Sometimes, raising a child with special needs, there is a constant undercurrent of stress that we don’t even recognize. It takes release of that stress for us to suddenly realize it was there. That’s what happened to me the other day. I hadn’t noticed how much pressure I was under until my daughter was gone. I was half way through my morning shower when the light bulb went on. I don’t have to … [Read more...]
Encouragement For the Days You Forget How Far You’ve Come
"Bye James! Have a good day at school. I love you." "Love you. See you morning." "No, not 'see you in the morning.' It's school time, not bed time." "James do you want an apple?" "Want apple?" "No, say 'yes' or 'no.'" "Yes or no." "No James, say 'yes apple' or 'no apple.'" "Yes or no." Some days I grow weary from the same-ness. From teaching the same lessons. From working on the same … [Read more...]
Transitions and Changes … They Takes Work
Transitions. Changes. I’m sure you can all relate how challenging this can be with our kids. Getting in the car to go somewhere… especially those things not planned. Going back to school after a break. Your child gets a new teacher or para professional. Scheduled to go to the beach and it rains. The technology suddenly stops working. What are some solutions or strategies to help our kids … [Read more...]
Darkness in a Theater
Update: Emily wrote this post in January of 2014 and has a follow-up piece she wrote in April of 2014. You'll want to be sure to read "Love to the Max" to see how Emily's church and community reached out to Max! We came to see a movie. But I never imagined that we would become the entertainment. Patty and I found our pre-assigned seats and sunk into the plush leather, with Max sandwiched … [Read more...]
How I’m getting my instincts back (and you can too).
"Mom?" asked my sixth grade daughter on the way home from school, "Isn't it true you should always trust your instincts?" I stifled a laugh, trying not to let the Diet Coke in my mouth shoot through my nose. Three responses sprung simultaneously to mind: Should you have gone with your instinct to hit your little sister yesterday? Or did that end badly for you? Should you go with your … [Read more...]
How We Define Our Children
Maybe some of you are like me. Raised in a Christian home where I often felt defined by what I didn’t do. Don’t lie, Don’t swear, Don’t steal, Don’t cheat, and Don’t hang around other boys who do. To no surprise, I found that in my early years of parenting two boys with severe autism that I had been guilty of spending more time on the “dont’s“ than the “do’s.” I spent more time … [Read more...]