Is your family looking for ways to go green? More and more families are recognizing the importance of respecting the Earth and implementing eco-friendly practices into their family routines. Leading by example, we can teach our children to be compassionate, mindful, and responsible citizens who will grow into environmentally conscious adults. If you are looking…
As parents of a child with autism, Down syndrome, or other special needs, we aren’t “done” when our child finishes school or gets a job. In fact, we may have to work harder than ever. As our children reach adulthood, one of the biggest questions is whether they’ll be able to live independently. In some…
Adults often take their five senses for granted and don’t realize how important they are in early childhood development. When kids are little, everything is a new experience. Parents may cringe when babies put objects in their mouths, but they’re actually using their senses to learn what is soft and hard, bumpy and smooth, cold…
Do you feel like your kids are turning into couch potatoes right before your eyes? If so, you are not the only one! Parents everywhere are lamenting their kids’ lack of activity, especially as electronics become more prevalent in everyone’s daily lives. As we all know, it is very easy to sit on the couch…
Most schools do a great job of teaching algebra, the parts of a cell, and which countries fought with the Allies in World War II. But there are a lot of important skills that schools don’t cover, and many are essential to navigating the world as an adult. This leaves parents to teach ‘adulting’ to…
If your child has special needs, you know how hard it can be to get proper services and attention in a typical classroom. Your son or daughter might need more time than a frazzled teacher with 20 students can provide. Public education systems are designed to educate typical children who learn at a typical pace…
Summer can be challenging for parents, particularly if you have more than one child and they have different interests and abilities. Kids are always excited to get out of school (or wrap up the regular homeschooling year)…for about two minutes. Then they can get bored and slide into sedentary, technology-fueled routines. For our first summer…
Getting your child to sleep can be a challenge for any parent, even more so when you have a child with special needs. Your child may have a harder time settling down at night, causing them (and you) to feel cranky and irritable the next day. Although it might seem that way in the small…
Combating and coping with a child’s chronic illness is one of the most difficult jobs any parent will ever have to face. Your emotions, energy, and ability to function on a daily basis are all strained and under a constant state of duress. At the same time, you must present a stoic and upbeat outer…
Back-to-school time can be challenging for any parent, but for parents of kids with special needs, there are added things to consider making sure the first day and remaining school year go well. Aside from new clothes, school supplies, and learning a new routine, these are some tips we’ve found really helpful. Do Your Back-to-School…