life and how lucky I am. After I started having kids of my own I now find myself thankful for my Dad for being such a great Father and Grandfather but also I find myself so thankful for my husband and the Dad he has become. I have always been complimented on how great Lee is as a husband. Other men tell him to stop doing things because he is…
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