Deep breath, you think to yourself.  You can do this, you encourage yourself. Breathe in, breath out. You breathe slowly, with determination to calm your brain at this latest hiccup in her life. It should not be this hard to raise a child. You read all the parenting manuals. You have spoken to other moms that you feel are superior and more experienced than you.  You have become an expert, yourself, in learning all what all the medical jargon means.  You have navigated the State forms, the School IEP meetings and Insurance requirements.

Then then pitcher sends you another curve ball and you have to begin all over again. Continue reading →

When your child is young and in school the teachers have a rule: if you send a birthday invitation to one child, all must be included. This is how Bridget got invited to a birthday party where we didn’t know anyone. Continue reading →

There are so many subjects that are very difficult to talk about. Most of us remember being told never to talk politics or religion with friends–it is probably the fastest way to be unfriended. I admit to hating that concept; to even have the idea that we cannot talk about issues. I believe that fear of discourse leads to polarization.

Yet I know I am guilty of that thought process.  There are many topics I won’t even broach with my husband because I know we cannot have a reasonable discussion.  Instead we will each take to our corners and refuse to give an inch. We are always so sure that we are right (hint: I usually am!–Kidding!).  Continue reading →

Have you ever heard of Trunk or Treat? I thought it was a crazy idea, truth be told. I mean really, what kid doesn’t want to roam a neighborhood and go trick or treating? A parking lot seemed (I admit) kind of lame. As with most things, having a Bridget in my life changed my position.

Bridget has never been able to trick or treat with success.  Unless we count her second year, but really she just hung out in the stroller. She was content, if a bit frozen.

Continue reading →

There are not a lot of Halloween books I have ever read Bridget.  She loves the Big Pumpkin, but only when accompanied by the audio book, not in my voice. Then a friend sent me, Black Day by Marcus Sikora.

Continue reading →

Bridget made a friend.

A for real friendship.

One not based on her IEP, her placement in a Special Education class.

A friendship not because her mom told her to be nice to the girl that’s not like the rest of the class. Continue reading →