Who is that woman with my son? She just stands there as Philip messes up the craft. At this table, the public library has a project in which a coffee filter is supposed to be glued to the top of the green rectangle of construction paper to become a flower on a stem. Philip is gluing it in the middle! Wait, is she helping him do it wrong? Why didn’t she point out how the other kids are doing it the right way? She acts as if this gymnasium full of families won’t notice.
Philip should now select a pastel cupcake liner and glue inside the filter as the flower’s blossom. He touches the pink, blue, and yellow cups, but puts the cap back on the glue stick. And that woman lets him.
Now he is moving to the other side of the table. He has discovered the librarian’s stash of black markers. And instead of telling him not to touch them, that woman is chatting with the librarian. Wait, she’s finally taking action. Maybe she’s going to yank the marker out of his hand.
She takes a photograph.
From one table to the next, Philip refuses to complete the activities at this event as designed. That lady doesn’t correct him once. He takes stickers from one table to embellish his not-flower. He borrows the bright markers from another to decorate it even more. She does nothing to stop him.
I would have pushed Philip to stand on the right side of the table like all the other kids were doing. I would have fixed his projects, taking over so they more closely resembled the samples displayed by each organization. I would have apologized for Philip’s errors.
I would have compared Philip to the other children and noticed how different he was. I would have been too self-consciousness to stay. “We’ve been here long enough,” I would have said in a falsely cheerful voice. My discomfort would have pushed me to skip the rest of the displays and leave.
I am the mother that Philip was born to, but I no longer exist. I am the mother who worried about sideways glances and whispered comments from others about her autistic son. I was slowly replaced by that woman sitting on the floor (on the floor!) as Philip eats frosting off a cupcake. She’s not thinking about what others think. She knows her son is just right as he is.
Philip does not have the same mother. But now his mother is happier, and she hopes that Philip is, too.
Beautiful. It’s amazing what we can learn from them, right?
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It sure is.
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I just saw this was FP’ed. Congratulations!
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This was great Cynthia! I love the way you told it 🙂 Bravo!
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Thanks. I struggled with how to tell the story, so I’m glad you like the end result.
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I have a big stupid grin on my face after reading the end of this.
Happier indeed!
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I definitely had more fun on Saturday than I used to at these kind of events.
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This is an amazing post and I think that all parents could learn a great deal from this. Beautifully written!
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Thank you.
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You are an amazing mother, Cyn.
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Just trying to do my best, as I know you are.
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I am, but my ex used to work in a school for special needs children so I know for a fact a lot of parents of children with special needs are not so caring or loving with their offspring. In fact, sometimes it’s quite the opposite.
Of course, the same could be said for a lot of parents, but I knew of some parents who coddled their children without special needs and neglected the child with special needs and it made me incredibly angry.
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I liked your perspective.
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Thanks. I was worried it wouldn’t work, so I’m glad you liked it.
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I resonate deeply with this– both from the perspective of the writing and the message. I LOVE the way you wrote this. I was actually a little creeped out at first, which made me read on with some anxiety, but then I started to gradually realize what you were doing. You took me on a journey where the change in perspective snuck up on me– just as it must have snuck up on you. Bravo!
And in terms of your message– Oh yes. I am so not the mother my kids started out with — and we are all better off as a result!
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I can’t imagine a parent who doesn’t learn to adapt and change and bend and grow. It would be a rough life for that child.
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True. As the oldest of three, I used to half-joke with my younger sisters that I had it much harder because I had to “train” my parents. 🙂
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Hurrah. I was hoping about midway through (when we got to the photograph) that it was you. I loved this perspective of the self-discovery of letting go. I’ve had to do a lot of that lately. Surrendering controlling everything (or feeling like I should.)
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I wasn’t sure how obvious it would be that I was writing about myself. Hard to tell as the writer.
Trying to control everything is exhausting. And that applies to more than parenting.
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Love love love this! You’re so right that it’s much easier to be happier once we let go of being the mom we thought we’d be before we knew our sons. Brilliant and beautiful.
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I used to think the “right” way reflected intelligence. But I forgot that the “wrong” way demonstrates creativity and flexibility.
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perfect!! it’s not just the kids who grow, we do too. good mom. great story. 🙂
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We sure do. Thanks!
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I super adore this. And you.
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That’s sweet. Thank you.
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What a great post! I have taught art to kids of all ages. Some of my students have been autistic and some not. But every creator/artist deserves the respect to follow his or her own vision, (as long as the materials are safe). Sometimes the most compelling creations come from the students who don’t approach projects in the anticipated way. You are the kind of mother I love having contact with; flexible, appreciative, and open minded. I have found that the children who don’t always color the sky blue make the most engaging art
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When I taught music, I followed a teaching philosophy that valued process over product. I try to remember that when I’m with my son.
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Oh my gosh. I feel you but yet…am not as enlightened. In speech therapy I’m clenching my jaw as he refuses circle time and wants to play in the kitchen and as he refuses to trace the letters in his name and instean wants to trace the trains…as all other kids comply with rules and procedures.
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I was thinking that I gave myself too much credit in this story. I’m not always as unflappable as I felt at this time. It’s definitely a process, and we parents are human and make mistakes.
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Beautiful! Truly, I loved this more than I have words for.
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That makes me smile.
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Way to go sis!!! This applies to everyone w/ kids, even those w/ “normal” ones.
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Thanks! And I owe you a phone call soon.
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I love this. Beautifully told. My son never wants to do those projects the way they’re laid out either. It sure makes life more interesting…
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I’m not very artistic, so I HAVE to follow a model. My son’s ability to approach things creatively is a trait I admire.
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I like (as other readers have commented) how this post was ordered with me assuming the woman was someone else–a teacher/group leader, etc. It’s good to celebrate our own growth as parents once in a while! Good for you.
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Thanks for the feedback. I wasn’t sure how/if the structure would work.
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Beautiful way you presented how you have changed as a parent and revisited the past and moved forward. I hope that you are able to hang on to this attitude once you and Phillip take your first steps into the public school system. Lovely post.
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Thanks. I enjoyed your post from today on acceptance and letting our kids do things their own way.
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Thank you:) it’s not easy especially when schools are churning out “cookie cutter kids” re: NT children. I remember walking down the kindergarten wing of my son’s school and the teacher told me another mom to look for our kids art. We had to walk along and every name til we found our child’s project because the expectation is not individual but to follow the teachers instruction and copy what the teacher is making. When I saw my son’s name I knew right away that wasn’t his work;) Acceptance in our schools balanced by nurturing individuals in all children would be a nice goal 😉
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He is just right, just the way he is! This is really beautiful.
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Full disclosure: I did spend time correcting him as follows when he ate the cupcake: “Use the napkin, not your sleeve!”
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I loved this. It is amazing how we evolve as parents, isn’t it?
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It certainly is.
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Yay! This gave me the warm fuzzies! Love, acceptance, joy, letting go of expectations and constraints! Go, you! (Also, I thought this was really well written. So, double go you!)
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We are changed! For the better!! Lovely post.
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Changing for the better is so worth it.
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Love this! I love his new mother too. She is just right. 🙂
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I’d like to think so, too.
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True I taught at an ESE magnet school and wish every Mom was like you. There is a peace that comes with acceptance and the ignorance of other peoples problems.
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Peaceful is a good way to describe it.
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I recognized, in your telling, the cumbersome burden of otherness and the blessing of individuality that mark emotional milestones in a familiar journey. There is strength and vulnerability in allowing others to see you, and your son, more completely for the complexities of your truth. Lovely.
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Thank you, Marie.
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So beautifully done. You had me believing some stranger stepped in as you stepped aside. Thank you for reminding us that our children shape us and change us along the way. That we continue to become different parents for their needs, and in turn they make us happier with who we’ve become for them.
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In a way she was a stranger at first. I’m glad I’ve made her acquaintance.
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Bravo!
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Thanks!
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Beautifully written! That genuinely gave me goosebumps…
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Thanks for sharing that with me.
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Beautiful, Cyn! 🙂
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(PS – I love the the look on Philip’s face. He’s so intense, it reminds me of Dave. I think you might just have an artist on your hands. 🙂 )
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Definitely!
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Good for you! I think many parents are guilty of expecting our kids to “do it right” instead of have fun and be creative. It can be hard to step back and let kids make their own decisions. And it’s not an easy change to make.
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Definitely not easy, especially if you like to be in control of things.
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Really enjoyed this post! Nicely written story with a wonderful moral to it – that to simply observe and notice what is going on around you can teach many great things. The fact that you are constantly growing and learning through experiences such as this is really awesome as a mother. I could see the opposite ending in a weaker relationship between mother and son, but this perspective seems to be the seed that grows a strong bond because you really get to know your son by observing and helping rather than acting and hindering.
It reminds me of something my own mother tells me happened in nursery school when I was little. She was called by workers or a teacher there who could not get me to put a puzzle together or something like that. She told them to leave me be for a little while and keep busy with another task, lo and behold I completed the puzzle in my own way in my own time. I suppose I didn’t like the pressure of being watched, or maybe it’s the way I am now even where I dislike the sudden excitement and applause for me doing simple tasks that don’t feel like they deserve a ton of recognition by any means. In short, I don’t like being put on the spot/being the center of attention. Not sure if that completely relates to your story but there’s a loose relation I suppose.
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Sometimes we get in a hurry and, by rushing, we forget that some kids (and adults) need a little extra time.
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This was lovely, Cynthia.
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Thank you, Eva.
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🙂
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Nice!!!!
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Wonderfully written!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations on the Fresh Press. This post so deserves it.
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I appreciate that.
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I too have learned to love and embrace both my boys’ “quirks” and yes, we are all much happier!
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Hurray for embracing quirks!
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Hey! I’m new to WP (moved from Blogger) and I stumbled on this Freshly Pressed post. This is so well written. And yikes! I am so THAT mom. The kind who “helps” my kids do things the “right” way instead of their way. I really appreciate your perspective on this. Our kids change us in such profound ways. They are the best teachers, aren’t they?
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They certainly are.
Welcome to WordPress.
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What a lucky child, to have a parent who is still growing, still open, still loving, & still accepting.
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Parents or not, we all have room to grow. Thanks for stopping by.
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It’s beautiful. ❤
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Thanks, Dylan.
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There is so much pressure on kids these days to do things “right” that I think any chance a kid can just be is quite magical. i just wish that at home, they just weren’t so messy!
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Ha! I know, it’s hard to sit on your hands when there is a mess, but some of the best times come from messiness.
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This was lovely. I was expecting this to be a general beating up of yourself and your parenting and was quite nicely surprised at the end that it was you now, comparing yourself to you in the past. Evolving into the parents that our special kids need is a beautiful thing, even more so when we recognize the changes, and the way you chronicled it with this little story was just wonderful.
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No point in beating ourselves up. Even if we had all the parenting classes in the world before the child arrived, we’d still have to adapt and adjust based on the individual child.
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Reblogged this on The Higher Firewall and commented:
Autism is beautiful. It just takes a mother’s eyes to see it. Please read this blog to go through the divine beauty of autism, innocent and subtle!
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Great post!
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Thanks for reading!
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This was wonderful. It’s amazing how the parent we set out to be or thought we were going to be is so vastly different than the parent our child teaches us to be.
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Oh, don’t we think we know it all before we actually become parents. Good thing we have the sense to learn more from our kids.
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I can’t wait for more posts! When will you update your interesting blog?
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It makes me feel jealous of that woman with my son I should say
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I use to aid a bus driver who drove special needs children. I empathize with you. A smile on their faces is worth so much. We will not know what they comprehend but they understand things we overlook. They are a special prospective into the world. Sincerely, Barry
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Barry.
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Reblogged this on Life of Loww.
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This is an amazing and insightful read! Regardless if your son is autistic I think it’s wonderful that you grew to start showing him to be more creatively expressive and not pushing him to conform. That’s a lesson all patents could stand to learn 🙂
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You’re right: while my son is autistic, this could be about any parent and any child.
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Reblogged this on Jelly Beaner.
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Perfect. This reminds me of Me Now, three kids in, vs. Me Then: completely self-conscious about everything my kid/s did. Or didn’t do. Thanks for the great read.
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And thank you for reading.
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a teacher
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FP-worthy without a doubt. Fine essay.
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Thank you, Mike.
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You are a great mother! I think that some parents are ashamed or guilty if their kids don’t do things ”right” instead of being amazed by their creativity and that’s a pity. Congrats for the FP!
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Here’s to celebrating creativity!
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Love it love it love it! Beautiful and so happy : )
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Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Love this! Check me out
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Excellently written and utterly moving! As a mother this spoke right to me…
God bless.
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I’m glad you could relate.
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I emailed this to myself yesterday before I had a chance to read it because I thought you were going to write about seeing your child with a “stepmom”-type figure somewhere.
But what you really wrote was something every parent with insecurity issues (most of us, but maybe me more than most) can relate to.
I loved this. It’s beautiful. Very handsome young man you have there.
Thank you so much for sharing.
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I’m glad that it wasn’t what you expected. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Nothing bad, but – I was a little disappointed to hear your kid was autistic. I’m still waiting to here these sorts of stories, this sort of change among parents of the “normal.” That would be heart-warming too.
Nice write.
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I am someone that this resonated with. I try hard to step back and let my son do things his way and not mine. I think, sometimes, the autistic kids are the lucky ones because then us mums have harder lessons to learn and faster. My son is not autistic so I have to work harder to let him do things HIS way.
And my son would have cut the flower into little pieces, by the way. Very few craft sessions ever ended with anything tangible for us to take home. And boy did that stress me out!!
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Exactly. Thanks for getting it.
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I see what you are saying – all parents, regardless of their children’s neurology, have the opportunity to be more accepting of creativity in their children.
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Yeah, and everything else in their children too.
Oh, and I just saw my abysmal cyber-typo: ” . . . waiting to HEAR . . . ”
Yeah, it wasn’t intended as any criticism for you, and as you can see Not Quite 40 sees it too. The lesson you’ve had to take is one everybody could use.
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Kudos. Phillip got the right mom for sure.
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I like to think so.
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Wonderfully written perspective! Great post for ALL parents, not just those of autistic children. (I stumbled upon this from Freshly Pressed).
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I’m glad that all parents can relate.
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Reblogged this on samanthajean2's Blog and commented:
How every mom should be!
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Short and very well said. Deserves to be on FP. More so because, a lot of people should actually read this.
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Thank you.
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i admire your ability to let him just be.. many ppl would crumble under the weight of what others may think…
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It’s taken time to get to that point. But, boy, does it make life less stressful!
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And that’s what matters. its not what other ppl see or how they feel. its about how you and your son feel. besides people don’t see the world threw his eyes.. maybe he is making the flower right.. that he sees life from a better set of eyes.i believe that kids with special needs are better in more ways then the “normal” that they see a different world that is just for them.
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Reblogged this on cecilia3928.
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Children can be life changing if we let them, and life changing in the best of ways at times…
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Life changing, for sure.
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Yep.
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It’s has always given me a pain in the heart when I see parents judge children that are autistic. Reading this just touches my heart. 😀
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We are inundated with messages about how autism is something to fix and how, parents of autistic children, should want their children to act “normal.” I reject that.
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Like! Bravo! 🙂
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Thanks!
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Nice experience reading this blog…
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I’m glad you feel that way.
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brilliant, haunting piece. I love the lessons learned in this for parents.
dailyquizquestion.wordpress.com
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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It sounds like you both had a beautiful day. I will be honest, I am not a mother, I dream of being a mother pretty much daily, but Hubby and I have issues there. I have nieces and nephews and in particular I spend many hours a week with my oldest nephew/godson who is almost 3, he loves learning and doing new things, but is quite behind when it comes to speaking. My mother is a retired teacher librarian and I am a librarian and between us we continually develop new and interesting ways to engage him and help him develop in a number of ways – one huge winner we didn’t expect was when we do an activity with him and he has enjoyed himself or created something we take him to someone who wasn’t involved in the activity and ask him to tell them what he did. A lot of it is gibberish, but before he did not like even trying to use words. To be honest I on average spend around 24 hours a week with him (all waking hours) mostly on my own or with my mother.
Instead of now asking to go to Nan or Raow’s house (my name is Cat, he calls me Raow, because that is the sound a Cat makes lol), he asks to go to Nan’s school or Raow’s school. He’s learning in general and his language has come leaps and bound in the last 7 months since we have started this and to me it really highlighted the fact that there is no “right” or “perfect” way of parenting, some kids like lullabys and others (like my nephew Hendrix – aptly named it turns out) prefer to be lulled to dreamland by ACDC. Different kids have different needs and parents perform this amazing transformation to become the people their kids need them to be to meet their needs.
I’m really sorry I think I made this comments so much more complicated than I meant to… I should have just written, “kudos – you seem to have butterflied into the ideal mother for your child” 🙂
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I appreciate the time you took to read and respond. It sounds like you are creating great experiences for your nieces and nephews.
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I am a grandma … and have had a journey while not with Autism or particularly testing children … just life, This answered a lot of questions Thank you!!
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You’re welcome. I’m glad it was helpful.
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Have a good week xx
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Amazing and Inspiring story. And a great read!
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Thank you.
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Thanks for the post! I definitely do things the odd way as well. It is so much better to embrace differences than conforming to the world. 🙂
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If no one ever did things differently I’d hate to think about what great inventions we would have missed out on.
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Beautiful post! All mommas should take a lesson from you!
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I’ve learned great lessons from other moms myself.
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Reblogged this on Ashley John Beauty Blog.
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Reblogged this on Annelisep's Blog and commented:
you are a star!
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I don’t think the other shoe will drop, the frayed footwear that got you to this moment of projection..
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Wow, I was lost in your story.
Well written must say.
Regards,
Fatima
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Thanks, Fatima.
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very nice post…
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Thank you.
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Fantastic post which surprised me, in a great way, as I expected the blog to be about an entirely differeng topic. Congrats on being FP! My grandson, though not having an Autism spectrum diagnosis, has some similar issues. I love him as he is and wouldn’t wish him to be any different. Thanks for writing this post which reminds us all to love others as they are – perfect in their own imperfect humanity. Cheers!
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Thank you.
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I cannot thank you enough for writing this post which speaks volumes on one of the most important topics in this or any society – loving children. Cheers!!!
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Reblogged this on billscott17blog's Blog and commented:
Required reading for us all!
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This post was fantastic! It is well written and it’s urgency drew me in. I am the old you, the earlier narrator. I am still learning to not compare. We adopted our now nine year old daughter when she was 5 and a half years old, from a country that does not make diagnoses of the alphabet soup of acronyms we have since found to explain her different behaviors. I know she is perfect the way she is, only I need to work on me and my different behavior. Thank you for this glimpse of how it can be.
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Good luck in your journey.
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Beautiful!
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Beautiful !
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Lovely post. As a mother of four, I have to say, we can all learn from this. Because however our kids each learn, it’s nothing like perfect most of the time. And it does seem that being “the best Mom” we can be often means sitting on the floor and watching them lick icing off the cupcake wrapper. Thanks for the reminder.
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So true. Thanks for commenting.
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Thanks for your post, and I mean thanks in the most profound way. In addition to being the mother of a child with autism I am also a therapeutic riding instructor. Sitting on the barn floor and playing in the gravel and arena dust is my life. I love your child, and every special needs individual who graces my life. Their way informs my way on every level and I am a better person for it.
As are you. Keep being a warrior and advocate, he needs you so much to make room for his special gifts in this blind world. Never cage that tiger.
I blog my journey at http://Www.trippingovercancer.com. I support you with joy (and the perspective of a fellow advocate.)
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We all should take the time to play in the gravel and saw dust.
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I am “that woman” at the little library where I work, and I must confess that I once stood idly by while a pre-schooler glued five wiggly eyes on a paper lamb and then proceeded to color each of its legs a with a different marker. Why? Because when I first started doing story hour, those who had done it before me advised me to “think like a kid”, and let others do the same. Good advice, though sometimes its difficult to remember how. Isn’t it fascinating how we’re all born with the ability to think outside the box?
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“think like a kid” – brilliant advice!
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I can relate to your blog, I wrote one myself yesterday about my ASD son. Isn’t it amazing how these beautiful children make us such better, loving people.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Christina.
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(Newbie blogger here, and not a parent…)
Such a beautifully written piece reached right into my heart and mind.
I Thank You.
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Thanks for commenting, Jessica.
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Beautifully written… really touched me!
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on theadventuresofkimandkids and commented:
Loved this article. I am continuously growing with my kids!
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Yay for both of you! It sounds so much more fun. I need to make some effort in that direction. Thanks for an enjoyable and inspiring read!
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Looks like you have a couple of cuties. I’m sure they give you a chance to step back and let them be creative.
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It is amazing how our children teach us and we become the best versions of ourselves ❤ Lovely post!
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Thanks, Megan.
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Great post!
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I absolutely adore this post! When my son was younger (he has an Aspergers DX) ibises to worry about what people thought. But what matters most is that we let them do and discover things their way. Wonderfully expressed!
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That worry takes up energy we can spend loving our kids. Isn’t it great to let that go?
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It is!
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Heck yeah! I was cheering for you, because I think at some point, all mothers go through this transformation concerning whatever it is that is different about their child. It is a beautiful thing when you can finally just sit and watch the way your own child navigates the world, instead of worrying about the ways others may perceive him as not navigating it correctly. Beautiful post. Philip is a lucky little boy to have you for a mama.
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It is, indeed, a transformation.
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Reblogged this on R.B.Bailey Jr and commented:
A fantastic story about letting someone you love, go their own way. I would have done the same thing.
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Beautiful 🙂
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This brought a tear to my eye. My son is autistic too and we had to learn pretty quickly that he was only ever going to march to the beat of his own drum, and he plays a pretty brilliant rhythm.
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I bet he does.
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Awesome! Individuality is so much more fun than collectivism. Beautifully expressed!
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I still tend to get hung up on conformity, but I’m learning to break free.
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All parents can benefit from the idea of just letting our children be who they are – lovely piece. Thank you.
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Thanks for the comment Karen. I do think this is a universal experience for parents.
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I really like this post. It’s the same, autistic or not. Kids are kids, and when they’re little, they do things their own creative way. I’m with you– Let them. Let them be who they are.
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Any child can have his/her creativity squashed by adults. Let them be, indeed.
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A beautiful post. Thank you
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Reblogged this on JeKaren Taylor, Writer and commented:
Accepting yourself starts here. From taking who you are, and what you do as your guideline, and not allowing anything to change that. This mother learned an valuable lesson that day, to let her son just BE! Even as a teacher, I remember telling students they were doing things the ‘wrong’ way and now I realize that I was hindering them from true creativity. There is a question floating around Pinterest that says:
It is so important for all of us to go back to basics, to stop being who we think we should be and embrace who we are.
Question: What is one thing about you that you wish you never changed?
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As I read this, I kept thinking–why would you kill this boy’s creative heart? I do not have an autistic son, but clearly remember my kindergarten teacher telling me that I could not color the leaves of my tree with a purple crayon. The leaves had to be green. I argued that the tree in yard had purple leaves (a purple leaf plum tree) and that I liked it because purple was my favorite color. I remember crying because she sent me to the principles office for arguing with her. Because of this moment so early in childhood I squelched my creativity and followed the “rules” as ordained by whoever was in charge–until HS. Then I found my creative voice. This post is a lesson for all parents and adults who work with children. All children should be encourage to be creative. Thank you for sharing. It brought joy to my heart!
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I’m sorry someone squashed your creativity. I’m glad you were able to find it again.
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Thanks for a moving and insightful post.
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Thanks for reading it.
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Well told. I am so happy for you and Philip. I have been both moms as well, and sadly, sometimes revert between the two, but I’m learning. God is teaching me the finer points of love and joy and He is using my special needs daughter and her Special Olympics friends to do it. I’m slow, but I get there. We all will I hope, given time and patience. And love. -Shalom to you
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I know what you mean about reverting. It is a process, and we aren’t perfect, so we don’t also get it right.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
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Reblogged this on Catalyst Quotes and commented:
Beautiful post.
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You have an amazing perspective on life! I love the way this is written it is beautiful. And your son sounds amazing just the way he is! 🙂
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Yes, he is quite amazing.
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Reblogged this on eltricia's Blog and commented:
Just had to share.
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Reblogged this on iwantsomemeat.
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you are blessed with your insight!
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At first I thought you were mad about a babysitter or something. Lol. This is awesome. Good for you & setting a great example
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Glad I was able to trick you.
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Hey! You are on Freshly Pressed! Enjoy the ride.
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Thanks!
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Very well written. Going through something similar myself it can suck the joy out of raising your child from you but we can’t let it! We need to see the beauty in all our children and foster imagination not squash it! Now a loyal follower!
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So true-it’s not as fun much when you worry about your child doing it “right.”
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:’) beautiful
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Great writing and shows so much understanding of children’s need to create independently and also the additional challenges faced by parents and children with ASD. Ive worked with a lot of people who have autism and wish that more people could see past the condition and learn to appreciate their unique view of the world. Respect to all parents learning to share the world of an autistic child. Looks like you are doing an amazing job.
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I think her name is Kimberly! and i’m quite great with that! 🙂
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I loved this! My daughter is always marching to the beat of her own drum and it pains me not to correct her! i often find myself basically finishing crafts for her-how did you let go and let it happen! thats what i need to do
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It’s not easy, but if you value the process over the finished product you’ll learn to let go.
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Such a beautiful post… Thanks for sharing… 🙂
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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This absolutely beautiful; it brought tears to my eyes.
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Thank you.
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A beautiful story that reminds us how easy it is to get caught up in the ‘suppose to dos’ and ‘should dos’ that often crush a child’s creativity and uniqueness. The message here is relevant for every child, autistic or not. Who are we to adapt a child’s imagination. Imagination is a precious trait and should be encouraged to grow and expand with our children x
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Imagination is what makes life interesting and helps us solve problems. I’m not sure why we sometimes feel the need to squash it.
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You know, it never occurred to me your son might have special needs until i hit the comments. I see creative defiance that sounded like brilliance, and a mother who learned not to let the need for normalcy push her genious-in-the-making into conforming. But your compassion makes the tale beautiful either way. I too have a goofy smile as tears stream down my face. Don’t think for a second any real parent doesn’t know how human you are, but you needn’t apologize for “giving yourself too much credit”. What you’re struggling to become will be a daily battle until the day you battle no more. Please take a moment to realize you have inspired at least one, your son. And judging by the posts, the rest of us too.
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Gorgeous. That simple.
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This is a fantastic piece of writing and it is very inspirational. I will be sharing it with a friend who also has an autistic son.
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the way it read I thought she was only spirit.
strange story but good
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Wow. I know I’m late to the game, but THIS was amazing. I’m all teary eyed over here. *hugs*
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Beautiful
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