Garbage in, garbage out. How we nourish our body extends to our mind and spirit. With thanks to our parenting support group, the hubby and I attended a webinar with a nutritionist that works with individuals with FASD. Our 8.5 year old T is characteristically a picky eater – or as I learned through thisContinue reading “Helpful Nutrition Tips for Raising Children with FASD”
Category Archives: growth mindset
Sprint to the Finish
Friday was Track and Field Day. T crushed and won his races, including the 1500m and 800m. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the hubby, T and I participated in the final session of the SNAP program, which we participated in to build skills to make better choices and co-regulate with T when moments getContinue reading “Sprint to the Finish”
The Golden Spark
A single weed in a field of yellow can be magical. It’s that time in Spring when dandelions create a magical golden carpet on park fields. T and I enjoyed a nice walk on Mothers Day. The sun was shining and it was warm enough for T-shirts, shorts and crocs. “Oh my God, stop takingContinue reading “The Golden Spark”
Forever Young
Dinosaurs go extinct when they lose touch with their inner child. Raising T, a child with endless energy and a disability called FASD, can feel like I’m aging in double time – but it keeps me young. Even when I’m exhausted by T, I am amused by his imagination, as he turns our home intoContinue reading “Forever Young”
The Magical Yet
I didn’t get my driver’s license until my 30s and after failing the final road test twice. When I finally got it, it was a good reminder that some things that may seem out of reach at first may not always stay that way. As a parent of a child with FASD, I often thinkContinue reading “The Magical Yet”
Fighting Spirit
Body, mind, spirit. They are all connected and nourishing them means a stronger you. Self care is as essential as oxygen to daily life as a parent of a child with FASD. Last fall and the first few weeks of the new year drained my batteries and emptied my reserves. I did not have theContinue reading “Fighting Spirit”
Sorry
The best way to apologize is through changed behaviour. I reflected on this nugget of wisdom after last week’s session of SNAP. The hubby, T and I are halfway through the SNAP program and it’s been great so far. We’re learning behaviour intervention and co-regulation strategies and while it’s never perfect, we’re applying them withContinue reading “Sorry”
Anahera: the Hidden Angels
While waiting for our flight home, an older man with a cross necklace sat in front of us. The airport was packed and very noisy and T was overstimulated and stimming (digging hands) and eating his Pringle chips messily. We told T to stop eating and save the rest for the flight and was metContinue reading “Anahera: the Hidden Angels”
Together We Are More
I recently thought about a bedtime story called “The Bundle of Sticks” that Pa used to tell me. As this Aesop’s Fable goes, an old man gathers his 20 dysfunctional sons as he nears his death. He gives them each a stick and asks them to break it – and they each do so withContinue reading “Together We Are More”
The Skin We’re In
Being thick skinned takes work, whether it comes to parenting or Air Frying pork belly. When I cook, one of my self care routines, I find parallels with parenting a child with FASD. My cousin gifted us an Air Fryer for Christmas and it’s been amazing to make recipes on my bucket list, most recentlyContinue reading “The Skin We’re In”
Cultivating a Learning Mindset
Fostering an attitude for learning is so important. Kids with FASD face additional challenges and are often at risk of falling behind in school. This year, Grade 2, has been challenging. We’ve had numerous calls with his teacher who is struggling to manage T in the classroom. There are many factors we attribute it to,Continue reading “Cultivating a Learning Mindset”
I Believe In You
How you see yourself makes a huge difference in how you experience the world. The hubby and I had our first parent-teacher interview last Friday with T’s Grade 2 teacher. The conversation focused on T’s challenges: focusing and completing his work; avoidance behaviour like taking long bathroom breaks, and social interaction. I felt deflated, becauseContinue reading “I Believe In You”
Second Chances
What parents won’t often admit: When they ground their kids, they are punishing themselves too. After T’s unfortunate incident with taking the lollipop from the store, we grounded him last weekend; no electronics and he would not have his Halloween decor, bought on the same trip to the store, until next year. It may seemContinue reading “Second Chances”
The Boogeyman
This is a very hard post to write, but I’ve learned that fears die down when you face them. I’ve been enjoying the ramp up to Halloween – recently catching a matinee of “Halloween Ends.” Yesterday night, a real horror scenario played out: T took a lollipop from a store without paying for it. ThisContinue reading “The Boogeyman”
Cross Country Race
Our little guy competed in his first cross country school meetup today. For a kid who is endlessly active, gym is a class T struggled with the last few years. For his mid-year report card last year, his gym teacher gave him an “I,” as he didn’t participate enough for her to give a properContinue reading “Cross Country Race”
Reading Buddy
We’re experimenting with our little guy’s love of younger kids to build his reading and social skills. At the start of every school year, I watch and reflect on this “Common Strengths of Students with FASD” video by social worker Dan Dubovsky. It’s apparent T loves younger kids and they bring out his patient andContinue reading “Reading Buddy”
Guiding Light
Earlier this month, Pa would’ve turned 100. I thought about him when T had his first swim lesson. T’s always loved the water. The outdoor pools saved our pandemic summers and T loves swimming in lakes during our outdoor adventures. He’s very comfortable in the water and it was time he learned proper swim technique.Continue reading “Guiding Light”
Planning and Collaborating for School Success
Week 1 of Grade 2 is in the history books! We stepped into the school year with cautious optimism. T ended Grade 1 on a positive note but entered the new year without a dedicated CYW. School is often a challenging journey for kids with FASD. This year, we will build on T’s many strengthsContinue reading “Planning and Collaborating for School Success”
Watermelon Sugar
Do you run towards or flee from inevitable sunsets? September 9 is FASD Day, commemorated during FASD Awareness Month in September. September 9 symbolizes the ninth month of pregnancy and this day helps raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the experiences of individuals with FASD. People are encouraged to wear red shoes, anContinue reading “Watermelon Sugar”
Training Wheels
The sandwich generation experiences the joys of kids growing up and the sorrow of aging parents. Earlier this summer, T showed interest in bike riding again after having no interest last year. While he loves zipping down the park, he doesn’t yet feel comfortable taking off the training wheels. And that’s ok. I thought aboutContinue reading “Training Wheels”
