The heart does go on and on. T’s latest obsession is the Titanic, quite the step up from Paw Patrol! This was likely inspired from YouTube, as he spends lots of time watching videos about the Titanic and other famous shipwrecks. He loves to draw pictures and pretend play with great imagination about the doomedContinue reading “Sinking Ships, Rising Hearts”
Category Archives: wellbeing
Finding Connections
As social creatures, we yearn for connection and we thrive when we have psychological safety. This was the key takeaway from a virtual talk by FASD expert Nate Sheets I attended during a recent caregivers group get-together. I’ve followed Nate’s work for a while but it was my first time attending a live talk andContinue reading “Finding Connections”
The Darkest Dark
We remind our little guy that he is stronger and braver than the monsters in his head. During a recent Sunday morning, around 1:30, I was woken up by the hubby having a fit. T had turned on all the lights in the house, downstairs included, and was up playing with his toys – becauseContinue reading “The Darkest Dark”
Personal Affection Day
On Friday, T asked to stay home instead of going to daycare for PA Day. “I just need a break,” he said. On Professional Activity (PA) Days, kids get a day off school and teachers focus on professional learning. My first instinct to T’s request was no. The hubby and I had work, remotely atContinue reading “Personal Affection Day”
The Gift of the Redo
Christmas is a time for forgiveness and it is the kindest gift one could give and receive. When we were having rough patches this fall with T – a part of the FASD parenting life – we met with our developmental pediatrician, who has been supporting T since he was 18 months. In addition toContinue reading “The Gift of the Redo”
In the Dog House
In my next life, I want to be a therapy dog. I took part of Friday off to take T to a PA Day paw therapy program hosted by the amazing Surrey Place team as part of their ongoing services for children with FASD and caregivers. T and I loved the horse therapy program theyContinue reading “In the Dog House”
Why Stories Matter
Stories and personal testimony can inform, inspire and be a lifeline to someone. December 1 marks the fourth anniversary of this blog and my first post, introducing T’s prognosis and our family. I started my blog as a way to process my thoughts on the FASD parenting journey and to raise awareness and advocate forContinue reading “Why Stories Matter”
Love and Karma
The energy we send into the universe is the energy we invite into our lives. I found this belief challenged the past few weeks, because of T’s chaos – meltdowns, foul language, rude attitude, defiant behaviour at school. It was draining – and at one point, I told the hubby I did not have theContinue reading “Love and Karma”
Enjoy the Silence
I’m going to tell you a secret: It’s ok to say no, to put your needs first, to self indulge. It’s become a morbid joke that when I plan self care time, something bad happens. Christmas 2019: T got sick for a week. Christmas 2020: Ma had a nearly life-ending stroke on the first dayContinue reading “Enjoy the Silence”
The Power of Yet
T asked the lifeguard if he could try the deep end test. It was his first-ever attempt. Would he make it? I thought about this recent outing at the community pool, as it’s goal-setting time for the school year. This year, I love how T’s teacher included the kids in the process, using the PowerContinue reading “The Power of Yet”
Tree of Life
There is a special tree, that sways to the side like a painting, that serves as a route marker of time. Killbear is special because it is the first place we camped together at as a family. It is the first family vacation we took during the pandemic and we were so excited to getContinue reading “Tree of Life”
Community Rocks
As the sun descended over Georgian Bay, crowds started gathering on the rocks by the water. It was our second night of camping at beautiful Killbear and we were enjoying an after dinner walk to soak in our final evening. Sitting by the rocks to watch the sunset is a tradition and I love howContinue reading “Community Rocks”
Shooting Stars
Night hikes are a camping tradition and when darkness fell, we excitedly set off for the rocks. After our spontaneous sunset swim and jumping off beautiful rocks at Killbear, we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores at our campsite. T was now sugared up on s’mores and a watermelon slush from dinner. He was bouncing offContinue reading “Shooting Stars”
Catch and Release
Kids catching lobsters washed up on the beach gave me a good reminder about abundance of gratitude. On the second morning of our recent visit to T’s grandparents’ cottage, we went for a walk by the beach, an activity T enjoyed several times a day. We stumbled upon three boys carrying buckets and excitedly catchingContinue reading “Catch and Release”
All That We Leave Behind
In the end, it’s about memories and we hang onto photos and things that remind us of loved ones. In a year of losses, our family experienced another loss – Ma moved back to Philippines at the end of July. We knew for over a year this day was coming – it was delayed dueContinue reading “All That We Leave Behind”
Rain or Shine
When things don’t go as planned, like pneumonia ambushing vacation, I look for the silver lining. We had a nice 10 days visiting T’s grandparents in New Brunswick, despite me being ill for most of it. On our third day, I started to feel nauseous, had shaking chills and developed a fever – which reachedContinue reading “Rain or Shine”
Before Sunset
Nature reminds us that often times there are good stuff yet to come near the end of our days. At the start of the final stretch of our drive to visit the hubby’s parents, we stopped to gas up near Edmunston, New Brunswick. We were treated to this awe-inspiring breathtaking sunset – pictured at top.Continue reading “Before Sunset”
Croup Summer
Nothing like a nasty viral infection for poor T to tell us to slow down our summer. On Thursday, T started to complain of a sore throat. By Friday, the sore throat was unbearable. We did a COVID test and it was negative. T woke up twice at night, crying his throat was hurting. ByContinue reading “Croup Summer”
Embracing His Inner Dennis the Menace
Half a year after we shared his FASD diagnosis with T, it has clicked with him. On a recent morning, T wanted to play with one of our two cats, which is often a hit or miss event. T stayed gentle and our cat finally went up to T to smell his hand then letContinue reading “Embracing His Inner Dennis the Menace”
Tubing Down Elora Gorge
Rushing river leads to calm water. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I wholeheartedly believe this. We celebrated Canada Day, and the start of the second half of the year, by tubing down Elora Gorge. It’s family tradition to kick off summer break with a weekend adventure. This year, we picked Elora, a charmingContinue reading “Tubing Down Elora Gorge”