Let’s Talk About Respite

I want to talk about something that's really important and most parents don't get enough of. If you're a special needs parent, you're probably all too familiar with the word respite. Basically, respite means break. More specifically, it means a temporary break and is usually associated with caregivers. While my focus is more on special needs parenting, this really applies to any parent because we all need to take care of ourselves and we all need a break from time to time. Many of you know that respite is hard to come by for many caregivers, myself included. While my kids are older and can stay home alone for periods of time, that's relatively new and wasn't always like that. They can't stay home overnight by themselves and while that…

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#Autism Parents: 4 Tips for Moving Somewhere Where You Don’t Know Anyone

I've talked about wanting to move for years. We need a bigger house and I'd like to be a bit farther away from the city, but there are so many things to consider before moving, especially when you have children with a diverse set of needs. Over the years I've talked to so many parents who found themselves in a position where moving was necessary but didn't know anyone at their new location. That can be scary and overwheming to say the least. You might be asking yourself, why would someone move to a place where they don't know anyone? The reality is that sometimes families have to move in order to locate services that their child needs. I've been asked many times for advice on how to handle situations…

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I’ve been thinking and it’s time for change

I have been thinking a lot recently, and I have made a decision. I want to take a few minutes and talk about it. This blog is pushing 12 years of age, and it's seen a great deal of change over the years. It started as Lost and Tired and evolved into what you see today. The evolution was necessary and, in many ways, a continuing process. One of the things that I have struggled with, especially as the kids got older, is privacy. When they were little, I was comfortable sharing more personal things because they we so young. As they get older, trying to balance sharing meaningful information and privacy, has been more challenging. If I'm candid, that's a large part of why I don't write as often…

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I’m teaching my kids that it’s okay to have a bad day

My day has been an absolute roller coaster. It was going so well until it wasn't. I had a kick ass workout and was feeling proud of myself. My kids came home from their mom's house, and were in a great mood. That's actually really awesome because things are improving for the kids and that makes me so happy. My day took an unexpected turn and you know what, that's life. Things happen and I can't always control it. I try really hard not to focus on the things I can't control but sometimes that's difficult. Today was one of those days. I dealt with it the best I could but it's tough to shield my kids from having to experience their Dad having a really bad day. I feel…

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Around The World On The Autism Spectrum

Any parent worries about travelling with children. When you add autism into that mix, it can seem best to leave your wanderlust well alone. In reality, though, children with autism deserve to enjoy the sights, sounds, and beauty of travel just as much as anyone else. We parents, too, could use the break! And, while we won’t lie and say that this is going to be easy, it’s important to note that plenty of autistic children travel well every single day.  Unsplash Image: CC0 Licence The main thing to remember is that, as with most things, forethought, careful planning, and intense preparation are the best possible ways to ensure a smooth trip. Here, we’re going to consider just a few of the key pointers to ensure that your vacation truly…

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How I recovered from a rough morning

My day started off a little rough. Nothing happened, I was just in a bit of a funk. I pushed myself to go workout and that helped. I remembered I hadn't eaten anything either. The workout was great and eating took care of the rest. Anyway, I bounced back and ended up having a fantastic day. Emmett went to my parents for the day and Elliott wanted to go back to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We ended up going by ourselves and had a great time. Elliott and I don't get one on one time very often, so it was nice. I also just found out I will be childless Thursday and Friday. Really kinda excited about that. I don't have anything to do but the downtime is welcomed for…

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Trying to set a positive example for my kids

It's been a pretty quiet day. I'm moving a bit slower today because I hurt in places I didn't even know I had. I workout almost every day and 70 minutes of Yoga has made me question everything I've been doing. LOL I cranked my mattress up to 117°F, used it like a full body heating pad, and was able to get a ton of work done this afternoon. I picked up a couple of new clients and that should prove to be a good thing. The original plan for the day was to take the kids hiking but it rained all afternoon. We were going to pick my mom up and take her with us but now we're going to shoot for later this week, assuming the weather cooperates.…

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I’m trying something new today

I'm taking on a brand new challenge today. I'm working pretty hard on getting myself back to a place of physical and emotional wellness. I'm perfectly healthy but I'm still losing weight, strengthening, and looking after my mental health. Rather than do my usual morning workout, I'm going to take a yoga class. I've never taken a yoga class in my life but I'm gonna give it a try because personal growth bro. I still deal with back pain from my accident and this could really help. Again, if nothing else, it's something we can do as a couple and that's important to me. I understand that this will be a beginners class but I'm a beginner, so that's probably a good idea. I have lost a lot of flexibility…

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