Third Grade Field Trip

My almost 12 year old son was mentioning to me on a walk that he is not at the "top" of his world but he also is not at the "bottom". Hard to hear those words from him. I feel for you Ali. This parenting stuff is tough and not for the tender hearted sometimes.

I'm in the same third grade boat with a special needs kid. Big hug. You're right that if he's happy, that's what matters.

God put Simon in your family for a reason Ali. You are raising him as He would, and letting others like myself see and learn from you. Thanks to you, Chris, Anna, and Simon for allowing us to be a part of your family. Hugs and prayers to you all. :-)

Your post reads as though your day was bittersweet...filled with all kinds of emotions...ones that tug and pull and snap on the heartstrings of a momma protecting her cub and teaching it to make it's own way in the world.
You are doing a great job Ali! Prayers and blessings to you and your family!
Have a j.o.y.-ful day!
Suz

When I first read this I thought it said 2 hour BIKE ride. Wow that would have been torture. I've learned that most of the time its harder on us moms than the kids. :)

Hugs and love to you and Simon :)

Your post really spoke to me. My son has Autism (Asperger's) and I just came from a field trip with him. As you said he had fun and I loved watching him, but seeing some of the interactions with peers broke my heart. Sometimes I forget that Autism is a part of our life, but then sometimes it's so obvious my heart breaks for him. Big ((hugs)0 to you both! tfs

Oh Ali! I feel your pain. It is so hard to witness your children in pain or other kids just being plain mean. My son is 12 and wants to quit school. Most kids play football in our community - - he loves soccer. He gets called a "grass fairy". He is kind and sweet and says hi to kids in the hall and they tell him to shut up!
It is heartbreaking! Our best times are when we spend time as a family. In the end.....family will be the thing that matters most!

Ali - as always, thank you for sharing - for telling your stories even when all the words aren't there. Your words and pictures are inspiring even when minimal.

I feel that you have said it all without having to say it. This post really touched me and I too can relate so well.

I think the social challenges are some of the hardest things we have to deal with as parents. It's so hard to see your child struggle during the challenges and harder yet to figure out what action to take, if any. Last year, in my daughter's second grade class, a group of kids began some pretty intense teasing and excluding of an autistic classmate. That group behavior is so shocking, and it can really get you down just realizing that it's there among 8 yo's. Luckily our teacher was awesome and handled the situation by talking to the class as a whole (w/o the boy present) about their behaviors and their effects. They owned up to the behaviors and apologized to the boy. But it's awful to imagine how these experiences hurt our children. Hugs to you both.

2 hour bus ride each way? MAN! That's taking one for the team!! :) (Love the cool bandana!)

your words are so touching and authentic-- truly the heart of a mother who fiercely loves her son. sending love and hugs. xo

My 8 yr old son's speech therapist has started a social group therapy group for 3 of her patients that have Aspergers and PDD-NOS. It has been wonderful, the boys have really bonded and started to want to do things together outside of therapy. They learn all about social skills and it has really helped our son. He hates when he has to miss it. They all accepted each others quirks and I feel like they can be themselves at speech group. It's one of the best things we have done!

So touching. I love how honest it feels and that it is OK to admit that it is not all roses and pretty paper. So true for all of us and so hard as parents, but so glad you are with him in it.

I agree. Bottom line is that all that really matters is that Simon is happy. You're such a great mom!

I hear ya. I often think of my son's social delay as a mixed blessing. He has no idea where he stands socially and is a happy little guy for it. But if he DID know...it might help him grow socially. It's a HARD one though...being a mama.

Simon is so blessed to have you, a mom who is able to be by his side on these days that are out of his regular routine. Prayers for you today....

"He’s getting older and the kids are getting more socially sophisticated and that gap is getting bigger."

This line just jumped out at me. I have two siblings (twins) with autism and intellectual disabilities. I remember when the boys were children their quirks were perceived as "cute". But as they became older, "cute" became "weird". Their quirks became a reason for people to tease them, or avoid them. It was, and still is, hard to watch my brothers get older and see that social gap widen into a cavern. My brothers are now in their 20s, and yet still have the social skills of young teenagers at best. I see kids in their peer group heading to university, travelling the world, falling in love and getting married, and my brothers both still live at home and work in a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities. They don't have the social sophistication to negotiate a long term relationship with another person. If I dwell on that gap too much, it makes me cry. So I focus on their strengths, their passions and the things they excel in (like taking old electrical appliances and somehow getting them to work again!) They are both two remarkable young men, despite their disabilities.
The older Simon gets, the more that social gap will widen, and it will hurt your heart to see it. But your sweet boy has so many good things going for him, including a family who loves and celebrates him. Keep focusing on his unique strengths, and he'll find his sweet spot in the world.

hugs.

heartache. as a mother of two under 3 years, i know i will come across times like this in the near future. your post is reminder about what our children really need .. us.