5 Minutes for Special Needs

Love is…

Written on February 10, 2012 by Heather P

2 Comments

Love is…

Love is… a choice.

Love is… knowing that without them, life would be empty and cold.

Love is… sharing tears.

Love is…worth fighting for.

Love is…a knowing glance across a room.

Love is… hurting for someone else.

Love is… a familiar smell.

Love is… something that is so easily tossed aside when times get tough.

Love is… not flowers and candy.

Love is…sickness, health, and everything in between.

Love is…Ramen and cereal for dinner while the baby eats organic baby food.

Love is… watching the eldest give selflessly to the little one (who has turned her world upside-down).

Love is… holding hands through IEPs, diagnoses, and sheer pain.

Love is… cuddling on the couch watching Wall-E for the 37,000^th time.

Love is… helping to clean without being asked.

Love is… the joy of a milestone reached.

Love is… take- out Chinese on really rough days.

Love is…getting up at 2 AM to help change the bed (or give a bath to the child swimming in tube feed).

Love is… whispers around the fire after the children are asleep.

Love is…knowing the social security numbers of the entire family by heart.

Love is…patient and kind and good.

Love is…a blessing.

What is love to YOU?

Happy Valentine’s Day– from Fort Hopeful and 5 Minutes for Special Needs!

in Advocacy, Family Life, Holidays, Support

- 2 Comments

Magical Moment

Written on February 8, 2012 by Kimberly

2 Comments

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.

in Autism Spectrum, Day In And Day Out, PDD, Social Skills, Typical Siblings

- 2 Comments

Special Exposure Wednesday – Munkd

Written on February 7, 2012 by Florence

1 Comment

This is why Woody got relegated to the toy bin: I should be thankful they’re toys and not the real ones right? Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.

in Autism Spectrum, Developmentally Delayed, Special Exposure Wednesday

- 1 Comment

On Our Tweens and (Not) Letting Them Flounder

Written on February 7, 2012 by Laurie

0 Comments

“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…

in ADHD, Dealing With Public Perceptions, Mental Health, Social Skills

- 0 Comments

Magic Marker Monday — Snow Painting…

Written on February 5, 2012 by Michelle

2 Comments

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… We finally got around to a winter art project we’ve been dying have…

in Magic Marker Monday

- 2 Comments

The Social Pendulum

Written on February 2, 2012 by Kimberly

8 Comments

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

in Autism Spectrum, Communication, Day In And Day Out, PDD, Social Skills

- 8 Comments

Special Exposure Wednesday – Can You See Him?

Written on January 31, 2012 by Florence

3 Comments

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.

in Autism Spectrum, Day In And Day Out, Developmentally Delayed, Family Life, Special Exposure Wednesday

- 3 Comments

Parenting and World War II Movies – The Big Realization

Written on January 31, 2012 by Laurie

3 Comments

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…

in Day In And Day Out, Laughing Through The Tears

- 3 Comments

Magic Marker Monday — Recycled Robot…

Written on January 30, 2012 by Michelle

1 Comment

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… What I saw: A box needing to be flattened and stuffed in the…

in Magic Marker Monday

- 1 Comment

It’s All About the Choices

Written on January 28, 2012 by Maggie

13 Comments

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…

in Day In And Day Out

- 13 Comments