Make Them Laugh

Haven't you found that laughter lifts everyone up? We need to surround ourselves - and remind our children - to laugh especially at ourselves. This cute crew entertained the hometown crowd in a recent parade. Hope it makes you smile!

Bullies All Around Them

Reading my daughter's note to her teachers reminds me that over the years I have seen many forms of bullying in the schools (not to mention the buses!), and we must spend time teaching our children to fend for themselves even if it's just disregarding hurtful comments. Some children, like my daughter, are extremely sensitive and don't even want to share with me what made her cry in school. She was always afraid I'd do something to further embarass her or draw attention to her lack of intelligence. She is only now, in 8th grade, able to even form the words which describe her hell at school.

It's a hard knock life for all special needs kids. People who think they get what they need in the schools are really missing the whole issue. Left and right these kids are falling in between the cracks, many times because they aren't yet up to the struggle, many times because they get tired of the fight, many times because they actually believe they are stupid.

God bless the teachers and counselors who look out for them.

In my daughter's words

My life in school

I am writing about how I feel. Ok here it goes, when I was in class my friend was saying little words out loud about me sucking my thumb, then I felt that she shouldn’t say out loud. Because 4 people could hear what she said. Because when ever I was doing that, she keeps saying that twice everyday. And I felt like a dork. Because she is not my boss to say that. and the four people are joking about it. And it makes me embarrassed and I hide my face and started to cry. Because I do not want people staring at me. Because it well makes me cry a lot more. Every year when I was in school they does that to me a lot. I well tell you why I suck my thumb. Because when I was a baby I couldn’t hear and I well get sad easily. My brother kept stealing my paci, so I didn’t have anything to make me fell better, so I started to suck my thumb when I was little. I was lonely. Today I suck my thumb when I was tired and sad. But when I was in the bus I started remembered that the past my friends was smiling at me and I felt so happy in my life, to make me feel better. Because my friends never ever make fun of me. Because I was having fun with my friends who are nice to me. And I wish that people are nice to me from now on.

By Caroline

The importance of mentoring

I have three special needs children, and one thing which has made sense to pursue was mentorships. Nothing formal. Just establishing touchstones for my children in the community. People who love them, understand them and wish the best for them (children can SO pick up on vibes). Our church youth group, with the volunteer adults, is a great place for my children to be nurtured. Another is to select adults who hold careers of interest to the child or who carry the same diagnosis as the child.

This is Ed Buckner, weatherman for KTHV in LR. He also suffers from Tourette's and has been a source of inspiration to Carter. His interest in Carter is priceless. However frustrated he gets with himself, he has proof that he is not stupid because Ed has Tourett'es too, and he's not stupid.

Here's to all the wonderful role models and mentors, Big Brothers and Big Sisters out there - hoorah!

It's That Time of Year

It's that time of year here in Arkansas. As soon as the first slightly cool whiff of air blows from the north a large portion of the population heads to the woods and the lakes to stalk all manner of beasts. Hey, it's good fun and a great way to bond with family members.

Although my children and I don't hunt, they do like to fish, and their daddy works to feed his duck hunting obsession.

These girls hunt and are second cousins. They hunt squirrel, deer and turkey with their daddies.

Here's the quntessential Deer Chili recipe if you can get hold of some deer meat! Enjoy!

Deer Chili

2 lbs deer hamburger

1 onion

1 bell pepper

2 -3 cloves garlic

1 can light red kidney beans

1 can tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 - 2 jalapenos

1 - 2 cans water (or beer)

3 - 4 tsp chili powder

salt & pepper

1 pkg chili seasoning mix

Brown deer, onion, garlic and pepper together.

Add remaining ingredients.

Simmer 30 minutes

Everybody needs a Time Out

Now that school is in full swing, I'd like to take a moment to remind everyone about stress overload.

My children get stressed when school starts. it IS exciting, BUT... my daughter is afraid she isn't smart, and the new coursework will be too hard for her. Psshh! Puhlease! My son with Tourett's has such an increase in tics during stressful times that we are homeschooling him this year. My son with Asperger's just does nutty things and acts kind of "jerky" as in not paying attention, zoning out, hitting bumpers.....

Consider this, though, those of you who are parents of special needs children... when my son was in 3rd grade, we found ourselves in a different school district, different state for a year. The school he attended introduced him to a "quiet spot" on his first day of school. The "quiet spot" was located in a corner of the resource room and was sectioned off by bookshelves and had a big, comfy beanbag chair in the middle of the space with quiet toys and night shade (dark sunglasses) in case he needed a dark place. he was told he could go there anytime. You know, he never used that "quiet spot" during that school year, but he would periodically check on it to make sure it was there.

Everybody chill!!!

First Wreck

My 16 yr old son who suffers from Asperger's had an accident today - his first. As he swung his car into a parking slot at the dentist's office, he hit the bumper of a parked van.

There were so many blessings - nobody in van, nobody hurt, on private property, so he didn't have to bear interrogations by the police, and the mother who was very understanding.

STILL, he was very upset for several hours tearing up that first hour, convinced he would get arrested, his dad would take the car away, he would lose his license, etc. A couple of hours later and at home, I glanced out the kichen window and announced, "They're here!" because my 23 yr old son and his girlfriend had arrived for supper. Timmy thought the police had arrived to take him away....

If it weren't so sad, I would laugh. Just when I thought he was doing so good (and he IS!), and I didn't have to worry so, I see how easy it is for him to be blindsided into a confused state.

They are never too old for their mama.