We didn’t know what to think of him. Who was this young man, and why was he hanging around our campsite? For the last 7 years, my family has joined a close-knit group of families to camp on Memorial Day weekend. We have become more than close during those years, watching our kids grow from preschool age to adolescents. We have shared laughter, tears, trials and triumphs. These three-day … [Read more...]
Help! We Need an Advocate!
About this time, many parents of special needs kids get a little weary, especially in the school year. The pressure to keep up with the schedules, the school tasks, the assignments. We have a lot on our plates, don't we? Parents need to be the voice for their children, right? But about this time in the year, my voice seems weak, tired and near faint. When I don't have any strength left, I need … [Read more...]
Go into Their World and Love Them Where They Are
I remember so vividly Alec's difficult toddler days. My son had less than a handful of words. The days were a series of one tantrum after another. I was a stressed-out mother on the brink of a personal meltdown of my own. Oh, yes, I remember those days. I loved my son desperately, but hadn't a clue how to help him. I obsessively scoured every piece of advice I could find from any expert … [Read more...]
One New Habit That has Entirely Changed My Life
I've added one small habit to my day that has entirely changed my life. Seriously. No, it isn't jumping out of bed to do the latest 5 minute exercise fad. It isn't chugging down a veggie-packed juice recipe or learning to use the latest productivity app. Amazingly, it's so easy that I am asking myself why I didn't start doing this simple thing long ago. But how can one small thing—something … [Read more...]
The Power in Your Story
I remember the feeling of awe I had when I first connected to the Internet in the mid 1990's. I was amazed that suddenly I could connect with people from all over the world. I began blogging about my families' journey with autism in 2004, and I did it simply to record our story. I wanted to have a way to look back and be encouraged by Alec's progress whenever I was having a hard day. I never … [Read more...]
Laying Down My Isaacs on the First Day of School
The first day of school was today. I load up my two kids with book bags, lunches and enough school supplies to make a mule stagger. My daughter walks to the bus stop on on her own. (It's soooo not cool, you know, for mom to tag along to the bus stop.) I watch her, forehead to glass, from our upstairs window. She turns three times to look back with a strange smile on her face, a mix of … [Read more...]