parenting Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Forever In Mom Genes

Zack

Mar 08 2011

My thoughts this week have been consumed by my friend Heather and her beautiful boy Zackie. Zack is at Sick Kids Hospital battling pneumonia and Influenza. Last night the physical toll was too much and his heart stopped. Zack is now on life support. There is nothing more gut wrenching for a parent than witnessing their child in peril. Helpless and terrified can’t begin to describe what Heather and her family must be feeling right now. Tonight, my son and I put aside our regular bedtime story and together we visited Heather’s blog. We looked at pictures and watched videos of Zack and his two brothers. Zack, your mummy says you’re a fighter. Please fight. We adore your smile and your laugh. We would all love nothing more than to hear it again soon. If you’d like to leave Heather and her family a note of encouragement, you can do so at Wishes For Heather.

Jan 14 2011

If a Mom cries in Canadian Tire, does she make a sound? Monday we got a call from Sick Kids Hospital asking us to fill a last minute cancellation at the Sleep Study lab. We’d been waiting awhile, so I jumped at the chance. I picked up both kids from school and whisked them over to Canadian tire. Only a week after replacing my slashed rear tire, it seemed I now had a nail in a front tire. I didn’t want to risk driving on the highway on an impaled tire. I explained we were in a rush and the tire maven at the desk said she would see what they could do to get it fixed fast. All I had to do now was wait. Oh, and entertain my two tired children.Ya, there was that. My patient son was fine. He always is. Avery however had just pooped her Pull-Up (TMI, but it sets the mood), was hungry, thirsty and generally annoyed. The candy dispenser kept her amused for about three minutes. Apparently it’s a hoot eating Skittles off the dirty garage floor. Know what else is fun? Dumping a basket of sugar packets all over the floor and[…]

Dec 28 2010

The holidays can be a tiring, stressful, hectic time set smack in the midst of dreary winter. Unless you’re a child filled with wonder, Christmas can become more of a chore than a joy. But as parents we do our best to ensure our kids have a happy and memorable holiday, filled with the excitement we experienced in our own childhoods. Christmas morning at our house this year was filled with amazement and legitimate joy. For the first time, Avery “got” Christmas. She was in awe of each present and her brother was floored by his gifts. It was, dare I say, magical. It wasn’t until Christmas night that mummy unraveled, just a little. Fa la la la la, sob, sob, sob wah. Avery did well sitting at the kids’ table at my in-laws’ and I actually got to eat my entire turkey dinner. Pretty much. Come dessert however, she was overtired, overstimulated and overwhelmed. In lieu of dessert and conversation, Avery and I went home so the rest of the family could have a proper visit. Getting her into her car seat was a struggle and a flailing arm made contact with my eye. I *may* have growled slightly.[…]

Sep 20 2010

Parenting a child with special needs is challenging in ways I never expected. The love I feel for both my children is equal, but the fear and uncertainty around my daughter is more gut wrenching and harder to shake. I’m sure friends and family had a betting pool about the state I’d be in today. Sorry to disappoint those who put their money on Train Wreck. Turns out, this morning I was merely a titch tender. What these gamblers didn’t know was I got most of my tears out yesterday. What set me off was making lunches for the kids last night. As I quartered Avery’s grapes, it hit me that I wouldn’t be there to help her. I boo-hooed as I cut off her sandwich crusts and sobbed when I noticed tears had fallen on her bread. During this melt down my poor husband was doing the nervous eye dart, back and forth as if to say, “My wife has lost it. What do I do now? Anyone. Anyone??” Fortunately an intervention wasn’t necessary. By the time I’d moved on to filling the water bottles, I’d pulled it together. But then later, I read this message on Twitter: Cue more[…]

Apr 08 2010

Your children have the power to make you weep with joy and puff with pride. They also have the power to embarrass you beyond belief. Last week my daughter had an appointment with her cardiologist; a very nice man whose office Avery mistook for a playground. She was a holy terror opening drawers and slamming doors. The only way I could concentrate on what the doctor was saying was to hold her, bouncing her on my hip. This tactic did the trick until she decided to investigate down my top. Maintaining a serious conversation while a third party has a sticky hand wedged in your cleavage is challenging. Without warning my daughter grabbed my shirt and bra in an iron-like grasp and pulled them both swiftly to the side, giving the doctor an eyeful. I’m sure only look out of professional interest as the left side of my chest was exposed, which everyone knows is where the heart is located. I basically died. On our next outing we popped into the mall to check out the new spring fashions. While I was ogling a pretty floral skirt, Avery who was strapped into her stroller, reached out to fondle a[…]

Category - parenting

Zack

Tires and Tears

When Christmas Isn’t Exactly Merry

Nothing Says Sad Like A Soggy Sandwich—First Day Of Kindergarten

Whose Kids Are These Anyway?