For the last few weeks, I have been feeling every one of my 50 years. Motherhood, the job I know I am good at and the one I have always loved, has really been kicking my tail lately. It seems as if all three of my darlings are experiencing growing pains at the exact same time. The fact that I am the primary parent, while my husband leaves the house for the office each day, … [Read more...]
3 Life Lessons My Dishwasher Taught Me
Five years ago I stepped into my kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before the kids came home from school and was greeted with a flood of almost biblical proportions. My seven-year-old dishwasher was the cause. Once it was declared officially dead a few days later, Joe and I went out and bought a new one. Little did I know that my brand new, and not inexpensive, appliance would … [Read more...]
Reality Check
Lately I have taken to telling my 10-year-old that although it’s perfectly fine for him not to like to do something, such as homework or cleaning his room, he still has to do it. Well apparently I have to start taking my own advice because I am on my third warning from my daughter’s special education teacher about getting in the (dreaded) Parent Intake Form. … [Read more...]
My Daughter is More Than a Word
When my son Tom was eight, he needed a tooth pulled. Or as the pediatric dentist we went to said, “wiggled out.” “Mom, that means he’s pulling my tooth out, yes?” “Yes, Tom.” Then the dentist went to give him a shot of “silly juice,” which would make his mouth feel “funny.” “Mom, that’s Novocaine, right? And, my mouth is going to feel numb, right?” “Yes, … [Read more...]
Some Days
Some days raising a child with significant special needs means witnessing miracles. Simple things that most parents would take for granted become landmarks. If Lizzy answers me when I ask her what dress she would like to wear, or spontaneously lets me know she likes the strawberry ice cream she is eating, that’s a big deal. Some days it feels as if my heart is being torn out … [Read more...]
