Author Archives: Ab

The Road Not Taken

We celebrated my 40th birthday this week and I reflected on what’s happened and the what ifs. T and I recently read a picture book adaptation of Robert Frost’s classic poem “The Road Not Taken,” beautifully illustrated by Vivian Mineker. The poem presents the character, out for a walk in the woods, with a forkContinue reading “The Road Not Taken”

Three Wishes

If a genie gave us an opportunity, would we wish away our child’s invisible disability? I thought about this question all weekend after T and I watched Disney’s Aladdin. On Saturday morning, with a bowl of popcorn, we snuggled on the couch and watched the movie T had recently enjoyed in class. I chuckled whenContinue reading “Three Wishes”

Respite, Rainbow, Recharge

On the theme of R words, this week was about R&R. Rest and recuperation are especially important when raising kids with additional needs and endless energy like T. Our family has been going full speed for the last three months, with unexpected health issues and a return to virtual schooling on top of the regularContinue reading “Respite, Rainbow, Recharge”

(Not) Leaving on a Jet Plane

Facebook kindly reminded me that two years ago, we were on a family vacation. The pandemic put a hold on our family tradition to travel during March Break. March Break has also been deferred this year until April to help curb COVID cases, so T is in school this week. We’re very grateful to beContinue reading “(Not) Leaving on a Jet Plane”

A Change of Scenery

“You’d think we were going to Disneyland,” I thought after T got super excited when I told him we were visiting a different park last Sunday. Like everyone, we’re all feeling so restless about these “Which window am I going to look out of today?” days. So a change of scenery, even if it wasContinue reading “A Change of Scenery”

Reading Award

A thoughtful gesture of recognition brought a wonderful moment of confidence for our T. In addition to his handwriting skills, Team T at school and at home are working hard with him on reading. Reading with T, especially at bedtime, has been a favourite activity since he was a toddler. So many wonderful stories readContinue reading “Reading Award”

Dreaming Of Summer Roadtrips

For our first roadtrip with an 18-months-old T, we naively thought we’d do a 15-hour overnight drive to New Brunswick. After a day at work, we headed off at 8 pm. That was how the hubby and I used to roll. We did the long drive to his parents’ cottage overnight, taking turns, drinking lotsContinue reading “Dreaming Of Summer Roadtrips”

Making Positive Parenting Work For Our Family

One time, after I responded to T’s tantrum in not-the-most dignified way, the hubby asked, “So how’s that positive parenting going?” As I chopped vegetables, I told him to leave the kitchen or I was positively going to stab him. There are countless resources that describe positive parenting in great detail. I like Kars4Kids’ Parenting’sContinue reading “Making Positive Parenting Work For Our Family”

Rainy Saturdays

A rainy day is nature’s way of telling family to slow down and savour each other’s company. We’re lucky T usually doesn’t wake up till 8:30 on weekends. But today, he got up before sunrise. He came into our room with cheerful pep. “Oh my God, it’s so early. Go back to bed!” I said,Continue reading “Rainy Saturdays”

F*ck Carrots!

So our kindergartener is done with carrots and said as much during lunch at school! T had a great first week back at school and we hope the momentum continues. But on his first day back, we got a note in his daily log that he dropped the F-bomb after he opened his lunch andContinue reading “F*ck Carrots!”

Handwriting Without Tears

If there was an award for false advertising, I’d give it to this web app that claims to teach kids how to write with pure ease. Handwriting Without Tears was one of the tools that was part of T’s junior kindergarten virtual schooling last Spring. Cute lessons and activities allowed kids to practice handwriting byContinue reading “Handwriting Without Tears”

What Our Explosive Child Teaches Us About Love

After breakfast, I handed T a heart-shaped box of Smarties and asked him to be my Valentine. To me, Valentine’s is about celebrating love in all its forms, including love between family. How fitting then that this year’s Valentine’s is sharing a double billing with Family Day long weekend in Canada. This weekend has soContinue reading “What Our Explosive Child Teaches Us About Love”

How We Barely Survived Our Second Run of Virtual Schooling

T goes back to school next week, bringing to an end our second run of virtual schooling hell. The last six weeks were so incredibly hard, further amplified by other challenges like Ma’s unexpected health issue. Meltdowns, daily battles, frustration with getting T to sit and focus, embarrassing moments of T throwing a fit whileContinue reading “How We Barely Survived Our Second Run of Virtual Schooling”

“I Get Happy When I See…”

Our T turned 6 this past week! I felt like we just celebrated his 5th birthday. Where did the time go?! While it was a quiet lockdown birthday, the hubby and I still found a way to celebrate. When T woke up on his special day, he stepped out to a hallway and staircase decoratedContinue reading ““I Get Happy When I See…””

“You Need to Be Proud of Yourself Too!”

Every Friday morning, I sit with T for virtual art class before lunch and it’s been quite calming! Four weeks of virtual learning hell is behind us and it has been so so hard. Much of the school day is punctuated with meltdowns and battles. But we find a way to get to the end,Continue reading ““You Need to Be Proud of Yourself Too!””

Why Special Needs Parents Should Create a Will

For our 40th birthdays, the hubby and I gifted ourselves the creation of our wills. It does feel morbid to think about life after death as we celebrate this wonderful milestone; the hubby last fall and me later this Spring. But we are pragmatic and recent events have emphasized the need to plan for theContinue reading “Why Special Needs Parents Should Create a Will”

Sunday Blast Off To Space!

Pandemic lockdown has restricted travel, but T’s imagination rocketed us to outer space on a quiet Sunday. All I wanted to do on this afternoon was nap – I feel so exhausted – but T’s endless energy needed an outlet and I always feel guilty about plopping him in front of the tablet all day.Continue reading “Sunday Blast Off To Space!”

A Visit to the Vet

A sick cat gave our little kindergartener a hand-on lesson about what a vet does. At 12:30 am on Monday, the hubby woke me up and said our cat Kyrie was sick. The hubby had been cleaning up stinky drops our cat had been dripping throughout the house. With everything going on in our lives,Continue reading “A Visit to the Vet”