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Autism…Not for the weak!

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Autism…yeah….Autism. It seems like it has become the latest news these days!  It has become a wide-spread issue among our children, one that most of us hope we never have to face.  I have seen and have heard some sorrowful stories due to the disorder of Autism.  In many ways though Autism is misunderstood.  I have two sons with Autism.  So yes I get the frustration that goes along with it.  Both of my two sons definitely are mild to moderate but I have had a taste of the pain some families have faced and still face today.

Timothy my oldest didn’t talk until he was four years of age, it was a trying time for me and my husband as we searched for answers.  We didn’t know something was wrong with him at the time.  He was our first so we thought it was us.  We heard advice and negative remarks from many different people and it broke us.  Hearing that you are doing it wrong and if you don’t do this or that then your causing the problem.  Yeah well let me break it down for you…Autism is not the Parent’s fault.  These kids are beautiful, they see the world differently.  They embrace life differently.  The way they learn is different from how you and me think.

I hate when I hear someone say “Who diagnosed him? He doesn’t look like he is on the spectrum at all?!”  Well I hate to say it…Autism effects everyone differently.  They don’t live with it, they don’t have to wake-up and see the struggle.  Yes the times you do see my child you may not see it but its there and it doesn’t matter what others think.

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Parents of Children with Autism, remember they are special and are beautifully made.  Every child is unique and they all develop at their own pace.  I have come to peace with my children’s diagnosis but I want there to be AWARENESS.  That is key.  Many don’t get it, or understand it.  That is the problem these days and why we are seeing so much debate and frustration over the matter.

Also we should fight for our schools!  We need more AWARENESS there too!  Teachers need to be taught how to deal with a child on the spectrum without calling them a problem child.  These kids are not problem children!  They are overstimulated and need extra support.  Remember Autism Awareness is key!

I am SuperMom Hear my WORDS!

Bennett18Leave a comment

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As you know being a parent can be a challenging task.  Yep. Most likely everyday!  For instance when you hear the word “Mom…Mom…Mom…Mom…MOM!!!”  over and over again.  Don’t get me wrong I love hearing my name called but when you hear your name and you know that there is a whine behind your name….yeah…that’s the part of parenting I start to really really dislike.  I think its true when they say nagging is definitely a trait passed on to your young ones.

I know my kids take after me.  They are head strong and curious…two strong traits that can lead to a lot of interesting turn of events.  For instance the time when Timothy and Shirley got locked in the car and just sat there as I tried my very best to figure out how I was going to get them out.  Yep. That happened.  Kids. They have their moments…but they take after the ones they call “MOM” and “DAD”.  We tend to forget the younger years because of the hustle and bustle of adulthood.

Today I had a thought. We are Super Heroes.  I never really thought about that but as a parent I now get it.  Being a parent makes me a super hero.  We are the light to our child’s eyes.  They don’t see the bitterness, the pain, and the bad like we do.  We fix everything, we make things right.  I love this and feel now that we have been looking at parenthood in the wrong way.  WE ARE SUPER HEROES.  We fix the problems.  We kiss their booboos.  We tell them its going to be okay even when it grim.  So parents hold your head high, we are the light to the bad.  I never thought about it but we are the examples and we are the ones that make them feel safe.  Embrace parenthood, remember even if you are having a bad day, you have the love of your child.  You are golden to them and will always be.

Always remember your words are extremely important.  “I Love You” are the three most powerful words a child can hear!

On a Rainy Day!

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Rain Rain Go AWAY, Come Again Another Day…. We all know that song way to well from our own childhood. When we were kids that was a song heard loudly among our peers on those dreary rainy days we often dreaded.  Well today is the day that I am now playing that song in my head silently as the rain pours outside.

I have learned that no matter how hard you try to plan for a rainy day when you have kids nothing ever goes according to plan. Finding activities can be interesting especially when you have children under the age of ten years, in my case that makes four!

Between me multi-tasking and trying to keep the peace they all (referring to the kids) have managed to pull out everything in existence and some in the house… Kids they can find anything even the things you don’t want them to find and for us parents that can be a real challenge especially because the summer is upon us. Rainy days have become a problem, like this week here in Wichita they are saying rain ALL week long. Yeah that is going to be super fun (as I write this post in sarcasm) the kids are fighting over a plastic Easter egg… The joys of sibling rivalry???!

Oh yes…Rainy Days! It looks like me and the kiddos are going to be tackling this weather with a few inside activities!  The best way to deal with a day like this is to enjoy that valuable time with your kids if able. Read a book. Write. Do some crafts!

Here are a few fun activities that have been really helpful for me when I am stuck in the house with ALL four of my kids.

1. Sing Silly Songs… the three year old loves this one!

2. Read books- My older two favor this activity due to the silliness of the story or the creativity that goes into the effort of telling a story.

3. Baking YUMMY treats!- No kid can deny they don’t love baking with Mommy 😉

4. Playing Board Games

There are so many creative ways to pass the time. It may seem hectic at times but remember no matter how trying the day can get on a rainy day try and take a deep breath and try something different even if it is out of your comfort zone. Kids are resilient and usually don’t notice when you are out of your comfort zone. Have fun, be creative, and let loose!!!

Communication is Key 

This is the excerpt for your very first post.

Bennett18Leave a comment

Parenthood is never easy, there’s always going to be hills to climb and obstacles to avoid.  Communication seems to be my biggest issue when it comes to parenting. For example as the parent of four the thought of communication goes right out the window either due to kids yelling, throwing fits, and mommy pulling her hair out lol!!!

I am far from perfect.  Today I realized that we all have major faults as parents we just don’t see it until others point the flaws out.  We become blind-sided by our comfort.  When we become comfortable with a habit, it becomes hard to break.

Here are some tips that have been working for me over the last few months.  Taking deep breaths and remembering to take in the memories and don’t sweat the little stuff has become important…..hard lol…..but important!  Speaking from experience here: Always embrace the moment because time doesn’t slow down.