4 Things to Remember when Traveling with a Child who has Food Aversions
For most, vacations can be a foodie’s dream. Getting to try new cuisine and tasty treats from other parts of the world. Adults and children alike love to sample new dishes and delight in experimenting with new flavors that are not readily available at your own dining room table. That is unless you have a child with food aversions. (I know that adults and children with food allergies also face uphill battles when it comes to finding safe foods, but this article addresses somet
An Autism Diagnosis Did Not Stop Us from Enjoying Family Vacations
We're a family with special needs. We have three boys, and one has autism. With his diagnosis comes sensory issues, food aversions, and a lot of anxiety. He used to have meltdowns, but as he's gotten older, he's grown out of them. Just after we received our son’s autism diagnosis, I began going to mommy-and-me autism groups. The mothers of older kids who were on the spectrum taught me so much about parenting a child with autism. They had “been there, done that” and were able
When It Comes to My Son with Autism, No Victory is Too Small
When my son approached one of his peers at the end of the school day and said, "Bye, Jamie," my heart melted. I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. Not only has my son never shown interest in other children, he has never independently gone out of his way to talk to another child without prompting. As we left the classroom, I gave him a big hug. What a moment! Max struggles in the speech and language department and he has little social communication skills. He is capable of
27 Funny Tweets from Parents who are Already over Summer
If ever there was a season parents favored as much as they feared, it would have to be summer. Popsicles, pool parties, vacations, and long, lazy days spell sweet freedom and even sweeter memories for families. But despite all the vacation vibes and golden tans … boredom, endless snacks, and mega messes have been known to make parents sweat more than the summer heat, itself. Summer may have just began, but for the funny parents of Twitter, losing their cool brings big laughs.
The Story of 'Not Quite' when You're Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum
I’ve been parenting a child with autism for almost 11 years now. For every one of those 11 years, I could have told you there was something different about this child, but it took almost six to find someone to put a finger on just what it was. The thing about parenting a child with autism is it is a never-ending story of not quite. In the beginning it was, "Well your son has some delays, but I think he's just not quite behind enough for it to be anything serious..." When he w
5 Simple Rules for My Family that I Hope will Make a Positive Difference
When my husband became a teacher, he hung a poster up in his classroom detailing “expectations” for his students. They were simple, handwritten sentences that he had me look at, because as a math teacher, spelling is not his forte. I remember being impressed by his reports that despite the fact that his students thought the rules were silly, they responded well to them. Every time students walked into his classroom, they were reminded of the rules. And any time a classroom ru
The Critical Need for Self-Care: The Oxygen Mask Rule
For anyone who has ever flown, the oxygen mask safety speech is a routine part of boarding. Frequently, it falls into the background as we adjust ourselves in preparation for several cramped hours in the sky. But, that speech carries a beautiful message regarding self-care. The Oxygen Mask Rule is simple: if the cabin loses pressure, oxygen masks will fall from above. You are to place yours on yourself before trying to help others. For parents, this may seem rather preposter
We Need to Remember that Communication with Kids is a Two-Way Street
"If you want your kids to tell you the big stuff when they're big, listen to the little stuff when they're little." This piece of advice might just be the most valuable parenting wisdom I’ve ever received. I took it to heart when my kids were young, and now that they are older, I see how important it truly is. We parents often lament that kids don't listen well, but how often do we fail to really listen to our kids? I'm guilty of tuning out, too, so I'm not pointing fingers h
It Can Happen Anywhere: My Daughter's Scary Encounter
We did everything "right," and yet, it still happened. We moved to a neighborhood with thoughtful neighbors and wide, safe streets. We enrolled our kids in a school district known not only for its exemplary teachers but also for its low violence and drug statistics. Our kids know how to dial 9-1-1 and they know how to call a neighbor for help if we aren’t home. Stranger Danger. Scream, kick, and yell for help if someone grabs you. If you're lost, find a mom - she'll help you.
Mothers Know Best: What to Do when Your Child Isn't Cut Out for Organized Sports
My daughter didn't like tee-ball, gymnastics, dance, roller-skating, swimming, and all organized sports. So we found other things to bring out her strengths. I sit and listen to my daughter's pediatrician as he talks about the importance of children with ADHD being involved in organized sports. I think to myself, What if my child isn't interested in sports? I remember the time we tried tee-ball. My child was the one playing in the dirt and distracting the runner from the othe
