This Monday, Jupiter and Saturn came within the closest distance to each other in 800 years, forming a Christmas star. It lit up the sky like a white diamond on the shortest day of the year. It was a symbol of hope that brighter days are, quite literally, on their way. 2020 has been suchContinue reading “Like a Pure White Diamond”
Tag Archives: Resiliency
“Grown Ups Don’t Cry…”
Life can change in the blink of an eye: our Ma had a stroke on Friday. Yesterday, Friday morning, was a normal one. By the evening, I was in the Emergency ward receiving quite the unexpected news. Thankfully, she is awake and seems to understand what’s going on. But her speech is slurred and mobilityContinue reading ““Grown Ups Don’t Cry…””
The Little Boy in the Park
An unexpected connection with a seven-year-old boy is teaching T about the highs and lows of friendship. It started two months ago, in warmer weather. At that time, T had developed a bond with two older boys, whom he played with regularly after I picked him up after daycare. Then one day, S started toContinue reading “The Little Boy in the Park”
Focusing Again on Potential and Growth Mindset
“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what they cannot do.” I saw this quote shared recently on Twitter by Surrey Place, the wonderful agency that has been supporting T since he was 1.5. I reflected on this quote by Autism spokesperson and advocate Temple GrandinContinue reading “Focusing Again on Potential and Growth Mindset”
Confrontation with an Angry Parent
During a daycare pickup this week, the staff told me T threw a toy at a boy and caused a bump on his head. They said the parents were upset, because it’s not the first time T and this boy have had issues. I told the staff the hubby and I will speak with TContinue reading “Confrontation with an Angry Parent”
Celebrating Daddy’s 40th Birthday!
The hubby turns 40 today! T and I celebrated his big day starting with a homemade dinner last night. T was very excited all day yesterday. Birthdays, Halloween and Christmas are his holy trinity. We took it easy yesterday. As the sun began to set, the three of us decided to do something productive andContinue reading “Celebrating Daddy’s 40th Birthday!”
Challenging Conversations with Kids: On Death
During bedtime two weeks ago, T asked me, “Papa, are you old?” “I’m older than you. Why do you ask?” I replied. “When you get old, will you die?” He asked. I was caught so off guard. My gut reaction was, “Are you kidding me? It’s past your bedtime. I am so tired. And IContinue reading “Challenging Conversations with Kids: On Death”
Enjoying A Last Burst of Summer
We took advantage of an unusually warm weekend and soaked up the sun and outdoors. The weather forecast gave me the will to get through what felt like a long week and it looked even better as the weekend came upon us! Early November is an interesting time as Autumn gives us one last burstContinue reading “Enjoying A Last Burst of Summer”
Creating an Individualized Education Plan for Our Kindergartner
Last Friday, we were notified by T’s child and youth worker that a parent had complained to the teacher, specifically about T not giving a classmate personal space. I read this entry in her daily log entry late Saturday evening after experiencing the high of a wonderful Halloween celebration with T. It bummed me out,Continue reading “Creating an Individualized Education Plan for Our Kindergartner”
Creating A Haunted House Scavenger Hunt
Halloween is very different this year but we wanted to make sure we celebrated one of T’s favourite days. So we created a surprise Sugary Scavenger Hunt around the house, including turning our family room into a haunted surprise. The fake cobwebs and spiders blended in nicely with the real ones! As soon as itContinue reading “Creating A Haunted House Scavenger Hunt”
Finding Fitness and Wellbeing In Lockdown
The days are getting shorter and I think even more about wellness as we look ahead to the pandemic winter ahead. A recent poll reported that 1 in 4 Canadians reported their mental health is worse now than in the first wave of the pandemic. One thing I’ve missed a lot during this pandemic isContinue reading “Finding Fitness and Wellbeing In Lockdown”
Finding Conflict and Resolution at the Playground
On a recent Thursday daycare pickup, I got out of the car and heard yelling between T and a little girl. At first, I thought they were just playing but upon a closer look, I saw the two of them screaming at each other’s face, a parent standing behind the girl and the daycare staffContinue reading “Finding Conflict and Resolution at the Playground”
Taking Our 5 Year Old for a COVID Test
We had quite the unexpected start to our week when T was sent home midday Monday from school. He was sneezing and had a runny nose. He also told his teacher he had a fever. He didn’t and doesn’t have a fever – it’s his default word for everything – but because of his coldContinue reading “Taking Our 5 Year Old for a COVID Test”
Playing With the Older Kids
A pair of older kids have formed an unlikely group for T to play with after school. Four weeks ago, our end of day routine became one hour of play at the playground next to his day camp, which is now his after school program. It’s a nice playground and even big enough for meContinue reading “Playing With the Older Kids”
Happy Meals and Summer Memories
Summer fly, winters walk. T got an extra week of vacation this year but it’s time to head back to school this week. This has been a strange challenging summer. I’m thankful my family stayed safe and got to make the most of it and explored the beauty of Ontario. I know this was aContinue reading “Happy Meals and Summer Memories”
Wearing Red Shoes to Honour FASD Awareness Day on September 9
T is wearing red shoes to day camp today in honour of FASD Awareness Day. Commemorated annually on September 9, to symbolize the ninth month of pregnancy, this day serves to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, specifically about the plights of drinking during pregnancy and about the struggles of individuals with FASD. WearingContinue reading “Wearing Red Shoes to Honour FASD Awareness Day on September 9”
Summer on ADHD Medication: The Good and The Ugly
Our five-year-old T started medication for ADHD in July. It has yielded positive and challenging results so far. Starting T on medication was a very hard decision. But we made this decision because we knew the potential rewards were worth trying and worst case scenario, we could stop it. We started him in early July.Continue reading “Summer on ADHD Medication: The Good and The Ugly”
When Kids Lift Each Other Up
At his core, our five-year-old T is a caring kid. I saw an example of this in action at the playground next to the outdoor pool we visit several times a week in the early evenings. While I line up to get into the next hourly pool slot, T plays in the playground. There isContinue reading “When Kids Lift Each Other Up”
Discussing and Normalizing Death, Adoption and Difficult Topics with Kids
At a recent camp pickup, the staff told me they had a sad moment. T told her he had a dream that his Daddy and Papa died. He told her that “he got very sad because he’ll be all alone.” T also recently told me that he had a dream where he saw me inContinue reading “Discussing and Normalizing Death, Adoption and Difficult Topics with Kids”
What My Cousin and Downs Syndrome Taught Me About Parenting
We celebrated my cousin Tracy’s 40th birthday this weekend. It was the first time we saw her family since lockdown began. When my family first came to Canada, one of the first friends I made were my cousins Tracy and J. My mom and her siblings are very close and we saw my uncle’s familyContinue reading “What My Cousin and Downs Syndrome Taught Me About Parenting”
My Life With T 