Monthly Archives: November 2011
Whose disability is it, anyway?
Last year, my typically developing seven-year-old daughter had about a 1-minute homework attention span and over 30 minutes of homework daily. You do the math. I tried everything — pleading, yelling, coaxing, creating a consistent routine, using positive behavior reinforcements … Continue reading
Durga Tool #5: Asking Stupid Questions, aka Beginner’s Mind
Here’s another in my toolbox series of techniques that inspire me to live with joy, compassion and courage, as inspired by the Hindu goddess Durga – my nominee for patron saint of special needs parents. When it comes to raising … Continue reading
Playing Whac-a-Mole
The daily grind of life as a special needs parent often feels like a game of Whac-a-Mole. Have you played that arcade game? Equipped with one huge padded hammer, the player attempts to hit small mechanical moles that pop out of … Continue reading
A new perspective on sinking and swimming
Other people’s dreams can be so tedious, I know, but it can’t be helped. I’m at a support group with other parents of special needs kids; I can’t see the other participants (am invisible to them, too) because the room is … Continue reading
