Read below for a guest post from Sheila Temple. Madison would always answer the cursory questions Dr. Jim asked her. For example: Dr. Jim: How is school going? Madison: Good Dr. Jim: How are you getting along with your friends? Madison: Pretty good Dr. Jim: Are you having any trouble sleeping? Madison: A little Dr. Jim: Today do you feel angry? Madison: Yes This … [Read more...]
For When You Feel Like A Bad Parent
She sat there, big blue eyes brimming with tears, lip quivering. My five year old and I'd been sitting on the couch, reviewing her kindergarten sight words. She was having trouble sitting still, I had trouble giving grace. Why is it a struggle to teach my youngest child something so simple? Maybe it's because I've done the "prep for kindergarten" routine with her three older siblings … [Read more...]
You’re Going To Be Okay
"We can’t selectively numb emotion. Numb the dark and you numb the light." - Brene Brown It's a truth I wanted to unwrite that night. Sinking down onto the kitchen floor, a mob of emotions clamoring for dominance inside me: Humiliation. Exhaustion. Anger. Fear. All I'd wanted was to get some exercise (I know, I know, What's that??!). To skate around the local lake with my kids and provide a … [Read more...]
Mother’s Day: Special (Needs) Edition
It's Mother's Day. The kids run in to my room in the morning, holding treasures made from scratch, meticulously painted, and “wrapped” in a charming child-like way. I scoop them all up in to bed like a pile of puppies, and we snuggle and laugh together until my husband shoos them away and sets down breakfast, complete with bud vase, fresh coffee and my favorite cinnamon roll. Oh wait. That’s not … [Read more...]
The Trick That Saved My Child From Imploding
Slam! She stomps into the house, tossing her bag across the floor with contempt. I lurch upward, nearly dropping my glass of water as she flops hard on the couch next to me. "Another tough day, huh?" I ask, barely suppressing laughter over her outrageous theatrics. "Need a snack?" I ask. She grunts (I think it was supposed to be a "no"). "Need an iPod?" I casually reply. And instantly she's … [Read more...]