As an autism parent, I am especially grateful for all of our victories – they are what keep me going. They are often the everyday dull things that so many parents take for granted as their normal.
Seeing my son happy, makes me happy. And I am grateful that I can appreciate the moment. It’s that simple.
Being an autism parent has changed my whole perspective on what really matters. It’s not about academic achievements, trophies or awards. I just want my son to live up to his own potentials and be happy.
Yes, raising a kid with autism can be challenging. But I can still easily list all the things I am grateful for. So I posed the question to other autism parents and – not surprisingly – I could identify with all of them.
The things you’re grateful for as an autism parent.
I’m thankful that we have educational options in this country because school is not one size fits all. (Amanda, Confessions from a Household Six)
I’m thankful for a loving, affectionate daughter. Not many teens hold their mom’s hand in public without dying of embarrassment. (Jessica, Four Plus An Angel)
I’m thankful that we don’t take any milestone for granted, and that we celebrate every one achieved, big or small. (Mary, Both Hands and a Flashlight)
Support of family members who are willing to help out and drop anything when we need it. (Marj, The Domestic Goddess)
My son just sang along with the radio for the first time. My family we grew up all singing along to the radio in the car all the time and I’d always imagined doing the same thing with my kids. (Jessica, Don’t Mind The Mess)
I’m grateful for the amazing teachers who take their work home at night to try to make the world a safer, better, easier place for my kids. (Alysia, Try Defying Gravity)
Morning snuggles, professionals and non who value my child, and trampolines. (Dawn, This Side of Typical)
Jack is doing a great job “sharing space” lately, which means we can cuddle under the same blanket and watch Mythbusters together.(Jennifer, Into the Woods, notes from jennyalice)
I am grateful for parent support groups, melatonin and heavy blankets. (Michelle, She’s Always Write)
I am thankful to be able to laugh even when things can be so, so hard. (Jennifer, Anybody Want a Peanut?)
I’m grateful that Nik was able to identify an emotion tonight. He told me “feel angry, mama no computer” when I asked why he kept hitting the keyboard on my laptop as he was eating dinner. I was on FB. (Beth, Maternal Instincts…flying by the seat of my pants)
I’m grateful for other parents who acknowledge they don’t fully understand my son’s needs, and ask potentially uncomfortable questions. There is no unwelcome question, in my book, only an unwelcome assumption. (Bil, Pancakes Gone Awry)
I’m grateful that Danny couldn’t care less about being cool. He is just who he is. He gets so completely, overwhelmingly excited over fun stuff like our Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and decorating the Christmas tree or building forts. He doesn’t care that those things are uncool. (Patty, Pancakes Gone Awry)
I am thankful that my boys not only made me a better mother but a better person. They have taught me to be a patient listener, to give grace before advice, and that some of the most beautiful moments are spent laying next to my boys on the living room floor watching the ceiling fan spin. (Sunday, Adventures in Extreme Parenthood)
Originally published on Parents/To The Max November 21, 2012
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