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Tag Archives: Acceptance
January is IEP Month
It’s January, so that means in my house it’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) month. In other words, as any special needs parent can tell you, it’s the least fun time of the year. Some years are better than others. My … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Autism, Divorce, IEPs, Special Needs, Speech Delay, Unplanned Life
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Second Guest Post at The 40+ Woman
This summer I was asked to do a guest post over at Michelle Murphy Zive’s new website, The 40+ Woman. This is the second installment of the two-part story: An Unplanned Life, Part 2. (See my previous post for the … Continue reading
Posted in My Life, News, Publications
Tagged Acceptance, Adoption, Autism, Divorce, Speech Delay, Transitions, Unplanned Life, Writing Life
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Guest Post at The 40+ Woman
I was asked to do a guest post over at Michelle Murphy Zive’s new website, The 40+ Woman. Here’s the first installment of the two-part story: An Unplanned Life, Part 1. I’m thrilled to be helping start her new community of amazing … Continue reading
Posted in My Life, News, Publications
Tagged Acceptance, Adaptive Horseback Riding, Adoption, Autism, Divorce, Speech Delay, Transitions, Unplanned Life, Writing Life
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A Mother’s Day Tradition, Part 2
Here’s what actually happened on Mother’s Day. Katie and I slept in, and then spent a quiet morning with her watching Signing Time (sign language/speech videos that she loves) and me writing on my laptop at the kitchen table. The … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Autism, Expectations, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Single Parent, Unplanned Life
7 Comments
A Mother’s Day Tradition
Back when I was a child, Mother’s Day meant all three, and then four, of us kids “helping” Dad with breakfast. Our usual Sunday morning fare was fried or scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and Sarah Lee Honey Buns—which if … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Adoption, Autism, Divorce, Expectations, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Resentment, Single Parent, Unplanned Life
5 Comments
One Thing I Hear Constantly
One thing I hear constantly as a single parent of an autistic child: Wow, I don’t know how you manage. I don’t think I could do it. I suspect these people mean well, that they are trying to give me … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life
Tagged Abandonment, Acceptance, Adoption, Autism, Dating, Divorce, Family, Single Parent, Unplanned Life
7 Comments
First Friends
Okay, I confess. I was late getting my daughter Katie to school. It happens more times than I care to admit. She should be taking the bus, but don’t get me started on that topic. I tell myself most people … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Autism, Milestones, Speech Delay, Unplanned Life
8 Comments
My Life as a Sweater, Part 2
Several weeks ago I wrote about the bad days when I’m exhausted, depressed, and totally overwhelmed, days when my life is a sweater unraveled. It was also a post about the surprising number of people who have told me over … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Autism, Open Adoption, Unplanned Life
4 Comments
My Life as a Sweater
Last week I had one of those days where I felt like a failure. I was exhausted and depressed and totally overwhelmed. The day started out pretty well. Then around mid-morning a friend said that she didn’t know how I … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life
Tagged Abandonment, Acceptance, Adoption, Autism, Depression, Divorce, Open Adoption, Single Parent, Unplanned Life
8 Comments
Fallow Fields
I haven’t written anything for several weeks. Why? I’m not sure. Why do any of us lose momentum and stop doing something that we love, something we know in our heart of hearts is as essential as air? Perhaps one … Continue reading


