I celebrated another lap around the sun the same week an iconic soap opera celebrated its 50th. More so than ever, I’m most thankful for my family, friends, health, and the opportunities to do things and be with those I love. While I am lowkey about my birthday, I appreciate when people remember to sendContinue reading “Still Young and Not As Restless”
Tag Archives: Parenting
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”
Swimming with Dolphins
One chatty mammal met another chatty mammal during a delightful afternoon in the water. The excursion van picked us up late afternoon and took us for a short drive through downtown Cancun and dropped us off at the marina. We put on lifejackets and were escorted down the dock to where the dolphins were. TContinue reading “Swimming with Dolphins”
Above the Clouds
We’re spending March Break with T in Cancun and the wait has been so worth it. The past few months have been very challenging and knowing this family trip to Mexico was in the distance gave us the motivation to hang on. The hubby and I are part of a support group for caregivers ofContinue reading “Above the Clouds”
A Series of Suddenlies
Life flashes by in a series of suddenlies. Suddenly, the hubby and I are university students randomly meeting on a dance floor then start to date on March 8, 2003. Suddenly, we’re moving in together then getting married. Suddenly, we have a little boy then navigating the horrors of a pandemic. It’s impossible to captureContinue reading “A Series of Suddenlies”
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”
Chosen Family
Holidays provide time for rest and reflection. Family Day is a special holiday, because it comes after Valentines and the anniversary of finalizing T’s adoption in court. When T was a toddler, we loved reading Todd Parr’s Family Book, which spoke about families in all forms – nuclear, single parent or multi-generational households, same sexContinue reading “Chosen Family”
Stand Under My Umbrella
Six years ago today, also a Wednesday, T, the hubby and I became a forever family. In many ways, it feels like a lifetime ago when our adoption was finalized in court – and in other ways, I think with awe, “Has it been only six years?!” So many moments have happened since – joyousContinue reading “Stand Under My Umbrella”
Sweet Dreams
Time flies. It’s hard to believe but our little guy turned lucky number 8 last weekend. T had been counting down excitedly for weeks. But his birthday week got off to a rough start. Last Monday, T woke up around midnight and threw up. A lot. Then woke up every hour after to throw upContinue reading “Sweet Dreams”
Family Traditions
Time spent and memories made with our loved ones are what really count in the end. When my sister learned her chemotherapy was not working, it was sad watching her come to terms with her time left. She said the saddest thing was not getting to spend more time with family and friends. Shortly afterContinue reading “Family Traditions”
All That Matters
Our family’s recent and first experience with COVID reminded me what’s truly important in life. Yes, the dreaded COVID finally hit our family and I was a single parent for nearly two weeks. Shortly after my sister’s funeral during the holidays, our family was longing for respite. No more bad news, please. A few daysContinue reading “All That Matters”
The Wedding
We took our 7-year-old to his first wedding this past weekend. Well, at least the first wedding he’ll remember. He attended his first and only wedding in 2016, a friend’s destination wedding, when he was 1. As with all social events, we had some initial apprehension of how T will be. But we believe it’sContinue reading “The Wedding”
Sharing Our Son’s FASD Diagnosis with Him
There are crucial conversations in life that stick out vividly long after they’ve happened. Coming out when I was 14; telling my parents I was moving out; our wedding vows; the adoption worker telling us we were matched with T. Over the Christmas break, I had two more: one that was planned and another thatContinue reading “Sharing Our Son’s FASD Diagnosis with Him”
Marshmallow Halo
Processing and understanding death is hard for kids. Sometimes, stuffed animals can help. T’s Auntie’s – my sister’s – death a few days after Christmas was sudden and despite the unexpectedness, T is doing ok. I continue to check in with him every day to see how he’s doing. Kids often don’t tell you howContinue reading “Marshmallow Halo”
In the Arms of an Angel
Our family faced a sudden loss – for T, his first experience with losing someone – over the holidays. My sister passed away last Thursday, a few days after being admitted to the hospital on Christmas Day, after a short and brave battle with cancer. My family and I are still processing and making senseContinue reading “In the Arms of an Angel”
Believe in Your Goodness
Faith is not believing things will always work out but that you will be ok regardless of how they do. It was an up and down week at school. So the start of the holidays was so welcomed. T made a lovely note for Santa last night. When he woke up this Christmas morning, heContinue reading “Believe in Your Goodness”
Everything Everywhere All At Once
In another universe, I’m a novelist and our son is disability free. Oh, the what ifs of the multiverse. I watched “Everything Everywhere All At Once” this weekend, the Michelle Yeoh-starring film that is generating major Oscar buzz. The film is about the multiverse, where infinite and different versions of the same characters exist. TheContinue reading “Everything Everywhere All At Once”
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’m Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Our little guy got his hair done and he’s blue like Sonic the Hedgehog. T had been talking recently about wanting to colour his hair. After swim lessons last Saturday – where he did his first two consecutive laps for the first time! – we visited the barber. T sat patiently for his turn andContinue reading “I’m Blue (Da Ba Dee)”
My Life With T 