Drink coffee or tea, read a book, or catch up on a show.

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I am a mom of 3 strong headed children. My two oldest are moving towards the end of their school years, and I have a son who's 4. I have a cat and a bunny with strong opinions living in my house. I'll of course include the husband. I have been following Connecting for Kids for a while. The strong suggestion to reach out to Help Me Grow when my son was 18 months was a great suggestion. He's now 4 and a social and emotional struggle is going on, and I find myself turning to Connecting for Kids, which is an amazing group of individuals who help struggling parents like myself find a light in the darkness. I like to go for nature walks, DIY, I also draw and make pictures with watercolors, I help the homeless and families needing help, I work from home as a garage door sales person through my husband's company, and I like to sip tea and catch up on me time in the early morning hours.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Answers and helpful information. Sometimes it brought friendship and acknowledgement for my neurotypical child, and sometimes it brought light for my neurodivergent child.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

Music Therapy & More, reaching out to receive NEON funding which was helpful when my now 4 year old was smaller. Reaching out to Help Me Grow, which is now Bright Beginnings, and horse therapy.

The area where I have grown the most...

Is my patience and learning different ways to teach my children to cope. I'm also trying to break the Domino effect. I also use more redirection and am learning to love more. My mom wasn't that lovey and so I am trying to be more caring and loving towards my children and to sympathize with them on things that matter to them.

I get embarrassed when...

My four year old screams bloody murder when I tell him it's time to go inside even with verbal warnings. He screams like he's tied to a stretching board, or that he's been captured by pirates and told him he has to hand over all his cars before he walks the plank. Then people look at me as though I am the worst parent in the world, so I then ask if they are enjoying the show and they look away. It's hard.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper, you will cry so bring the tissues!

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

It's a learning one. Some days it's hard and other days it's soft.