When Mason’s therapists and I hit a roadblock, I turned to my special needs support group for ideas on why Mason was so apt to keep his brother from enjoying anything outside of watching Mickey Mouse. Why did he follow his brother around non-stop? Parenting and scolding, every second of every day? Why did he feel so entitled to every toy in the house, even those he most definitely disliked? Then someone had a brilliant, but heartbreaking suggestion. Maybe Mason had realized that his brother was surpassing him in some…
I read a comment today from a follower who said I was glossing over the hard parts. I’ve been thinking about it all day. It’s a funny comment from where I’m sitting actually. Most people tell me I’m too negative. They find the realities of my world to be depressing. Even though they are indeed, the realities of so many. Here is what I will tell you. I’m not glossing over the hard. It’s here, right under the surface. Always ready to creep in. And at any moment, if I…
Here is my plea, from a mom. Please, pretty, please, don’t criticize a child, a teen, or an adult who is riding in a stroller. Even if they appear ‘normal. A few weeks ago, our family was out for a walk. I was carrying the baby on my chest in a carrier, Sawyer was riding his bike, and Jamie was pushing Cooper in the stroller. This was a pretty big deal for us. Just a short time ago we were unable to go for walks. But we practiced. We made…
As special needs parents, certain things matter to us. Maybe it’s the perfect family photo or having a birthday party or your child with needs attending church for a sibling’s baptism. I want to tell you, it’s okay to care about these things. It’s okay to want to try, and continuing to try. Because if you are like me, it’s about helping your child to be successful and ultimately your family. That’s how a holiday like Halloween is for me. It’s about so much more than the costume and the…
The first stage is denial, it wouldn’t happen to you, Your perfect little baby, you won’t believe it’s true. They can laugh, they can count; They’re so happy, so smart, But you have a sinking feeling, deep inside your heart. There’s something just not right, and other people see, ‘Oh look at how she moves her hands!’ And ‘It’s like she can’t hear me’ You mention it to someone, they say ‘No, I don’t think so’ But time passes and even they see the signs starting to show. Stage 2 is realisation that…
This morning my son slept in until 7:30. That is unheard of for him. To say at age 8 we’ve had our fair share of sleep struggles is the understatement of the century. We live sleep struggles. But lately, we have some days that are better. Easier. Traditionally, he wakes up before 4 am, comes in our room, sets all of his treasures and blankets on the floor next to our bed, undresses, turns all the lights on, goes potty in our bathroom, and then stands next to my bed…
A few days ago, my middle son Sawyer and I took a drive to meet Grandma and Grandpa. They had the baby overnight so this mama could finally sleep through the night. It was delightful. I slept 12 hours. Anyhow, the drive was just under 45 minutes which means 45 minutes that I get to hear about Pokémon cards, hockey, school and life from a six year old. And I love every second of it. This last year has went so fast. I feel like Sawyer grew up overnight, already…
Autism is a spectrum. My son Jayden is on the severe end of that spectrum but what I always have held on to is the fact that he has never been violent, and he still has not intentionally ever hit me in a violent manner. He has swatted at me when making him push through school lessons. He has pushed me away when he did not want to do something. But he never hurt me, until today. Today, he kicked me unintentionally when I was changing him and I saw…
When we are younger, dating and know everything, we are looking for certain things in a partner. Obviously, someone we are sexually attracted too. Someone with a good sense of humor. Similar interests. A good job. Shared values. Twenty-somethings don’t think about 15 years down the line. Babies, stress, snoring, weight gain, a midlife crisis, money struggles and literally not one second to think, sit or relax. I have to laugh at what a good husband is to me now, after three kids, a mortgage, and nonstop chaos. You wouldn’t…
I have no words to describe what your experience must be like. I have no words, because I simply don’t know what it’s like. Only you know, my sweet boy. I have no words to describe what it must feel like to wake from a nightmare at three and a half years old, get out of bed silently, and run toward your parents’ room. What is it like to hope you find the door open, so that you can run right in? Sometimes, we forget to leave it open. Sometimes,…
