(Photo by Katie Drazdauskaite on Unsplash)
Saturday, 01/15.2022
I’m spending two nights away from home, and hoo boy, it is such a maelstrom of emotions. On the one hand, I’m thrilled to have some me-time. One of the kids is coming with, so it won’t be all windswept hair and sips of chardonnay, but hey! Oregon beckons, and I get to see my dog again. Continue reading“A tale in two parts.”
“Amma, I hate it! I hate it so much!”
“I’m never going back there again. Ever!”
“Please, Amma. Can you please take me out of swimming class?” Continue reading“Just keep swimming.”
My 6-year-old came up to me yesterday, her eyes shining with some concern.
“Amma?”
“Yes, darling.”
“So Eva told me yesterday that Santa is not real. Is that true, Amma?”
(Photo by sebastiaan stam on Unsplash)
Did you know the average woman drinks 3 cups of coffee a day? 5 if her children are home on summer break.
Did you know there is nothing sweeter on God’s green earth than waking up, checking your phone in a groggy panic, and realizing that morning is still 4 hours away?
(Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash)
In new situations, I often flounder. As articulate as I like to think I am, my default mode is awkward mumbling when put in an unfamiliar or stressful scenario. I need a few minutes of back and forth before I relax enough to speak without sounding like a chump. I imagine it is the same for many adults (if not, I’m jealous, because how?)Continue reading“The chatterbox and the chump.”
Sometimes I don’t need long, flowery prose to describe how strong my boy is. This was a picture of him when he was seven. He’d had surgery on both legs, and a mere three days after, he limped along with those bulky casts. Just so he could ride on a train.
I will do my best to ensure nothing and no one ever tames his fire. This passion, this drive?
This is his autism.
First came signs, and then speech. Nirav signed his first word (milk) when he was almost two. And spoke that same word nearly 9 months later. “Mikku,” he would babble excitedly.” Mikku.”
Nirav almost always joins us on family hikes. Up and down the windy California coastline or deep inside massive redwood forests. He enjoys the exercise, the outdoors, and our company. Putting one foot in front of the other while the wind sings in his hair, echoing the cadence of his sister’s voice. There is no pressure to participate, so he ambles long, at peace with everything. Even if he doesn’t say a word, we know he’s watching, listening, and living every part. Continue reading“30 laps- #thisisAutism”
(Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash) Now that all the serious discussion is out of the way, I’ll share some ridiculous things the kids have told me during our conversations or in inconvenient situations. Since my son is the brooding, silent type, most of these faux pas feature …
The second part of this installment deals with topics traditionally considered “not for kids.”
So you’ve put in the hard work and raised your children to know human bodies — anatomy, bodily functions, and menstruation. They have asked you questions, and you’ve done your best to answer them. So what’s next?Continue reading“Sex, death and big little things – part 2.”
