Read more about the article Effective Parenting Under Lockdown
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Effective Parenting Under Lockdown

Being a parent is incredibly rewarding… but also extraordinarily hard. Being a parent to a child with a condition like Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) brings with it its own unique set of challenges. Whatever the stresses and strains of your parenting journey, it’s likely that they’ve been exacerbated by the current pandemic and lockdown. Here we’ll look at some of the greatest enemies of effective parenting while on lockdown, as well as what you can do about them. Image by DDimitrova via Pixabay Unrealistic expectationsThis is something that most parents struggle with anyway. However, it’s safe to say that we’re all especially stern self-critics while under lockdown. We might see images of harmonious households on social media or parenting blogs. But while others are baking banana bread, you’re trying to…

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April 28, 2020
Read more about the article Lockdown is becoming more and more challenging
COVID19 / Lockdown / My thoughts

Lockdown is becoming more and more challenging

I'm so burned out today. I did an interview this afternoon with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and I was a bit nervous about that. I think it went well and I should have that for you all in a couple of weeks, maybe soon. It all depends on how I manage the schedule. We're on day 52 of lockdown and it's fair to say that it getting to all of us at this point. I tried getting the kids to leave the house and while Elliott and Emmett were on board, Gavin flat out refused. We're in a situation where we all go or no one goes. There is no chance that I would leave Gavin home alone, unmedicated and in the middle of a global pandemic. I don't…

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April 28, 2020
Read more about the article What I’ve learned after 50 days of #COVID19 lockdown
COVID19 / Lockdown / My thoughts

What I’ve learned after 50 days of #COVID19 lockdown

The boys and I have been on lockdown for a total of 50 days today. When you think about that, it's crazy. 50 days of not going anywhere and not having contact with anyone outside of ourselves. I feel Ike this is a pretty big milestone and we should recognize that. It's not uncommon for me to beat myself up for my shortcomings, of which I feel there are many. Things are challenging and I believe I should be doing better. I can't tell you how many times I feel like I'm failing my kids. Those feeling will probably always be there, at least to some degree. The truth is, my job is difficult and the reality is, all things considered, I'm sorta kicking ass. It's not perfect because I'm…

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April 25, 2020
Read more about the article A long overdue update and a big thank you to @tamronhall and @hollyrpeete
My thoughts

A long overdue update and a big thank you to @tamronhall and @hollyrpeete

It's been a really long week and I'm unbelievably stressed out. My chest is feeling heavy and I can't seem to relax. The boys have been at each other's throats and Gavin has been freaking out for the last couple of days. The noise is really starting to get to me. The kids are struggling with lockdown and while it's a necessary evil for the foreseeable future, it's getting harder and harder to get through the day. My kids hate, and I mean hate change. This has proven to be much more change than they're able to cope with. It's really getting to be much harder as time goes on because everyone's patience and tolerance is wearing thin. Gavin is finally off the Clozapine and has been for a few…

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April 25, 2020
Read more about the article Purchases to Keep You Occupied During Lockdown
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Purchases to Keep You Occupied During Lockdown

There are many awful things going on in the world right now. The spread of coronavirus has resulted in a worldwide pandemic and a huge amount of sickness and number of deaths. So, complaining about boredom when staying home to protect ourselves, others and the healthcare systems battling the virus can often feel like a bit of a first world problem to focus on. But when it comes down to it, some of us need distraction, occupation and something to pay attention to in order to maintain our mental and emotional health. Boredom can lead to distress and this isn’t good for anyone. Now, some of us already have hobbies that we carry out at home and are in luck, as we already have all the bits and pieces we…

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April 21, 2020
Read more about the article #COVID19 Lockdown: Day 44
COVID19 / Lockdown / My thoughts

#COVID19 Lockdown: Day 44

I'm happy to share that we had a pretty decent day. Nothing spectacularly amazing took place but neither did anything catestrophic. Considering we're on day 44 of COVID19 lockdown, I'm counting that as a win. Gavin's having some issues with his temper but nothing too concerning at this point. It's notable because it's likely related to his medication changes. It's more that he's easily frustrated right now and truthfully, there are many factors at play, including lockdown. I have a very, very busy week ahead of me. Obviously I don't have any appointments outside the home but I have five Zoom meeting in the next four days and likey a few more that aren't yet finalized. It looks like I'll be on TV again this week and once I have…

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April 20, 2020
Read more about the article My kids deserve the best version of me
COVID19 / Inspirational Posts / Lockdown / My thoughts

My kids deserve the best version of me

If I rated my sleep last night on a scale of 1 to 10, it would probably be a 4. I've had better but I've also had worse. I didn't get to bed until well after midnight and that is something I'm trying very hard to correct because I need to take better care of myself. Self-care is so important and yet it's so hard to practice. I've spoken about self-care countless times over the years and I'll continue to do so moving forward. It's just that important. Right now, the COVID19 lockdown has everyone in the country on edge. The stress level across the board is palpable. That level of stress increases exponentially when you're an Autism or Special Needs parent. It increases exponentially if you have a loved…

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April 19, 2020
Read more about the article Day 42: We’re still here
COVID19 / Lockdown / My thoughts

Day 42: We’re still here

We're on day 42 of total COVID19 lockdown and I don't know, does that count as some kind of milestone? It probably should. 😂 It's been a pretty interesting day. The kids are holding it together and that's amazing. We're not without our challenges but it could absolutely be worse, at least in this exact moment. Gavin's IVIG Infusion supplies arrived this afternoon and that's always a big relief to get his new shipments. It especially stressful right now and having these show up on time means I can check them off my list of things I need to worry about. We should be having a relatively quiet weekend and I could really use a break from any unnecessary stress. I'm trying very hard to find a few moments throughout…

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April 18, 2020