Mixed Blessings – An Interview with Bobbi

When I visited Bobbi at her blog, Mixed blessings, I saw a question posted that said, “If you were a pirate, how would you avoid laughing when saying ‘poop deck’?” I knew at that moment that I had to interview her!

Tell me a little about yourself and your family.

I am a 30 something married stay at home Mom with 2 kids. We live in Northern California. My daughter Molly is 10 and my son Parker will be six in January. Parker has autism. We live in a small town but are moving to a bigger town soon. We are really excited because it’s pretty rural there.

Tell me more about Parker’s disabilities. Did you know when he were born that he had disabilities. If not, how did you feel when you discovered it?

We found out that Parker had autism when he was five. From the time he was a baby I can trace back the signs. I didn’t know it then, but I can see it looking back. First he startled really easily and for a long time. When he was 2 1/2 he still wasn’t talking well and he was very sensitive. He tapped the tv repeatedly, jumped in place, punched the air, lined things up and was very picky. He was very afraid of loud noises and new things.

We had him tested. I came in with all the facts and quirks. He was observed for 3 sessions and yes, he had autism. By that time however, I wasn’t freaked out. I had known it in my heart. It didn’t change him. I didn’t cry or anything because I just knew.

We enrolled him in an autistic preschool, even though I was very afraid. We put him in ABA therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Since then he is doing fantastic! He has overcome a lot of fears. He has learned things I never would have imagined. Now, still in the autistic preschool, they want to pull him out and put him in a regular Kindergarten. I am so proud of him. He has come so far.

You blog a lot about Parker’s issues, and that is so valuable to me and I’m sure, to others that read your blog. How did you go about making the decision to blog about him? What do you personally get out of blogging about Parker and his issues?

I chose to blog about my family because I’d read all the other great autism blogs. I came across a blog list for autism one day and knew I wanted to be part of it. I felt like I wasn’t alone in everything anymore. Other people knew how I was feeling and it was ok. I loved reading the other blogs and posting on my blog. I loved that other parents had struggles that were similar. I also adore my kids and love talking about them and sharing pictures!

How have Parker’s disabilities affected you as a person and as a mother?

Parker has changed me so much. I take things slower and I appreciate the small things. I notice every little thing he does and I thank God for every accomplishment. I see Molly as a big sister and caretaker for Parker. We don’t ask her to, she just does. She teaches him things and loves him unconditionally. She takes him to school for show and tell. She’s also brought a book about autism and talked in front of the class about her brother. She is the best sister he could have. He has made us all better people. He makes us laugh, notice every loud or small noise and taught us the names of every kind of vehicle!

Make sure to visit Bobbi and her lovely family at her blog, Mixed Blessings!

Deborah can be found writing here at 5MFSN every Sunday and Wednesday, and can also be found at Pipecleaner Dreams.

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