Aug 02 2008
Everyone has a Story! Meet Jen and her family!
I am a firm believer that laughter is the best medicine and when you have a child with special needs, you need to laugh….. a lot!!
This is how I get through my days and in reading Jen’s blog today, I realize that she, too, can find humor in her life when those on the outside would find it completely chaotic!
In Jen’s Humble Opinion she talks about her life as a mom of boys with special needs and her plight to home-school her sons.
She has some great stories there about her life and I encourage everyone to visit! You might get a good laugh and you will probably at some point be nodding your head (like I was) and saying, “Yes…. I’ve been there!”
So, for Jen’s story, I have actually combined two posts in one! Both were great and I know these will have you nodding your head in agreement and laughing along the way!
We’re suppose to pick one out of three meme’s to write about on the Slice of Life blog. Please stop by Slice of Life and find out her plans of publishing some of the memes in a book. If you would like to join in, then please do!
Every day is unusual around here. At least that is what people tell me; weird, unusual, strange, that`s a new one, how do you do it?
Living in a house with special needs does bring challenges. We don`t live like the average person. I picture an every day family getting up and making lunches and getting dressed and brushing teeth to head off to babysitters` houses and work. Two parent incomes or that one parent working two jobs to make ends meet. That evening car pooling to whatever extra curricular activity. Full of busyness and adventure in the average family`s house.
We have things a little different at this house. Every time we plan an outing it`s not just `where do we meet`and `do you want us to bring a dish?` and `what time do you want us to be there?`. We also have to think of `how many people are going?`, `will this affect allergies?`, `will this cause issues with sensitivities?`, `can we afford this on one income?`, `is this something my child will benefit from?`, `is there something my child can do while we visit?`,`will this cause issues later on?`, `do we have the energy to run around?`, `what medications do we need to bring?`, `did everyone get enough sleep?`, `are we going to be boxed in with the car so we can`t leave if we need too?`, `are the people going understanding of their individual needs?`, `are we in an enclosed room or outdoors?`, `what kind of scents, noises, echoes, foods, etc…are going to be there?`, is there a routine to follow or not?`, `what kind of supervision will there be?`, `can we have our cell phones on?`, and I don`t even want to discuss over-night stays!!
To read the rest of that story go here
2. I thought I was Invincible
I was invincible until I found it what it was like too:
1. unplug a toilet from a whole roll of toilet paper
2. wash pants with pockets full of worms
3. stood on a chair stacked with books to untie paper airplanes from the ceiling fan
4. cleaned out the fridge and had a 6 year old yelling at me for throwing out a mold culture
5. carrying a giant child with a little boo boo on his knee
6. running after a two wheeler and wheezing
7. finding a jar full of spiders in my sock drawer
8. being picked up by my son instead of the other way around
9. dragging a screaming child through the store
10. reading a story and being whacked in the face repetitively by an arm tic (tourette’s)
11. trying to wean a child from the soother
12. crying when my son was crying
13. hugging the emotional pain away
14. being afraid when they fear
15. trying to show confidence when they try something new
16. cleaning up after a painting project
17. getting soaked by a child with the water hose
18. being asked if where babies come from
19. saying no for the first time and the second and the…
20. being an advocate when nobody would
21. reaching for the impossible
22. the first time the doctor told me their special needs
23. realizing my children are still perfect in their own way
24. dealing with temper tantrums
25. taking pictures of that moment where your heart just melts with love
T with his cat J on his 14th birthday
I had no idea how much love can hurt but I wouldn’t trade this in for nothing. There isn’t a bigger blessing for me. There isn’t something better out there. Being a Mom has been the biggest and best journey and I never want it to end.
I’m not invincible, I’m vulnerable and I’m thankful.
Jen also has written a book for children about homeschooling.
If you would like to order this book, you can go here to read a few pages and find out how you can order it!
Thank you Jen for sharing a glimpse of your life with us! Keep on writing and keep on keeping on! You are doing a great job!
