Be honest. Even if you didn’t say that out loud, you’ve thought it at least once! Yet, the primary “care-giver” really does have the need to leave home, leave town, and leave their child behind from time to time. Perhaps we need to leave our child behind (not in the sense that they’re taking off for good), but in the sense that something else besides our child is calling for our attention. Maybe … [Read more...]
The Goodbye Salute: Noah Transitions to Middle School
In the gymnasium at North Bend Elementary, a smallish school in a mostly agrarian county in northeast Maryland, we parents sat packed together in tight rows. We were prepping for a transition. In the front of the gym, on the floor, were rows of children from kindergarten through fourth grade. They were present as witnesses to this celebration of the fifth graders. Today, the school would laud … [Read more...]
How to Peacefully Raise and Release Your Special-Needs Child
I just texted these words to my 23-year old daughter who has autism. “Hi. I haven’t talked to you in a week. How are things?” Katie lives across town in a little house by herself. She loves it. It seems to be working for the whole family, but such a casual interaction with my child seems strange. It would be normal for a typical family, but I feel like I'm missing something. Reacting like a … [Read more...]
Schools Over, Now What?
Do you stress over when school ends and you have no idea what your child will do over the summer? Do you worry how you will pay for that special camp? Are you nervous about not finding a "special" camp? Are you afraid they will forget what they have been learning? Well, I have a confession. I do this sometimes. My son just finished his 7th-grade year and now he had his first day of … [Read more...]
Rescue from a Sea of Stress
This is a story of rescue from a sea of stress... As so often happens, the Scripture readings in today’s daily devotional don’t just speak to my heart, they SHOUT OUT LOUD. From Psalm 88: “I am overwhelmed with troubles…” My husband Wally and I have known for a few weeks that our 31-year-old son’s day program is closing its doors next March. Day programs that fit Joel’s unique … [Read more...]
Searching for an Oasis of Peace
A few nights ago, my father came over for dinner. Even though we have far too much on plate on any given day, we’re the only family who lives close-by so we try to spend time with him at least once a week, which just seems like the right thing to do since he is 99. As I sat down to a slice of Costco pizza (not a gourmet feast by any stretch), I yawned quite forcefully. My father innocently asked … [Read more...]