A couple of weeks ago, Esther-Faith started preschool. At a special needs preschool we selected during the IEP process. As with just about everything here at the HennHouse, we photographed it. (She really just thinks the cameras are part of our hands, anyway.) It would be strange NOT to take pictures. On the way…
The Things We Do For Our Children…
Once upon a time, there were certain things I never would have seen myself doing. Some of them were typical parenting things that I was yet blissfully unaware of. You know what I mean. Fishing peas out of nostrils, scrubbing Desitin out of cat fur, wiping peanut butter finger paintings off of walls — that…
One of “Those” Women
I had just returned from touring colleges with my son, Andy and ran into some friends at Peet’s Coffee. “Did he have any favorites?” one asked politely. “Well,” I said, “he loved Yale. Princeton and Brown are possibilities, but right now, it’s between Yale and Dartmouth.” “Good for him”, she replied halfheartedly, and I felt…
The Concept.
Last week our dog died. It was all pretty sudden. One day Nelson was there and the next day he wasn’t. Explaining to a three year old about death is not an easy thing. We talked about how he was a very sick puppy and that he had to go to the vet but the…
Unique In Many Ways
Don Johnson had his signature tee-shirt and blazer. Katherine Hepburn had her signature pleated, menswear-looking slacks. The Cat In The Hat, PeeWee Herman and Winston Churchill all have their signature bow ties. And my Ashley has her signature Chucks! And here is what she wanted for her birthday – more Chucks, of course! Often our…
A Little Self Talk
I think I even surprised myself with how much hope I had put into this year’s educational plan. I wanted this to be the year that Parker made up the gap between his age and where he should be academically. Or at least pass off each of his IEP goals. Things started off in high…
Special Exposure Wednesday
The only thing better than jumping on the bed is jumping on the bed while Mum watches (and takes photos). Footloose and fancy free, just before meltdown week started, Ivy and Noah relish in a normal childhood activity. Got something fun to share? Why don’t you join in the fun here at Special Exposure Wednesday….
What If We Had Listened to the Experts?
Sometimes I don’t know where to begin…or whether to begin at all. Ever been there? My brain freeze and total body paralysis occur when I begin to think about balancing the never-ending needs of four sons – three living with a variety of special needs which comprise a spectrum of behaviors and needs…mental as well…
Try This Tuesday #36: Helping A “New” Special Needs Parent
Welcome to another Try This Tuesday. For details on how to participate, please check out the welcome post. If you’d like to join in but aren’t sure what to write about, try the topic suggestion for this week: Helping a “New” Special Needs Parent. What would you say to someone who has just learned that…
Please don’t pity me because I have a kid with special needs
Saturday, my friend Sharon called. She’s an old friend from college, we talk a couple of times a year. She and her family are coming to our area Easter Sunday weekend, and she was going to stay at our house. When I spoke with her last week, she thought that maybe our family and hers…