2016 - Page 2 of 7 - Forever In Mom Genes

The Special Needs Parenting Sweet Spot

Oct 11 2016

It’s a struggle to stay rooted in the present. Memories of traumatic moments from the past seep in and thoughts of what “could” happen trickle through the cracks. These leaks can start to erode the “special needs parenting sweet spot.” “Be mindful!” I remind myself constantly. “All the good stuff is happening now! If you don’t open your eyes and breathe, you’ll miss it.” Sitting sandwiched between two conversations at my daughter’s adaptive soccer league last week I felt like my happy place was put in peril. As I sat on a cold metal bench watching wildly enthusiastic kids chase after soccer balls followed closely by their volunteer partners. I couldn’t help but hear the two conversations happening separately on either side of me. One pair talked about their young children recently diagnosed with complicated disorders. The fear, the confusion, the anxiety—I remember it well. The “beginning” is a unique kind of difficult. So many questions, so much anxiety—parents reaching out in desperation to anyone who might have answers, or at the very least offer some guidance. My stomach clenched as I listened to the despair in their voices. Though my compassion was overshadowed by my relief in having escaped the early[…]

Sep 29 2016

I know I’m late to the PSL party, but I’m here now. And this vegan pumpkin latte is so, so good. And healthy-ish. And easy! Preface… pumpkin pie is my second favourite food. I also enjoy a coffee (who doesn’t?) so you’d think a pumpkiny coffee would be my jam. However, I bought my first ever PSL from the coffee shop (you know which one) and I was underwhelmed. It was a hundred dollars and way too sweet. So I made my own version at home. Just sweet enough. Free. Vegan. And yum. A few of my kin have pumped me for this easy pumpkin spice latte recipe, so here it is. ? ☕️

Sep 11 2016

I believe in signs. Or at least I believe that believing makes the sad bits of life easier. One could argue that you can see anything if you’re looking for it, willing it to be there, twisting it into what you need it to be. You could argue that and you might be right. But yet here we are. Signs all around us, even when we’re not looking for them. When my mother in law passed away she left a hole in our lives. As the years went by (it’s been two and half now) we filled the hole with time and memories. Then this summer when my father in law sold his house and prepared to move out of the home he shared with his wife, where memories were made and her spirit was felt every time we walked through the door, the hole opened up a little. Sorting through her things brought up feelings. We felt her and missed her. In an effort to simplify the move my father in law purged and pared down the contents of his home. He gave us their old patio table and chairs. This is the table where we ate dinner with[…]

Aug 29 2016

There’s a rumour going around that summer is nearly over. I refuse to believe it but we did some back to school shopping just in case… FYI—This post is not sponsored. I wasn’t paid to toot anyone’s horns. I’ll tell you if any of these items were given to us. Otherwise, I dug deep into my mom jean pockets and paid for these myself or plan to. By “plan to” I don’t mean to imply that I stole anything. I haven’t shoplifted since I was six years old and I took a tiny brush from the paint store I was in with my mum. In my defence, I thought they were free. My mother made me go back to the store to return it. I’ve never gotten a five-finger discount since. A few of this items are still on my wish list. My ever growing, long, long, super list of wants. TECH BOOKS LUNCH TIME LOCKER LOOT

Aug 28 2016

A friend posted a question on Facebook asking, “Are you happy or sad about your kids going back to school?” The majority of responses were something like, “It’s been fun but I want my routine back!” My sad face emoticon response was in the minority. I am not excited about my kids heading back to school in the least. That might make me sound all, “Oooooh, I’m such a wonderful mother. I enjoy every single second with my perfect children, crafting and baking wholesome snacks, and exploring nature on our many hikes and adventures. Hashtag…. #blessed” As if. The last thing I hiked up was my skirt at the waterpark. Me lamenting my kids return to school doesn’t make me some kind of earnest earth mother who savours each second with her spawn. Of course I savour some seconds, but not all of them. Some seconds/minutes/hours are loud and clingy and annoying and totally cut into my highly coveted “me time.” Admittedly, I’ve had it easy. My husband is a teacher, off for the summer. I always have an extra set of hands. I’d be singing a vastly different tune if I was home alone with my kids for sixty-eight days straight. […]

Archive - 2016

The Special Needs Parenting Sweet Spot

Easy Pumpkin Spice Vegan Latte

Signs Our Loved Ones Are Still With Us

Back To School, What’s Cool?

Why This Mama Bird Ain’t Happy About Back-To-School