It's a new year - out with the old, in with the new ... ahem, unless you've got a kid on the spectrum! For these kiddos, it's routine, structure, and all things familiar every day. The same old - same old helps keep life on an even keel. (Along with keeping the peace and sanity intact!). Or so I thought. I'm the polar opposite of my son ... spontaneous, random, adventure-loving ... enjoying spur-of-the-moment-let's-just-do-it kinds of activities. Sigh. Sometimes I miss that.
I've tried not to put our son in a bubble, or build a world around him that will leave him dependent and totally helpless to break out someday. If he struggles with something, I try to find constructive ways to get him develop skills to to be an over-comer. I try to look at every struggle, every conflict, every set-back - even the failures as a learning opportunity for growth and progress.
Keeping an eye on the future, I'm determined to keep gently, but firmly nudging him toward more and more independence. It's a task that often puts me outside my comfort zone! It's hard work being mom to a kid bound and determined to stay set in rigid and inflexible routines. Kind of like a work-out minus the serotonin boosting benefits...some days leaving me feeling drained, out of shape, and out of sorts!
Oh, but the joys of seeing change and progress come through these sometimes agonizing and endless efforts! There's no feeling quite like it when he is finally doing something I have spent weeks, month - even years trying to get him to do (or stop doing). I want to experience more of these moments this year. It will be hard work, but so worth the time and effort it will take.
I've tried not to put our son in a bubble, or build a world around him that will leave him dependent and totally helpless to break out someday. If he struggles with something, I try to find constructive ways to get him develop skills to to be an over-comer. I try to look at every struggle, every conflict, every set-back - even the failures as a learning opportunity for growth and progress.
Keeping an eye on the future, I'm determined to keep gently, but firmly nudging him toward more and more independence. It's a task that often puts me outside my comfort zone! It's hard work being mom to a kid bound and determined to stay set in rigid and inflexible routines. Kind of like a work-out minus the serotonin boosting benefits...some days leaving me feeling drained, out of shape, and out of sorts!
Oh, but the joys of seeing change and progress come through these sometimes agonizing and endless efforts! There's no feeling quite like it when he is finally doing something I have spent weeks, month - even years trying to get him to do (or stop doing). I want to experience more of these moments this year. It will be hard work, but so worth the time and effort it will take.
I'm believing God for miracles this year. I have so much to be thankful for, a husband who loves and adores our son. Who loves me and gives me room to pursue my dreams...who makes it possible for me to get breaks and valuable "me-time." A son who tells me I'm "the best mommy in the whole world." Friends I can call who understand exactly what I'm going through without a whole lot of explanation. Best of all, God, who is the greatest friend I've ever had, is beside me each day, every step along the way. His promises are so exciting...filling me up with hope! Thank God for hope, and thank God for his promises.
RSS Feed