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”
Category Archives: Parenting
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”
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”
Daddy vs Papa
During a recent nap in our guest room, the hubby came in and flopped himself next to me. The hubby and I were both exhausted but I told him to go find his own hiding spot before T found me and ended my quiet alone time. After that moment, I thought with amusement about howContinue reading “Daddy vs Papa”
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”
When I Grow Up…
T’s child & youth worker recently shared a super sweet story. The hubby and I chatted with her two weekends ago to strategize for the return to virtual learning. She has been such a godsend to T and we consider her to be an integral part of Team T. At the end of the call,Continue reading “When I Grow Up…”
The Magic of a Child’s Imagination
One of the enjoyable things as a parent is to see a child’s growth. I remember those proud milestones that felt like they would never come: first steps, first words, first time peeing in the potty. Lately, I enjoy seeing T’s play skills and imagination grow. Today, the hubby gave me a blue moon giftContinue reading “The Magic of a Child’s Imagination”
The Necessity of Compartmentalization
The hubby and I re-entered homeschool hell this week. It was as exhausting as we anticipated. But thanks to experience from last Spring and to T’s organized and supportive teacher and child and youth worker, it felt less painful this time. As any parent, special needs or not, will say: taking time to recharge isContinue reading “The Necessity of Compartmentalization”
Why Youth Mentorship Matters
The hubby and I binged the latest season of Cobra Kai over two nights. The Netflix hit series continues the story of The Karate Kid movies 35 years later. I never watched the films but the show resonates with me, because it tells a compelling coming of age story. The aspect of the story thatContinue reading “Why Youth Mentorship Matters”
My Life With T 