Tag: advice

Understanding Autism

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Being a parent can be very difficult especially if you add autism to the mix. For me that is a challenge, one I am not too fond of. Today I find out if my third son is on the spectrum, which in a Way makes me nervous. If he is diagnosed that will make it three for three. I have five kids, three boys and two girls. None of my boys have escaped the burden of autism so far and the first screening we had with our last was not good at all.

It is so discouraging at times to watch my sons struggle everyday. My nine year old struggles the most and it just breaks my heart. Knowing that he gets bullied at school doesn’t help at all either. It is definitely a hard transition for my babies when it comes to interacting with their peers, strangers, or other social experiences. It’s sad to watch them get overwhelmed when I take them out into the store knowing many are probably viewing him as a bad kid and not one that needs comfort and understanding.

My goal here is to help bring awareness for Autism. So many don’t understand it!!! I hate when people say ‘they don’t look autistic’, well no duh, Autism is so much more involved. Every child, adult, person is different on the spectrum. First ask questions, do research but don’t judge. Until you know the struggle and heartache just pray and be more understanding. Also feel free to check out my website, The Family Way

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Can’t Believe it is Almost Fall

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Fall is literally around the corner. Yikes! It seems like just yesterday we were just abandoning winter for Spring and summer. Time is truly flying like it normally does. Kids are back in school, normalcy is starting to arrive once again. Too funny on my part though, I am absolutely not used to the quiet that is going on in my house. Usually I have five and now only two at home because the rest are back in school. It is funny, there are days where I even feel out of place because I am so used to the madness.

Looks like I am going to be getting back into my freelancing and novel writing again. During the summer it seems like my groove just gets thrown off. So looking forward to the holiday season too. This is literally my favorite time of the year. The decorations, emotions, and all together awesomeness of Fall is absolutely epic in my book!

Here are some pics to brighten your day!

Your Journey as a Writer

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Writing a novel is a lot more complicated than it seems, or for me it is.  Of course, I am one of those people that love to just go with the story, never really been great at planning when it comes to putting a story line together.  Billy on the other hand is great at that though.  In a way though, I do find it very therapeutic, when upset about something.

I started my writing journey six years ago, mostly I did a lot of freelance work but I have also been working on a novel as well during my free time.  Publishing an e-book has become the new trend.  It is so much easier to go through Amazon or Barnes and Noble to publish a book than it is going through an actual publisher.

If interested in starting a writing career I have dedicated Pinterest boards to help give you a starting point that will help you establish a solid foundation to lean on.  Writing has become a new working point for Stay at Home moms.  It is something that is flexible and easy to get into also.  There are so many opportunities out there for moms that want to work from home, I have devoted a lot of my free time to researching ways to help other moms find what they are looking for so that they too can be able to stay at home with their kids.  Here are links to some of my boards that will help:

List of Boards

Freelancing Board/ Work from Home

Stay at Home Mom Board

Book Writing Board

I hope this helps and if you do find yourself interested in starting a Novel that’s great!  It really is a fun way to express yourself through your writing and surely is bound to bring out your creativity as well.  🙂  Feel free to check out my Pinterest account, it is filled with so much fun and useful boards meant for the whole family.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, can’t believe we are so close to Fall already! Yikes, time is flying.

 

 

Publishing a Book

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Today I am really working hard to publish one of my ebooks that I have been working on. I’ve got a lot to do but I am feeling confident that I will finish by the end of the day. Publishing a book is not as simple as I thought. To be honest I love writing, hate editing, and well yeah I am sure you get it. Billy, my husband, thinks it’s funny because it has taken me this long to even get a book out.

Right now I am just spending time with the kids while an AT&T technician works on our internet. It has not been user friendly at all for over a month which has also caused me a lot of time as well. Hoping it will be back up soon!

To be honest it has been nice to take a break from the digital world. I can’t say my kids agree but it definitely has encouraged them to be more adventurous! It has forced them to use their imagination and has pushed me to get tons done around the house. There is a lesson to come from this too! It is so easy to get caught up with our digital devices that we forget what’s truly important in life. Hope everyone is having an amazing Wednesday! Feel free to comment below as well 🙂

Interesting Movie

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Last night me and Billy had a movie night at the house. It’s a tradition when the kids go to sleep that we spend time with each other either playing board games, talking, Bible Study, or even Movie Nights. We decided on Escape Plan!! Such a great movie, it really had my mind going. Scary thought that their are people who could possibly be that smart savvy to figure out how to break out of every prison built by man. It was definitely interesting and I do recommend it for a date night for couples! Not recommended for kids though! Hope everyone is having a great day. Here is the trailer below!

www.youtube.com/watch

You are their Hero

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It’s a funny thing, our children are truly the product of our own habits and behaviors.  We are their example to society and how they grow into adulthood.  My children range from the ages of four months to nine years, big difference when it comes to personalities for all of them.  I have noticed some traits that have been picked up that have really made me change how I deal with my children.  Even when I was teaching I noticed how children would respond based on my reaction to the situation that was placed in front of me.

Children are so resilient compared to us adults, thank goodness for that too.  For example children learn and adapt quicker which is why the experts say to intervene now and teach them the right way to act.  Sometimes I have to really catch myself on how to respond to a situation so I can better help my child than give into my frustration, which can really be a challenge when you are already at your breaking point.  We as Parents can have bad habits some we need to break when we have children, like curse words or shutting your child out.  This does your child no good and ends up putting up a wall between you and your child.

When I got pregnant for the first time I was told by many wise ladies to not befriend my children but to parent them.  This is so true, I am not my children’s best friend, I am their mother.  As their mother I love them unconditionally and protect them with all I have.  It is my job to teach them to grow into respectful well-mannered adults.  It’s not the school’s job, the grandparents’ job, or anyone else’s job either.  It’s okay to hurt your child’s feelings by disciplining them or getting on to them when they have done something wrong.  They need that structured environment to thrive, they need boundaries to feel safe and secure.  Always remember you are their superhero, you are their role model in life.

Managing the Chaos

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Managing stress can be a difficult task, especially if you have a lot of factors contributing it!  Finding ways to help alleviate the anxiety and overwhelming feeling of stress can be a great way of overcoming it.   Recently baking has been my stress outlet, I have been making a lot of different kinds of muffins.  It seems like they are a hit considering when I do bake them they vanish.  Baking cookies also has been a delight to try.  It’s fun to experiment in the kitchen, I just love making new creations.  It is also a good way to connect with your little ones as well.

There are so many ways to bring on stress and so many ways to counteract it also.  Sitting down and playing games, coloring pictures, and silly songs with your little ones can really help you zone into a more calming attitude.  Find a hobby, go out and see friends, take chances, and embrace life to the fullest.  No matter how much stress is on your plate your situation is only temporary.

The Little Things

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mommy and jewelLast year was full of adventures just like this year is starting to blossom.  We brought in the New Year with our newest addition to our growing family, Jewel Florence Bennett, who was born January 15th.  Having five kids has definitely taught me that patience is a definite necessity to keeping a cool on the craziest of moments.  Personally it is such a joy as a mother to see all my kids be so attentive and active with each other.

Change has never been my strength which has been something I have been having to deal with for the last three years.  I feel like I have grown and matured so much from all the hurdles that we as a family have had to endure.  Losing loved ones, illness, and many other struggles have really pushed us in so many directions but in the end God has brought us through all these tough times.

I have really enjoyed learning and growing from everything I have personally have had to face over the last few years.  Taking one day at a time is a true benefit that most of us don’t take advantage of.  I learned the hard way that stressing over things that are out of my control or are far off will only bring stress and emotionally drain me causing me to be apathetic at times.

Enjoying the time you have with your family, laughing at the funny and crazy moments, embracing the difficult and trying times, and giving your all is what life should be all about.  Watching my kids play, being silly, making and discovering new things, making memories, and just being kids is what reminds me of how blessed I am.  It also reminds me that I should take it all in because time doesn’t stand still, it passes so quickly.  If we worry about the little stuff and stress we are going to miss out on the greatest moments that are right in front of us.

 

Time

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Parenting can be a live comedy!  Daily I find humor in the little things that arise during our day!  Kids have a way about bringing laughter and joy when everything else seems complicated and overwhelming.  It is true, when you become a parent you really don’t have a dull moment in your life no more. Always expect the unexpected, especially if you have a toddler at home.  They will definitely bring the best out of us parents when they decide to get into mischief.   It is a priveledge and joy to watch my kids grow, try things, experience life, and embrace the difficult trials because memories are being made.  Enjoy your little ones, take time to notice and compliment the good.  Time is not a luxury it is a gift that should be taken with care!  

101 Parenting

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Ha…Parenting!  Definitely full of lovely surprises!  Always keeping me on my toes that is for sure.  It seems like time is just flying as every day passes by.  When you are a child time just seems to drag but as an adult time flies faster than a speeding bullet.

Sometimes I catch myself missing out on all the beautiful little things because I let myself get to distracted by everything else.  It is so important to take the time to spend with you little ones even if it seems like there is so much on your plate.  MAKE THE TIME.  IT CAN’T BE REPLACED!

Always remember no matter how stressed out you get with all the crazy unexpected moments that one day you will laugh and enjoy those moments just like the rest.  Enjoy parenting, own it, and take it day by day…. or minute by minute!