Alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen every two hours Alternate daytime / nighttime cold / cough remedy OR Allergy antihistamine – whatever seems to work well or that particular kiddo Vicks Vapor Rub (aka Mentholatum for other ‘old school peeps’ like me) on the chest and slathered about the feet at night with socks Warm mist humidifier…
Category Archives: Day In And Day Out
Daffodils at Night
I made a tour of every store I could think of that might have potted daffodils. The kind you buy as a hostess gift for Easter brunch…or whatever…but this was even a little late for that. Two nurseries, the drug store, and three grocery stores later I finally found a little pot of miniature daffodils. I wasn’t sure they were quite what she was after.
Magical Moment
I never would have walked away from her and sat in the shade to talk with another mom at that age. I would have been hovering over her and wondering where all the other parents were, anyway. Then I think of where she is now with her skills and another wave of relief washes over me. I can be one of the parents sitting over in the shade, still watchful, but more at ease.
On Our Tweens and (Not) Letting Them Flounder
“You must be so busy, with four kids!” People say when I introduce my family. And I look at them, thinking, “Well, no, not really.” (Minus the doctor and specialist appointments). You see, until this year, there haven’t been extracurricular activities. It was enough to take two older girls to the park 3 days a…
The Social Pendulum
All of these subtle social skills that seem to just fall into place for other children. So many ideas and concepts that I hadn’t even thought about before, and now have to figure out how to teach them to someone to whom they really just don’t make sense. First we’re explaining this side and then we’re explaining the other, and back and forth we go
Special Exposure Wednesday – Can You See Him?
Somebody’s inside the “tent” that his behavioral consultant made for him: Can you see him? Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
Parenting and World War II Movies – The Big Realization
We’re in the trenches, people. We eat, sleep and breathe what our kids need at home. Advocate for them at school and in extracurricular activities. Read and pursue resources. Maybe even dream about them. I know I do. With two girls diagnosed with a slew of different special needs and their sisters who’s lives have…
It’s All About the Choices
I woke this morning at 5:00am to the old dog scratching to be let out. I complied, then laid down on the couch. Sadly, I couldn’t fall back to sleep; my mind awash with all the things I could, or should, be doing. Go to the gym? I’m out of shape and overweight and desperately…
How Not to Talk Behind My Back…
When Jack was first diagnosed, I was horrified. Depressed. Had major anxiety attacks. Cried for hours. Somewhere around Jack’s second year, I felt myself changing. I no longer longed for the green field across the fence–I was OK with the patchy grass holding one perfectly beautiful flower in my own yard. So, I started writing…
World Changer
All of those letters, primary diagnosis, possible co-morbid conditions, what does it all mean? This form to fill out, those contacts to call, these questions to ask, those books to read. This meeting to have, those services to request. It was back to school special parenting style.