Support is everything

One of the biggest things for me as a parent of higher needs children is support. I am not going to lie, I have not always had the support I have now. Guess what, that is the norm when it comes to parenting. Even more so when your child acts out or otherwise makes it difficult to go be with other kids.

When Bullfrog was younger, he would act out all the time (course, we STILL have issues with this now) and I would be forced to leave in the middle of an event or just stay home with him. I began to feel very alone and suffered swings in depression. Then when I delivered my little Monkey, I was hitting rock bottom. She didn't talk much, she cried a lot, she needed to ALWAYS have something in her mouth and her suction was STRONG ... it was just bad. My husband was working many, MANY, hours. I knew that there was something off, but everyone was telling me that I was just putting too much into it.

Does any of this resonate with you? Yes? Guess what ... you are NOT alone. It took YEARS of fighting and finally deciding that I didn't care what others said, I was taking them in. However, once I got the diagnosis, I was left with this big "now what" looming over me.

I turned to social media and joined several Facebook groups. I started following blogs that gave me insight on handling my precious children. The children who wanted to make friends and wanted to be like everyone else. I found a local group called Autism Society - The Heartland. As soon as I was able, I paid my $30 membership fees for my family. Today I finally got to take my kids to an event. It was at one of our favorite pools, but I knew that everyone around would be on the autism spectrum. My babies felt so comfortable with everyone. Parents could chat with each other knowing that being interrupted by a meltdown was completely normal. No one judged anyone, or looked funny to someone whose child wasn't sitting still.

Bliss. Freedom. Relaxation.

I felt at home. My kids felt accepted. My neuro-normal children made friends and had a great time. This was just the perfect way to end summer with my children.