Thirteen years ago a little baby girl with a head full of thick black hair made her way into the world. She screamed so loud that when we told the doctor her name, he looked up and said, “Elizabeth is too demure a name for such a noisy little girl.” Six weeks later I was cuddling my daughter when I looked down at her and experienced a panic that I’d never had before or … [Read more...]
The Princess and the Parent Intake Form
The clock said 2:30. I took a sip of tea and did my best to enjoy the remaining moments of calm before the kids started coming home from school. Then the phone rang. A sweet, young voice was on the other end. It was a psychologist from our daughter Lizzy’s school. Usually I panic whenever one of the kids’ schools call. This time I didn’t ask if all was well with Lizzy. … [Read more...]
The Kindness of Strangers
When you’re the parent of a special needs child, learning to handle the looks and stares of strangers becomes an important part of the job. For years, I was very self conscious and would go out of my way to smile and educate people whenever I noticed someone staring at my daughter. Then I went through a period where I was impatient, even nasty, if I detected the slightest … [Read more...]
Barbie, My Daughter and Me
Each time I open one of my kid’s lunch bags, I feel like a TV executive looking over the latest Nielsen ratings. The goldfish are gone—yea, we have a hit. The popcorn looked like a sure-fire winner yet it was untouched. Pull it. I am ruthless. I can’t waste time and money on a snack that doesn’t score. As a mom, I have to make quick decisions every day. Many are no more … [Read more...]
It’s All Good
The other day my daughter LIzzy and I were out to lunch with my parents. I was having so much fun watching her tell our favorite waitress what she wanted to order. “That one” Lizzy proudly says as she points to the macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. This is the whole reason we’re having lunch at Friendly’s instead of someplace my parents and I would find a bit more … [Read more...]
