The Humble Beginning of a Special Parenting Journey
When my first child was born, I was ecstatic. Having a son felt like a dream, and I spent all my free time with him. Nothing about his behavior seemed unusual compared to other children—he was bright, kind, and full of personality—so his diagnosis came as a surprise. Still, it didn’t change how I felt; I loved him unconditionally. As he grew older, he began to show some behaviors that many parents might worry about, but they never truly bothered me. What did bother me was the constant, unwarranted parenting advice from others. People would ask, “Have you tried this or that?” and, being human and protective, I sometimes snapped back. I’ve even responded sharply to other parents by saying things like, “No, I haven’t— Have you? Now ask yourself, why would I listen to you?” It’s tough, and I’ve learned to give myself and others some grace.
My second child is also on the spectrum, but very different from my first. He’s incredibly bright, with his own unique interests. At home he’s very talkative, yet at school he uses an AAC device, which is a contrast to his older brother. To better support both of my children, I’ve attended multiple classes and earned certifications in CPI, AED, and CPR. I’ve worked hard to be prepared and to care for them in every way I can, and I genuinely love doing it. Still, the hardest part isn’t the day-to-day challenges—it’s dealing with outside perceptions and how others think my children should be. This journey of learning to parent successfully is a humbling experience, requiring an open mind and objective focus, and it’s why I’m so passionate about sharing what I’ve learned.
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