Parenting is a challenge.  Parents all know that.  Most of us went in to the whole thing knowing this ahead of time.  Recently, my mom asked me…”Did you think you could ever have done this?” And, you know…I’m not sure I thought I could.  I know for a fact on one lonely day while waiting to move back to Saginaw, I sat in my living room thinking those exact thoughts.  “How am I going to do this?  How will I ever be able to be alone, and accomplish parenting and everything else?”  This among the typical sobs that I had then.  Not to mention the thoughts on never finding love again.  (that’s a whole different blog)

I had a 3 year old, and a 5 1/2 year old when I moved here.  (old news- I know) That 3-year-old needed me as much as any baby, and the 5-year-old needed me even more with the addition of an autism diagnosis.  She was always in need of me.  I took on that role without hesitation.  I cried a lot, and I stressed a lot.  I took a LOT of Prilosec.  Single mom life.  I can’t even stress how hard this is, but most of us take it on without question.  We just don’t.  Do we have a choice?  (well- maybe some do, but the choice was clear for me)

This month has brought on new challenges and new things.  I took them on, and I am dealing with it as I always have.  Do I collapse in to bed at night?  YEP.  I get a lot done, and then I really do.  I sob on and off, at random times for random reasons.  These times are much less than they used to be.  This autism thing is an emotional roller coaster.  You have to have some thick skin for this…and I hope mine has grown to be that way.   Just when I think it’s going good…autism SMACKS me in the face and brings on a whole new challenge.

When you ask how I do it…I don’t really ever think of how I do it.  I just do, and so would most of you. And, no…I do not want to teach autistic kids.  No offense, but I get enough of that at home.    

Bring it on autism…I am about ready to buy a suit of armor.

(Now do you see a good reason for ART?)