Posts Tagged ‘autism sibling’
My Heart Isn’t Ready
I am so ready to have my fourth baby. The nursery is ready. The car seat is too. I can’t wait to kiss her and snuggle her. She can come any day now. And yet, I can’t imagine not giving 100% to this one. While my two older boys don’t seem to need mama every second, this one does. They have friends and sports and trains and seems so grown up at times. But this one, he’s my baby. My little buddy. He asks for snuggles and uppies and kisses…
Read MoreHow to Treat a Person With Disabilities
My middle son Sawyer is at the age where he asks a lot of questions. The questions are pure and innocent and often make me smile or giggle. Or cringe. He asks me a lot of questions about other children. He will tell me stories from school and ask me why a child was mean or why they acted a certain way. Or he will loudly ask why the cashier at Target is in a wheelchair or why the man in line next to us has purple hair. Or why…
Read MoreBand of Brothers
Let me tell you about a band of brothers I know. They are small in size, but big in heart. I am blessed to call them mine. As I watch them grow and play each day, I am inspired to share what they teach me – not just about how to treat someone on the Autism Spectrum, but about how to have meaningful relationships in life, in general. These relationships create a strong support system with a balanced philosophy of “give and take”. As a mother, I could not be…
Read MoreThey Will Always Have Each Other
I don’t know what it’s like to have a sibling with special needs. I only know what I see and feel as the mom. And compare to what I experienced growing up. These boys are two years apart. 10 and 8. When Cooper was diagnosed with autism, I wondered and I worried…about everything. Sawyer was not quite 2 years old yet. What did the future hold for them. Sawyer would follow his older brother around the house, attempting to force his way into his world. He wanted to play. He…
Read MoreWaiting for Baby Sister
I can’t believe in 4 weeks or less there will another baby to love. And a girl this time. When this photo was taken, Harbor was less than a week old. Cooper still hadn’t touched him and was very apprehensive of him. But he was just fine with snuggling up to Sawyer to get this photo. Today, I often say that Harbor is bridge in between these two. He demands love and attention from both. And rules the house. And now a baby sister. The boys are definitely excited but…
Read MoreThe Third Child
There is just something about the third child. I hear they rule the roost usually. And are often little stinkers. Both true for this one. Right now he’s two years old. The third boy. The boss. He loves Nerf Guns, monster trucks, and Blaze and the Monster Machine. He has the most pleasant personality of anyone I have ever met. He adores his brothers. He drives both of them bonkers too. Without fear. He lives on chocolate. I kid. But for real, he loves snacks and treats and raspberries. Getting…
Read MoreHow to Treat a Child With Autism: Look to the Siblings
Happy Autism Awareness Month! I know the calendar has become saturated with bizarre days of observation, from National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, to International No Diet Day, to National Margarita Day (not mad about that one). But I happen to think a month to promote acceptance of people with autism and inspire a kinder world is worthwhile occasion. You probably know someone who’s autistic. Lucky you! I’ll always celebrate Autism Awareness Month because my littlest man, Rhys (pronounced “Reece,” like Reece Witherspoon), is autistic and very much deserves a month dedicated to…
Read MoreOur Family Has Come so Far
One of the things I am practicing lately is reflection. Specifically, reflecting on how much has changed over the years. And how far our family has come. See that boy on the right with the amazing smile and giant yellow egg? His name is Sawyer and he was 4 years old. He is 8 years old now. And this is one of my most favorite pictures of him. It was Easter morning. I remember that Easter vividly. I remember handpicking every item for my boy’s baskets. I remember hiding every…
Read MoreThe Beauty of Learning About Differences
As a mother to an autistic boy, I find myself trying to educate often. Kids. Teens. Unknowing adults. People who stare. People with kind eyes and people who are afraid of differences. I encourage questions even. Why does he flap his arms? Why does he roll on the ground? Why doesn’t he talk? Will he live with you forever? Some of the questions are easy to answer. Some are harder. And honestly, some I do not know the answers too. I may never. The visible differences used to make me…
Read MoreThe Gift of Sight
When I used to think about autism, back when the word meant nothing to us, and eventually when our son was first diagnosed, I used to think about the differences. Autism meant he would be different. And that made me so scared for him. Because I knew the world could be unkind. I would hyper focus at 3 am or while in the shower on all the ‘nevers.’ The differences. The worries that would drop me to my knees. He may never talk. He may never ride a bike. He…
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