All kids have milestones that are not in the what to expect (not!) handbook. New moms and dads dream about the first “momma”, the first fish caught and the first time their screaming newborn sleeps through the night.
There are however other milestones they are not aware of and some even I never expected.
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It’s not my fault. I swear that I am to blame for many things. I admit to the fact that my personality, viewpoints and beliefs have changed since becoming a parent. I am definitely more vigilant. Until today I have never tiptoed over the line that separates the typical parents from those that hover. Until today when I became a helicopter mom. Continue reading
I honestly believe that homework is teacher’s revenge for having to deal with children all day. I thought the math homework was bad. Then a few years ago we had our first “project”. Abby had to make a simple machine. Or should I say, David had to make a simple machine that turned into an inclined plane. There were tears, there were arguments and at one point there might have been some vulgar language.
I do not believe that is the intent of the homework project. It is definitely the result. Continue reading
A year ago Bridget and I almost spent Christmas in the hospital. She had been so healthy and then BAM! A week before Christmas she was so sick we almost lost her. Again. That she was discharged on Christmas Eve was all the gift we needed.
2015 has been a good year for Bridget. No hospitalizations. Her doctor’s visits have been uneventful. Kindergarten started and she has made friends. We are merrily living our life and I was just starting to feel like we did not just survive 2015. We triumphed over it. Continue reading
I am usually an optimistic person. It drives my husband crazy that I always look for the silver lining. The truth is, life with Bridget isn’t always easy. Beyond doctor, therapy, school and paperwork there is also just life with a child who cannot express her frustrations.
Recently I was taken aback when I was told that I am doing parents a disservice because I am promoting that having a child with special needs is all sunshine and none of the darkness. I asked if they read more than one of my blog posts, because I tend to vent quite a bit on our struggles. Continue reading
Today I am so very honored to be featured on SheKnows Media, discussing how when you have your first child, they are barely out of the womb before someone will ask when they will have a sibling. I would always say never. I could not imagine sharing the love I had for this child — nor having the patience to deal with another one. For years, I was told I would love both children equally but differently. Five years later when — surprise! — that second child was born, I finally understood what “equal but different” love meant.
To read more, click here
With the holiday craziness (that freaking ELF), we took a short break from the Challenge series. I am so happy that for our first Challenge of the New Year a friend from my real life is willing to share her challenge.
I’ve said it before, but I am always amazed when a friend in real life will share their challenge with the world. Today I would like to introduce you to my friend who has really taught me a lot about finding my voice. As we live in a small town, she prefers to remain anonymous. Please welcome my Beautiful Friend whose extraordinary child presented her with an unexpected challenge.
I believe in autism. I believe that so many families battle autism like warriors. I believe autism can be masked and I believe that autism can be hidden.
I do not think autism can be cured and question that it should be. Continue reading
At the beginning of the summer we took Bridget to see a Specialist 20 hours away from our home in the hopes to find an answer to Bridgetitis. We had gone on a search for our own Dr. House. We allowed them to perform Exome sequencing, where Bridget’s DNA would be (in layman’s terms since I really am not a scientist) broken down and reviewed by computer strand by strand allows the scientist to discover where the gene may have gone awry.
We got the results. Finally. Continue reading
Throw-back Thursday, today to not quite end Down Syndrome Awareness Month I am reposting a blog from October 31, 2013. It is beyond important to raise awareness for what Down Syndrome is and what it is not. This post explains why it is so important to any parent whose child has a special need.
(Un)Diagnosed and still okay 