As a mom I make quick decisions every day. Many are no more important than what to serve for dinner or how much do I want to battle my teenage son over his decision to wear shorts on a winter day. Too often the stakes are higher. I won’t soon forget my decision to give my first son a peanut butter sandwich only to watch him have a severe allergic reaction to it. Or the day … [Read more...]
Sweet 15: Dealing With a Teenage Special Needs Child
“I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.” I heard my soon to be 15-year-old daughter sing my praises from the back seat of our mini-van as I pulled into our driveway the other day. “Well, you know Liz, I’m not that fond of you right now either.” The car was now safely parked, and I heard the swish of her door open. “I hate you, and that’s all there is to it.” My dear … [Read more...]
Praying for a Christmas Miracle
The other day, as the kids and I were driving home from picking up Tom from his after-school club, my youngest said, “Mom, there’s another baby Jesus,” referring to a manger scene on someone’s front lawn. “Oh, that’s great. How many does that make this trip?” “That’s three. Oh, I just saw another one. Four.” “Four, that’s good. I wonder how many more we can find … [Read more...]
When Something Is Wrong With Your Child
I still remember the morning, 14 years ago, when I knew in my soul something wasn’t right with our daughter Lizzy. She was six weeks old and gorgeous. I was enjoying a few lazy moments of cuddling with her in my bed after a feeding. I’m not sure what made me notice it that day, but as I was talking to her, it struck me that she wasn’t looking back at me. That was it, … [Read more...]
It Really Does Take a Village to Raise a Child
It’s that time of year again. A few weeks ago I started getting notes home from my daughter’s special needs school, first reminding, then begging me, to please send in this year’s parent intake form This is the form that asks me questions such as, do I think my special needs daughter will be her own guardian? (No.) Or, what are my hopes for her future? (I have no idea. I … [Read more...]
