The following is done: Christmas letters and cards (and pictures, of course!) went out to be received the day after Thanksgiving! (Always my goal!) Christmas gifts purchased. (Immediate family and a few friends only.) Christmas gifts wrapped or bagged (My homemade fabric ones get reused yearly-so so easy!) and under the tree. Menu for Christmas Eve is planned. (Instead of a meal this … [Read more...]
Thanks for That (I Think)
Advice. Suggestions. How to do it better. Critiques. Verbal attacks. Criticism. Whether you have typically developing children or children with special needs, there are others who seem to have an answer for why your child is misbehaving, not talking or walking on time, or a myriad of other developmental or behavioral issues.….and they tend to be the ones who’ve not dealt with what you’re … [Read more...]
Paperwork, Paperwork, and More Paperwork
Visualize eternity: laundry and the paperwork for one with special needs! The nearly 6” of paperwork in a huge binder traveled with me to most every meeting where our son’s special needs were discussed. Why? Because I wanted every person around the table to recognize and realize that I: Meant business Had my child’s best interest at hand Had everything documented Would have … [Read more...]
Interruptions, Privacy, and Time Alone
“Thundering. Sleep with you?” He’s 40. We move over and he slides into our queen sized bed because we are just too tired to make more of an effort; but if we can muster up the energy, one of us walks him back to his room (upstairs) and will sleep with him for a while until the storm subsides. It might seem weird that a 40 year old will want to be comforted by us; but you must think “age 3”…then it … [Read more...]
THREE Ways I Got the OFFICE STAFF to Hear Me
Waiting. Sitting. Waiting and more sitting seems to be the life of the special needs family. Whether it’s in the doctor’s office, hospital setting for various therapies, or a gazillion other venues for which we can’t just hop in, get in line, and be like most everyone else; waiting is the challenge. The other challenge is getting the office staff not only to hear you but understand you. The … [Read more...]
He Turns 40; We Turned the Unexpected Journey Into a Spirit of Adventure!
Sometimes when I’m driving, my family sees more than for which they bargained. Asked if I’m lost, I’ll say, “No, I’m not lost. I’m on an adventure!” I point to the great view of the parking lot where I just turned around or the scenic views from a series of gas stations where we’ve stopped to ask directions. Sometimes I’m frustrated, but if I’m not too off course or too late, I consider it an … [Read more...]