Overwhelmed Yes, of course. I all my two kids have ASD. Sometimes, it saddens me that thought of about their adulthoods would be like. It's hard for me on their birthdays. They don't grow as fast as their age. As matter of fact, they are no where close to their age. An 8 year old still cries like a spoiled two year old over spilled the milk, and I'm not kidding. I've learned find small things to keep my head up. Make enjoy out of small victory. I don't dream big, but be reality. I try to find things they can do, and help them grow at those areas. Maybe, someday, they can make a living out of them. I never give up hope. We never know what could they can do. The world is changing. I grew up poor (3rd world country poor, not american poor). Back then no one thought of me could had an education. Here I am, excelled in 2 languages with an good education.  Keep hope live!   lots of hugs!! I know it has to be overwhelming sumtimes.im legally blind and can't drive so it is hard 4 me 2 get my son 2 all his appts. esp round working full time and trying 2 balance pat and my other 2 sons.lol i try not 2 let that all get me down, but i do allow myself 2 vent when need b. trust me when u can rise over the obsticles {as u r doing} the reward is most worth it, we don't just parent kids {which is a very hard job of itself} we r raising special needs kids, so we have 2 b able 2 b special giving parents..and that is rising above the obsticles!!  i always remember 2 look at my child as something God created and created this way 4 a reason..perhaps it's 4 our own benefit and perhaps even the world, 2 teach us things about ourseves as parents and humane beigns..who can b cruel at times.  keep ur head up girl, u made it this far so ur r obviously doing something right!!  so sorry if sounds cheesy and over dramatic.lol..i'm a sap Does anyone have (sometimes) that hopeless feeling of how in the world can I find any peace w/ a child who is constantly having issues? I feel so completely overwhelmed..I think part of it is that Isaiah was in the hospital for a week. I think he is very mad about that. Of course he can't verbalize it at all..he's just extremely oppostional and crabby. Since we live in WI, we are in Wisconsin Dells right now.. we all needed a break. Isaiah is having a great time in the indoor water park, and so are our other kids. I feel so bad for them too because right now it seems like everything revolves around Isaiah..well I think I am rambling.. I guess my brain is on overload,lol...   HUGS! I think Overwhelmed discribes me almost daily. My son has been sensory over loaded alot recently and we are having tons of problems with him. Then I come to find out my DD is spitting in her teachers face (to me this is beyond disrespectful) but her teacher (a wonderful lady that I really like) doesnt like to be negitive so she doesnt send home notes unless I ask. Then its like 2 days later and I cant punish her at home (No Tv for 2 days or something) I talked to her about it and she has NEVER done this at home. When I asked her why she spit in her teachers face she said I didnt spit today that was other day. Sigh.... I am at a loss. I did end up seeing the teacher last night (didnt know she worked at walmart) and we talked about it all. She said that Veroniqua is doing great and she Hates to send home neg notes. I wish I could stay as positive as she does. I dont know how possible it is for you to get a sitter for just Isaiah but maybe a good Idea to get him a sitter and go do something with the other kids (even if its just a trip to the store. they will appriciate it and it will make yourself and them feel better.  Having a special needs child (let alone 2) and NT children is very stressful. I do the best I can to include everyone in. Sometimes I just play a game of sorry with the girls or we play the wii even though their brother is there up our butts we still enjoy our time. Nap time is another time I try to spend more time with the other children. Capricorn- You are my hero!! I couldnt Imagine being legally blind and trying to deal with my ASD children. Your words are inspiring and very very true HUGS! Oh, yeah, big hugs!! I've felt that way soooo many times. Things are much, much better now than they used to be with my ds, and I keep reminding myself that, and of all the progress he has made, but sometimes, it's hard to stay focused on the positive. Especially when you have other things to deal with, and with other NT kids. One thing I'm so thankful for about my kids is not only what my asd son has been able to learn from his older brother, but what Matt has learned from his younger brother! Matt, NT, is now 18, senior in HS, and college-bound (if we can find the finances--that's another story ) and does all of the things that make any parent proud of their NT kids. But the thing I'm most proud of when I look at him is the kind, caring, unselfish, compassionate heart he has! Maybe he would have been that way regardless...I doubt it. When I look around at so many other teens, completely self-absorbed, etc., I have to thank God that he has lived with someone with special needs, and has learned all the better sides of being a human being. I know it has been hard on him in many ways, and I have tried to eke out whatever special time I could with him through the years, which I'm sure helps. All kids need that. But I think most of the time, he has looked at the situation and just learned from it how difficult life can be for special needs people, and to be patient and compassionate.   I agree with everything the others have said. It does take a special parent for a special child, and you are in the ranks. And it's ok to vent, we all need to from time to time, huh?
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