After writing my Flashback Friday post about planning, I started thinking about the most unpredictable parts of my life and how I manage those. Parenting has given me more practice in unexpected situations than anything else in my life. Mostly I do okay with this. I'm actually very good at analyzing situations that I expect … Continue reading Parenting is Unpredictable
children
Burned Bridges
For most of my life, my experiences were confusing and inexplicable. I could not explain, even to myself, most of what happened to me, others' reactions, or my own reactions to what was happening. In a post earlier this year I wrote: In the past I’ve run away from these events. I’d never return to … Continue reading Burned Bridges
Time, Processing, and Transitions
Unexpected events are largely unavoidable. Things happen, stuff comes up, plans change. I understand that. I also live with small unpredictable people, which adds another dimension to unexpectedness. I also recently learned of some insecurities on the part of my allistic (non-Autistic) husband that feed into many of the unexpected event-related difficulties in our marriage. More … Continue reading Time, Processing, and Transitions
Flashback Friday – 8 Year Old Hermit Plans
My highest aspiration, as an 8-year old, was to become a hermit when I grew up. Preferably on my own private island. My plans were never verbalized, that I remember. I had an image of myself living like Mary the vulture-lady in the Blossom Family books, picking up roadkill for soup and being all solitary … Continue reading Flashback Friday – 8 Year Old Hermit Plans
Barefooting
Barefooting is one of my greatest joys in life. One of my favorite things! To me, bare feet are liberated feet. I can easily walk either on my toes or toe-first, which are delightful ways for me to walk. I love to feel the dirt, carpet, grass, sand, etc underneath my feet. Such a different feeling … Continue reading Barefooting
The Joy of Autistic Body Language
While sitting at my child's class, I sometimes can see into a different room. I often will pause in my writing or reading and watch what's happening from all the way across the building. I'm there because of my child. They decided this was their "must do" activity and we did everything in our power … Continue reading The Joy of Autistic Body Language
Gentle Parenting isn’t Just for Neurotypical Children
This post is one that's been on my mind for a while now and it got long. I tweeted a short thread about this issue the other day, but I'd like to elaborate about it here also, especially since it's April and articles about "dealing with" Autistic children are being shared with renewed ferver/intensity. Gentle … Continue reading Gentle Parenting isn’t Just for Neurotypical Children
Autistic Disclosure – Parenting Edition
It is my strong belief that Autistic children need to be involved in and have a say* regarding when, how, and who gets told that they're Autistic. For more information about my parenting philosophy, which has heavily influenced my perspective on this issue, please see this post. Now, I understand that there are some situations … Continue reading Autistic Disclosure – Parenting Edition
Autistic Parenting
I've found that being Autistic has greatly influenced my parenting style and I'd like to delve a bit more into that topic. Many Autistic adults are parents. In fact, most of the Autistic adults I know, especially in person, are mothers. Interestingly enough, those whom I know have tended to gravitate towards gentle parenting styles and … Continue reading Autistic Parenting
Flashback Friday – Undergarments
TW: Puberty stuff, body image issues, misunderstanding. Underwear has always been a difficult topic for me. It's not the wearing of it that's most problematic, in my case. Rather, the things I find most difficult are other people's attitudes and expectations about underwear. Especially when they want to have a conversation with me about those … Continue reading Flashback Friday – Undergarments
Mamautistic 