I am not an expert.
I am not even an experienced parent when it comes to this stuff.
We received official diagnoses for both the boys within a year of each other. I think the diagnoses help me to understand them better, although sometimes I am pretty sure that now know even less about how to help them.
I share the day-to-day realities of being a mommy to two highly gifted boys (both tested in the genius range). My oldest has high functioning autism, anxiety disorder, Lupus and Sjogrens Syndrome. My youngest has learning difficulties that include a processing disorder and dyslexia. We homeschool. It can get ugly ’round here.
I share because I think it’s important. I found so many books that defined the diagnosis, gave all sorts of options from experts, and even shared case studies. But finding a resource that honestly talks about how to possibly survive all of this, every.single.day, and live gratefully, with purpose and love has been much tougher to find.
I was asked recently what I would tell myself when I was a young mom, worried and wondering why her baby was so different.
My answer was simple: when you are the mom, you know more about your child than anyone else. That should MATTER. It should matter when speaking with medical professionals. It should matter when you are trying to figure out what to do next to help your little one. It should matter at least as much, if not more than what the experts, or your parents, or your friends, or all the moms at the toddler group say.
God made me these boys’ momma. He always knows what He is doing, even if I don’t. Resting in the fact that I am part of His plan for these lives, with my flaws and fears and complete inability to respond well to all this need, is not only helpful, it’s the truth.
I need to be reminded of that truth, all the time. I am guessing that, no matter what the medical history or circumstances, this is true for every mom.
These posts are about recognizing, reminding, and remembering…for all of us.
Labels, Labels, and Labels, Oh My!
On Mommy Guilt, Public Judgement and Grace
To The Mommy I Was Seven Years Ago
When Your Big Brother Has Autism