It was a bitter cold winter. The viral rage was throwing pots of boiling water out the door so kids could watch it freeze mid-air. I was beginning to feel like we were back to our homeschooling years. Administrators had closed school so often. Even if you don’t live in the frigid North like I…
On New Year’s Eve, I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at a blinking cursor and a blank screen. This is a kind of torture particular to writers, and I know it well. Grace ambled in with a book after lunch. It was a book we’d given her for Christmas, Infomaniac: Become an Expert in an…
I don’t know about you, but I have always found as a special needs parent, that all of the typical comments that come with a new year ring really hollow…all the wishes that are definitely well-meant, like… “May this be your best year ever…” “May this year bring good health and healing to you and…
I asked other special-needs moms what their New Year’s resolutions are. Here’s what they said. Potty training my son. Hearing my boys speak. Having hope. Decreasing my anxiety. Losing weight. Going back to school. Embracing my reality. Working out each day. Having more motivation. Getting a new job that pays more. Finding respite care. Praying…
Posted by Reggie Joiner | Jan 13, 2014 | Every year, two professors from a small college in Wisconsin publish a “Mindset” list to remind us that every freshman has a completely different knowledge base than previous generations. Maybe you’ve seen the list. For example, this year, the class of 2017 has. . . never…
Today, we hear from Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a writer, curriculum designer, and speaker who has served with a number of non-profit organizations (and has spoken to thousands of Millennials) over the last 5 years. He now serves on our team at Growing Leaders. This has been a year of change for our county and our…
A crucial link exists between your ability to parent and your personal growth. This parenting value—making it personal—is going to challenge you as a parent in a way the other values don’t. This one will benefit your kids, for sure. But it’s not directly about them, it’s about you. In a very real way, making it personal will help every…
If you’re like many parents, you’re busy making resolutions this week. I think that’s a great idea. But have you any made any resolutions related to your family? I’m a big fan of goals. Michael Hyatt outlines a number of compelling reasons you should actually write down your resolutions. The most persuasive for me is…
Most of us clasp our hands around our airplane seat divider exposing our white knuckles trying to act like we’re really reading that book in our other hand and really comprehending it when the ride starts to get bumpy. But not for Joey. He loves the bumps! Sure, we’re doing just fine! But for Joey,…
You followed all of the advice. With tenderness and care, you purchased all of the tagless clothes and made the sensory-friendly accommodations. You examined all of the lists for the best Christmas toys for children with special needs. And you made dietary choices that would best suit your child’s restrictions. STILL your holidays aren’t as…