Parenting a child with special needs is making plans and being pleasantly surprised if they actually work out. But still being disappointed when they don’t. It’s going to the party but never getting out of the car. It’s taking turns with your partner to navigate a meltdown. It’s unexpected tantrums. Defiance. Triggers. Depression. Anxiety. Sensory…
My Kids Need A Summer Break
This summer, I want to put the “break” back in summer break for my kids. Imagine how tired our kids are come June. Full days of mostly sitting behind a desk, trying to control their wiggly bodies. A 15 minute recess here and there to get out the wiggles before back to the desks with…
Dear World, Please
Dear world, please give my child and me grace. Please don’t judge or shame or make us the talk of your whispers. Please give my child and me as his parent the benefit of the doubt. You don’t see our pain and struggles. You don’t know the work we do every day. Please recognize that…
Our Kids Need Our Empathy
“I just never feel satisfied with anything” my child said and I immediately stopped what I was doing and sat on the floor next to him. “Me too, baby,” I said as I looked him straight in the eyes. “I’m the same way.” No deflecting. No pretending like I didn’t hear him. No toxic positivity….
When It Comes To Our Kids, Never Assume
You know what they say about the word assume, don’t you? When you assume you make an ass out of you and me. I have learned how important it is to let go of assumptions in raising kids. So many preconceived notions about who these kids would be. And they continue to show me every…
I Don’t Want My Kids To “Just Be Happy”
Perhaps it’s time to retire the “I just want my kids to be happy” narrative. Something I have learned in life is that it’s not even realistic. Nobody can be happy all the time. And even if we could, would we then understand the value of happiness? Would we appreciate it or just expect it?…
What I Want You To Know About Parenting A Child With Autism
April is Autism Awareness month and here’s what I’ve learned about having a child with autism in the year since his diagnosis. 1. He is exactly the way he was meant to be. His autism is part of his gifts. He’s sensitive, creative, curious and strong willed and it’s all exactly right. 2. The only…
Our Kids Are Listening: Part 2
Our kids are listening. They hear you talk about what you really think about their school teacher. They know what you say about their aunt when you leave the family gathering. They know what you think about someone who looks or acts differently because they heard the way you giggled or sneered about that person…
My Wild Child Lives Hard And Loves Hard
My wild child is worth all of it. The tantrums, the fights, the power struggles…. dear Lord, the power struggles. If there is a boundary, my son will find it. Some days he will tip toe over it. Other days he will bulldoze right on through. He tests my anxiety more than it’s ever been…
People May Say You’re A ‘Hard Child,’ But You Are Exactly Enough
People call you a ‘hard’ child, but you’re the softest child I know. It comes across as anger and tantrums, but I know deep inside it’s a projection of fear. Your anxiety pulls at you constantly, and it pains me to see you feel the hard feelings a 7 year old shouldn’t have to feel…
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