We talk About Autism.

Juggling five family member’s schedules, needs, wants, emotions, food preferences, clothing preferences, therapy schedules, doctor visits, illnesses… it’s too much.

I struggle to separate behaviors from my child when I am triggered. The more often and more heavily I am triggered, or stuck in a funk, the faster I am to lose perspective.

My goal is to reset with Every day. Every hour. Every transition. Every ten minutes!

When I am able to reset, to breathe and think, I am most successful in my parenting and true for my babies. BREATHE in, 2, 3. BREATHE OUT, 2, 3.

Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls School Districts both have spring break this week. This means both Maeve and Jeanne are off schedule, off routine, and a bit off their game. Axel is too, because either he sees Jeanne staying home and is upset, or we pull him out for an adventure and tucker him out.

My personal struggle is to focus on my child, not the behavior when the children are whirling around me, upset about different things, yelling all at once, hitting, falling, throwing, barking (our dog), running…

Transitions are our struggle. Getting dressed and out the door for school or an absolute adventure are both struggles. Either Jeanne is hesitant or she is wild with excitement. Maeve also struggles the same way, especially if even one sibling is not leaving at the same time. The volume increases.

Dr. Kristin Wegner just posted “How to handle aggressive behavior” through the Brody the Lion Instagram page that really speaks to my personal issue of finding my calm, separating the behavior from my kiddo.

When I am able to reset, breathe, think, I am most successful and true for my babies. BREATHE in, 2, 3. BREATHE OUT, 2, 3.

Granger is also my rock. Especially this wild week! We help each other stay “on.” We encourage each other. We give each other breaks when we need it. Granger tells me to nap when he sees my illness tired, red cheeks show up. We could not do it alone.

I cannot imagine going back to how life was before we met Dr. Kristin and Mrs. Roo.

So I apologize when I slip up. Some times it is right away, “Whoa, I am sorry, I yelled and that is not okay. Mom needs a time out, some calm down time.” Some times I apologize after a few minutes or later in the day. I just keep working on myself, and I let the little battles wait as best as I can.