Tag Archives: Resiliency

A Moment to Shine

T co-emceed his school’s holiday concert on Thursday evening and did a great job speaking and performing in front of 200 guests. His teacher let us know the week before of this role and we were thrilled for him! She said he was doing a great job and asked us to practice with him. HeContinue reading “A Moment to Shine”

Birds of a Feather

Humans, like other animals, naturally seek and thrive through social connection. A flock of birds, a school of fish, a pack of wolves, and so on – we’re created to be social beings born into a family and socialized into communities. I reflected on this during a brisk, late afternoon, bike ride with T toContinue reading “Birds of a Feather”

A Strong Sense of Justice

At a parent-teacher interview a few years ago, T’s Grade 1 teacher said T has a strong sense of justice. Despite the challenges we navigate with T, his general sense of right and wrong, and doing the right thing and speaking up when he feels he or others are wronged, gives us hope he willContinue reading “A Strong Sense of Justice”

Creating Space for Something New

“The park is fading away,” T said with sadness during a recent bedtime, as I was tucking him in. He said that several mulberry trees had been chopped off over the late summer. Earlier in the summer, the trees provided great enjoyment, after the hubby and T noticed a group of seniors picking wild mulberriesContinue reading “Creating Space for Something New”

Regrouping: Finding Resilience in the Caregiving Journey

A subtraction worksheet drove me into a meltdown with our neurodiverse 10-year-old. I had an early start to a typical Tuesday work day, followed by a two-hour evening meeting of a Family Advisory Council that I volunteer with. After the meeting, I was hungry, brain-dead and just wanted to crawl into bed. But math homeworkContinue reading “Regrouping: Finding Resilience in the Caregiving Journey”

From One Caregiver to Another on FASD Awareness Day

September 9 is recognized annually around the world as FASD Awareness Day and to raise awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This year, I was honored to be part of Surrey Place’s FASD Day event this recent Sunday. The hubby and T also attended the event and T spent most of the event playing withContinue reading “From One Caregiver to Another on FASD Awareness Day”

Good Things Are Worth the Wait

2 siblings, 2 generations of cousins, and T’s 1st summer tall enough to go on the biggest of the big roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland. The hubby’s sister and her daughter, T’s beloved cousin, A, visited us over Labour Day weekend. They were in town from New Brunswick to watch the Dua Lipa concert onContinue reading “Good Things Are Worth the Wait”

Full Moon at the Bay

We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this weekend, halfway through our two-week visit to T’s grandparents in New Brunswick. It was peak full moon – sounds about right 🤣 – and we enjoyed a morning barefoot walk on sandbars during low tide. The breeze, cold salt water, soft sand and gentle waves were soothing. WeContinue reading “Full Moon at the Bay”

Sarang Kitchen: A Restaurant For Minds of All Kinds

Delicious Korean fried chicken with a side of inclusiveness for neurodiverse people and dogs. That was the impressive, yummy and heartwarming experience we enjoyed at Sarang Kitchen, the first social enterprise and restaurant in Toronto that welcomes and employs neurodiverse people, including autistic individuals. I’ve been wanting to visit this place since it opened inContinue reading “Sarang Kitchen: A Restaurant For Minds of All Kinds”

“Every Day is a Blessing”

T snuck up on me while I was reading on the couch and with a mischievous grin, he said earnestly, “Every day is a miracle.” I still chuckle at this exchange and I also see the wisdom, intended or not, in his innocent words. Yesterday morning, I attended the funeral of a family friend andContinue reading ““Every Day is a Blessing””

The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear

The windswept pine tree on sunset rocks at Killbear Provincial Park is beloved by visitors. Over 100 years old, standing on rocks over 2 billion years old, it has witnessed many untold moments. I’m thankful that we are a part of each others’ passage in time, from the hubby and my first visit before TContinue reading “The Hours: Lessons from a Windswept Pine at Killbear”

Building a Child’s Confidence

With less than a handful of days of school left, I’m leaving with one key takeaway: confidence is built and nurtured. T’s Grade 4 year flew by. Many things clicked this year. With his CYW’s continued support, T has grown academically, personally and socially. Even daycare staff have noted how far he has come. ThereContinue reading “Building a Child’s Confidence”

Meeting a Karen

“Aren’t Karens mean?” T asked when I let him know we found him a tutor. It was not the first time he’s made such a comment. The other time was directly at a grocery cashier named Karen. Thankfully, in the case of his new academic support, she has been wonderful and kind so far. FindingContinue reading “Meeting a Karen”

It’s All in the Details

An important lesson that school teaches kids is that details and presentation matter; and they help move average towards excellent. Two weeks ago, we learned that T had to complete a diorama about a Canadian region of his choice and accompanied by a research report and presentation. My first thought was “What fresh hell isContinue reading “It’s All in the Details”

Candid Conversation: Frances Victory on Her Journey To Find A New You

I am often inspired by those who’ve gone through a journey of discovery and then use their experience to inform and inspire others on similar journeys.  Frances Victory is a Life Coach, Speaker, Developmental Psychologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor. She completed her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology at the City University of New York’s GraduateContinue reading “Candid Conversation: Frances Victory on Her Journey To Find A New You”

This Grateful Heart

When chaos disrupts my peace, gratitude helps reframe my focus to face the challenges ahead. On our recent flight home from a wonderful family vacation in Mexico, T had a full-blown meltdown during boarding. The hubby had deleted his favourite game from the phone, which I had advised the hubby against giving to T beforehand.Continue reading “This Grateful Heart”

The Deadly Walk

Writing helps me process my world. Reading T’s school writing work, I see he might’ve done the same. As an ice storm descended in our city, I settled into my Friday evening and noticed an artwork that T had created in his school folder. Upon closer inspection, it was an image of what looked likeContinue reading “The Deadly Walk”

The Exceptional Caregivers Life

I’m excited to share that a podcast I worked on has launched! The Exceptional Caregivers Life features real and compassionate conversations about the highs and lows of caring for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Created by Surrey Place’s Family Advisory Council and hosted by members Liz Phipps and Wendy Robertson, our podcast features stories ofContinue reading “The Exceptional Caregivers Life”

Awards Season

We all need recognition sometimes, as it boosts confidence, motivation and self esteem. It’s Sunday night and T is taking a bath while I’m relaxing with the Oscars. They just handed the first award to Kieran Culkin for Supporting Actor and he gave a joyful speech. Oscars night has changed since my 20s when friendsContinue reading “Awards Season”