momma friends

I don't know what I'm supposed to feel.  It is tough when my friends they talk about their typical children that are the same age as my angel.  I am happy for them, their children are wonderful.  Really.  But I don't say much because they just can't relate to being an ASD parent.  Then I noticed there is this whole community out there of autism parents so I read websites and blogs from those parents and suddenly I feel so guilty for feeling like people couldn't understand my world because these other parents have way more they are dealing with.  My angel is so high functioning they would laugh.  I can't relate to them just as much (or more) as my friends with typical children can't relate to me.  So who can I talk to about what it is like.  I don't want someone to feel sorry for me, I want someone who can relate to me.  Truth is, every kid with ASD is different, heck, every kid is different.  Real friends may be those with typical children, may be those with autistic children, or they may be those in another situation.  Maybe they can't relate, but they learn how to be a friend even when they don't understand.  Those are the real friends

back to school

We made it through the first week back at school. Hallelujah!  Growing up back to school was always exciting and fun and all kinds of wonderful.  Having my little ASD angel back to school has a whole new meaning and flood of emotions.  As momma I have all kinds of anxiety about having him in the care of someone new, someone I don't know well.  I have a hard time letting our angel go to school because I cannot be there and I don't know what is happening.  The little tidbits I can get out of him after school I can only try to piece together and rarely get much of anything, and that can be scary.  It is a whole new routine and new people, which can be tough for him to adjust to. However, I know that it is what is best for him and for us.  He needs to learn and he needs to be around other people. I can't keep him in a bubble, that wouldn't be good for any of us.  He does have a good teacher and the staff at the school is excellent.  I am planning on being a parent volunteer so I can have a better idea how the day really goes for him.  I am grateful for the dedicated teachers who are so understanding and work hard to teach all of their students.  We survived the first week, hopefully we will have a great year.