What Do i do Now? HeySistah Publishing

I was very lucky to have a Mom that empowered me to always speak up about what I wanted, and how I felt.  Even when I was mad at her she listened to why and then explained to me why I was wrong and ended up blaming only myself and apologizing for my bad judgement or poor choices.  She was a master at mental manipulation, making you feel guilty for doing wrong, even if she didn't know what I did, I knew and that was infinitely worse on my conscience than she ever could be. I endeavor to raise my kids the same, with lot's of love and affection, empowerment, including them in decisions. As a child  (I always hated being told by other adults my opinion didn't matter because I wasn't grown yet and paying bills), I truly believe thats why so many kids commit suicide because they are told what they are feeling isn't important in the scheme of things, but obviously it is because their problems are real in their lives as they struggle through puberty a...

To quote Frank Sinatra "I did it My way" Since my Mom passed I basically feel like a boat set adrift in the ocean with no navigational ability and no sense of direction.  For years I was a single woman, with no kids that traveled, indulged my every whim, and enjoyed life to the fullest. At this point in my life I am experiencing my trials and tribulations, everything is now a battle, to be heard, to be respected, to be acknowledged, to be taken seriously, and to be relevant. Thank God  I can write because I've written so many letters to the Board of Ed, various organizations. companies, I feel like I'm back in college,WTF!  My oldest  son has ADHD and my youngest has autism and is totally non-verbal. I've had to adjust from a life with no limits to a life with an overwhelming number of limits for my housing, the education of my children, the foods that are best for my kids health and well-being, and even the care of the dog.     It has also bee...

PUTTING YOUR AUTISTIC CHILD TO SLEEP SO YOU CAN REST!! When my son was younger he would only sleep 8 hours at a time, and it was particularly difficult to get him to wind down.  He would run around from room to room disturbing the neighbors and everyone elses sleep as well. Many articles suggested using Melatonin, I myself dreaded the idea of how to get my son to injest a pill. So I considered other ways and found 2 that work well for me. I found a routine is pivotal when giving your autistic childs life structure and purpose.  My son loves water so I took him to the store and bought Thomas the train bath toys and then allowed him to play with his toys while he bathed which relaxed him.  Next after drying him off I would give him a relaxing massage while playing classical music, I have also found that cable televison has thse short films of the coral reefs with soothing music in the background and my son LOVES fish. I would also recommend getting a fish tan...

Life is crazy with its ups and downs.  I never would have thought I would be where I am now, yet here I am. I started working sophmore year of high school and didnt stop until my mom got sick with cancer and had to have treatments 5 days a week.  I dont regret stopping work to care for her, it was the best and worst time of my life. My mom and I became great friends and I came to understand her as a woman not just my mommie. The child in me misses her everyday and longs for the soothing tones of her voice, it always made me feel like everything was gonna be ok just because she said it.  Now my sons look to me to give that reassurance and comfort.  I never thought that I would have to protect them from their loved ones too. I see so many people that have subsidized housing that are lazy and trifling and unambitious. I just want a safe and clean home for myself and my children and I can't seem to catch a break, I think about how much money my kids would receive ...

Lately, it seems as though Nolans progress is going super fast, I always knew my son wasn't  mentally disabled but I wasn't prepared for how smart he actually is!! In the last few weeks he has mastered my iPhone so well that he wiz's through the apps I've downloaded for him, and now that I've showed him just once how to pull up a video from the circus he goes in my phone and plays it over and over again.  Not to mention in the course of pulling up the video he figured how to work the camera so now he has literally 100's of selfies!! He's so wonderfully playful with his big brother, he wrestles with him, and he takes our dogs favorite toys and makes him chase him through the house!!  He dresses and undresses himself for school, and even has an opinion on what I pack for his lunch!! I try not to get discouraged by the fact that he still hasn't uttered any words but encouraged by the fact he can retrieve items i request from another room, clean up h...