Posts Tagged ‘brother’
A Letter to My “Typical” Son
Dear Eli, You are such a blessing to our family. You came into this world as a teeny tiny miracle. You arrived 6 weeks early. Those first few weeks were so hard. I ached to have you home. The house felt so incomplete without you there. Since the day you came home, you became mommy’s baby boy. You were a miracle in so many ways. Not only were you our little preemie but you also were our first child that was typical. You made us so happy with every word…
Read MoreWhat it Stole From Us
I stand in the shower and let the scalding hot water burn my skin. The first quiet moments of day. I take a deep breath. And let it out slowly. I give myself the grace to feel and think about what it stole from us. The grace every parent should give themselves every now and then. Of course we shouldn’t dwell there. But it’s okay to visit now and then when it is warranted. Especially on days like Christmas. And birthdays. And other milestones. As the water burns my back,…
Read MoreTelling My Daughter her Brother has Autism
My daughter was six when my son was born. We spoke about what it would be like when the baby was born We talked about how things might change for a short time and that it doesn’t change how much I love her and that my time may be a little bit unfairly split for a while as babies need a lot of attention. He came along and she was in love with him. From the moment she got in the car from school she always asked how he’d been…
Read MoreI’m Thankful For You: My Son, The Best Big Brother
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Carrie Indelicato and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) I want to tell you about the best big brother in the whole wide world, my oldest son Danny. From the moment Danny saw his baby brother Aaron he was in love! I would often come into Aaron’s room in the morning only to find Danny had gotten there first, talking to his baby brother through the slats in his crib. Whether he was planting a kiss on Aaron’s big, irresistible…
Read MoreA Conversation with Cooper’s Brother
Last night I was putting my four year old to bed after a particularity hard autism day. I’m to the point in our journey where I can openly admit when autism is hard. I can also admit when motherhood in general is hard. I have two amazing kids. Cooper, my funny, silly, train loving boy, who has autism, is six years old. And his brother Sawyer, is my energetic, smart, curious four year old. Together, they are the perfect storm of joy and chaos. Yesterday, Jamie and I had reached…
Read MoreI’m Thankful For You: My Son Parker
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Alyssa Hartwell and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to thank my son Parker. There are so many people in my family’s life that I am thankful for but before I get to my specific thank you, I want to tell you a little bit about our family. First, we are from Canada. My husband, Steve, and I are parents to three beautiful boys. Parker is five, Aiden is almost three, and Finn just turned…
Read MoreI Will Carry Cooper For You Mom
Sawyer has started this new thing where he makes sure Cooper is included in everything we do. I’ll say…’we are going swimming tomorrow’. And he will immediately say…’can Cooper go too?’ It’s adorable. And most times the answer is yes. ‘Of course your brother can go.’ But sometimes there are things that Cooper simply cannot do. Sawyer has a memory of going to the fair last summer that he talks about often. Last night he asked me….’MOM, can we go to the fair soon?’ And I said…’yes, but we have…
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