Read more about the article My #autistic son is such an inspiration to me
Emmett John / My thoughts / Proud Daddy Moments

My #autistic son is such an inspiration to me

I know not everyone will get this and that's okay. I also know that many of you will celebrate with me because you understand the significance of what I'm about to say. For those who are unable to relate, I hope this provides a bit of insight into the challenges kids on the autism spectrum can deal with on the daily. Mr. Emmett is a character. There's no two ways about it. He's so full of personality and life that frankly, it can be a bit overwhelming for me at times. He has an infectious smile and a belly laugh that will melt your heart. At just 12 years old, he's one of the smartest people I've ever met in my life. We're talking scary smart. Like, as his Dad,…

10 Comments
November 9, 2020
Read more about the article Update: It’s been 234 days of #COVID lockdown so far
COVID19 / Lockdown / My thoughts

Update: It’s been 234 days of #COVID lockdown so far

Life is getting a bit more challenging. For those who don't know, COVID is significantly worsening in Ohio. As of writing, we're a stone's throw away from 3,000 cases a day. There's a nursing home about a mile or so from my house with over 80 confirmed cases. It's really getting scary. My cars still in the shop and will be for a couple of weeks. That's a bit stressful because we truly are trapped at home. It's not like we would be going anywhere, especially since COVID is so bad locally, but looking out the window and seeing the car missing is an emotional blow. Maybe that doesn't make sense.. I've been insanely busy with work related things lately.  I'm trying to get season 3 of the podcast finished…

1 Comment
October 25, 2020
Read more about the article We’ve had some struggles with remote learning but we’re going to do better
My thoughts

We’ve had some struggles with remote learning but we’re going to do better

I've been getting some really positive feedback for the first Parent to Parent episode. If you've not listened, you can do so by clicking here or stream it where you get your podcasts. Waking up to tons of positive feedback and parents wanting to take part is pretty amazing. It feels good to have a positive impact on peoples lives. Thank you everyone for all the support. Moving on.... The second quarter started today and I'm hoping that it will be better than the first quarter. Remote learning is a huge change from being in the classroom and the boys are struggling with it. It's not just them, it's pretty much most, if not all of the kids are having similar struggles. There's been homework that never got turned in…

1 Comment
October 20, 2020
Read more about the article OMFG!! He tried a new food!!!
My thoughts

OMFG!! He tried a new food!!!

I know I'm behind on writing and it is what it is. I'm doing the best I can at the moment. I wanted to close the weekend off with a brief update because it's been a pretty good weekend for us. Aside from groceries and a few other deliveries, it's been a quiet weekend. We did some yard work and cleaned up the first round of leaves. I finally got everything worked out with State Farm and the repairs on the car have begun. It's gonna be about three weeks before she's all repainted, refinished and ready to come home. Thankfully, we don't need to go anywhere. Anyway, for the most part, everyone's gotten along and fighting has been minimal. That's always a good thing. I finally replaced our UNO…

6 Comments
October 19, 2020
Read more about the article I’m feeling really good about this
My thoughts

I’m feeling really good about this

So the response to my Parent to Parent series has been amazing thus far. I've got several parents already scheduled and many more in the process. This is so cool because I love meeting new people and I've not met any of these parents prior to guest discussions. I don't want to do a great deal of research outside of a brief bio and making sure they are who they say they are. When you listen to these conversations, you'll hear me getting to know these people for the very first time. I think this is such a cool idea because it's not rehearsed or scripted. I have a list of questions but so far, we've not made it through them because the conversation takes on a life of its…

0 Comments
October 13, 2020
Read more about the article I feel so defeated tonight
My thoughts

I feel so defeated tonight

Today is one of those days where I feel like I've crumbled under the weight of everything going on in my life. It's been one of those days where I feel utterly defeated and pretty much a failure. The kids have been struggling this weekend and I've not been able to make it better. I'm doing the best I can but it's not enough. I feel like my attention is divided too many times and I'm spread too thin. That shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone. There are projects around the house that need done and aren't getting any closer to completion. My car is currently in limbo because I'm fighting with insurance to cover all the damages and it's taking some time. The kids and I are struggling…

2 Comments
October 12, 2020
Read more about the article A long overdue, deeply personal update
Inspirational Posts / My thoughts

A long overdue, deeply personal update

It's been a little while since I've really talked about how I'm doing on a personal level. There's not really a reason for that I'm just a bit overwhelmed and when this happens, it's not as easy for me to write. That said, it's important that I do anyway because it's incredibly therapeutic for me to do so. For the most part, I think I'm doing pretty well. Could I be doing better? Of course I could. Could I be doing worse? You betcha.. I'm trying to manage a lot right now and it's not easy. The balance between work and family is quite challenging, especially when the kids are learning from home. I need to be working but they need guidance and support because remote learning is a very…

6 Comments
October 9, 2020
Read more about the article It’s been a heartbreaking day
COVID19 / Link / Lockdown / My thoughts

It’s been a heartbreaking day

Remote learning is like a fucking emotional roller-coaster for everyone involved, but especially for our kiddos on the autism spectrum. We have had our ups and downs but today was a particularly challenging. I stopped working today, which is hugely problematic, in order to help Emmett navigate his schoolwork. For some reason, he was completely overwhelmed by the tasks on the screen before him. There's a million reasons he's overwhelmed but I don't know what pushed him over the edge today. How many of you out there have seen similar with your own kids lately? It's currently 3pm and I've been trying to help him work through his anxiety, frustration and whatever else he's feeling that I can't see on the surface, all day now. Remote learning is a necessary…

0 Comments
October 6, 2020