Do you ever just stop and look at your children and think: “Dude. I’m your mom. And you’re my kid. How cool is that?” That’s where I’m at today. It caught me off guard this morning. I glanced over at my boys and it was as if I were looking at them for the very…
Still Standing
I first noticed her as soon as we arrived. We were spending the day at a local event for autism families; an annual picnic where strangers help chase down bolting kids without having to be asked and there’s no shortage of glorious hand flapping. There was nothing remarkable about her really, at least, not at…
Advocacy and Asshats
Sometimes, I’m tired. Sometimes, there are days when I don’t want to put on my big girl panties and my Cloak of Advocacy (which, if you must know, is made of the softest velvet and the perfect shade of green to accentuate my eyes) and go out into the real world and shake my fist…
For a Second I Forgot Just How Different They Really Are
Yesterday I took my younger son Ian to a doctor’s appointment. I arrived early, knowing I was going to be subjected to a stack of paperwork that would take me ages to fill out. Except it didn’t: I forget sometimes. I forget just how vastly different the lives of my two sons are. I mean,…
We Are Special Needs Parents
We discuss our children’s diagnosis and challenges like most parents discuss refrigerator art or the dangers of Tonka toys cluttering the hallways. We know better than to fill up our calendars with permanent marker; we prefer pencil instead. We linger just a little bit longer when we hug, because so often those extra five seconds…
Everyone Deserves (Another) Chance to Learn the Alphabet
It was one of those mornings: too much to do in too little time, and I found myself feeling slightly annoyed as I joined the back of a long line at my local overcrowded Starbucks. Extra foam. No whip. Triple shot. Not too hot. Not too cold. Nonfat. 2%. Soy. Every single order seemed more…
2013 Parents Blog Awards: I’m a Finalist! Now Go Vote for Me!
I don’t often ask for much in the way of favors around here, but seeing as how you’ve been hanging around rent-free for so long, I think it’s high time you earned your keep and did me a solid, don’t you? I’m one of five finalists in the “Most likely to have you reaching for…