What is your biggest challenge?
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What is your biggest challenge?
| Tue, 05-09-2006 - 1:34pm |
My biggest challenge is being a single parent. It makes taking care of my boys a challenge because of the younger one being as he is.
The fact the father of my sons denies there is anything wrong with Devon doesn't help matters, either.
~ Darla

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Wendy
dd 9 ds 4
My biggest challenge right now is dealing with my 6-yo son's distress related to his Dad's getting engaged.
My ds has gotten more clingy and physically agressive. Since I am a single mom and have my ds most of the time when I am not working, I get pretty exhausted dealing with the melt-downs and the almost constant insistence to 'play with me Mom, all the time!' Even when I am playing with ds, he will still sometimes hit me, run into me, scratch me or pinch me. I really think it is his way of releasing the stress and anxiety he feels. He does not act out at school or daycare, so I think he is 'saving it up' for me.
The ex isn't much help because ds rarely does meltdowns with him and he is, of course, all wrapped up in his new romance. My own family isn't much help either - most of them think I am a bad Mom and if I'd 'just discipline' my ds better, then the problem would go away. I am in the process of pursuing a dx for my ds - and I have been gathering up all the notes and paperwork from the past four years and filling out paperwork.....by myself. I asked xh if he wanted copies of the paperwork and he said he didn't think he needed it since I was taking care of it. Ugh.
I have been lurking here for awhile and finding other's posts so very helpful. I do not know if my ds has PPD, Asperger's, or HFA....but I am sure he is somewhere on the spectrum. I can relate so much to what other's write about here!
I am so glad this board is here!!!
My biggest challenge right now is me going through a period of depression and trying to remain upbeat for Alex. Since we moved last summer, I've been very unhappy living where we are, and I am especially not happy with the school system here. We moved to a different area where we wouldn't be so strapped financially (it hasn't helped; we're still struggling) as far as a lower mortgage, cost of living, etc. Dh has his same job (longer commute), but he misses where we used to live as well. I just started working PT again at a preschool and I absolutely hate it. I loved the job where I was before we moved and I truly miss it. I miss the school where Alex used to attend, particularly in the quality of the teachers and the services he received.
I do, however, admire you moms who are single parents. Although at times I feel frustrated because I'm the one who takes care of almost everything related to Alex (attending IEP meetings, keeping in touch with teachers regarding his behavior, planning his activities outside of school, etc.), I'm thankful that he's there some of the time! Kudos to you single moms!
(Thanks for listening),
Laurie
Laurie
Guilt.
Guilt that I work.
Guilt when I don't.
Guilt when I look at my boy and think I may have done something to prevent his Autism. Guilt that I am not a regular 'mommy" who takes them to the school bus and volunters at PTA lunches and and is on first-name terms with the Principal.
Guilt when I forget that it's "healthy snack day", 'school spirit day" or some other nonsense.
Can you tell I was raised by nuns?
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
I would have to say finding balance is my biggest challenge.
This whole ASD thing with ds is overwhelming, and it can get very consuming time-wise.
Mornings, hands down! Mornings are so rough for me as my kids seem to bicker all the time. My son moves so slow and I have to tell him eight million times to get dressed. He gets side tracked so easily. Everything has to be done in sequence- Eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth.....Nothing can change. Heaven forbid we are running late- my son does not know the definition of HURRY! I can never spring on home in the morning that he is buying lunch at school. I have to "clear" this with him the night before or there is hell to pay in the morning. Every morning he has to pick out something (toy) to take in the car to play with on the way to school. It takes sooooooooo long for him to decide.
I do mornings and my dh does afternoons. I would love to switch with him!
PS- My 12 year old is getting hormonal so that only makes alll of this worse.
Hmmm, biggest challenge. This is a tough one as it frequently changes.
I think right now my biggest challenge is keeping Mike connected with the world. I am glad he did with his aide that one day, just wish I had it more lately too. Even his therapist says that the world is just getting more and more confusing for him so it is easier to check out. Which he is doing more and more. It is a virtual workout trying to break through the wall and get him to check back in. But it is something I have to constantly do if I want him to progress. He can't retreat into his own world, not all the time anyway.
He did play with his siblings today and yesterday. And it seemed like actual play not just the "I boss you around, you be my toys" play.
Renee
I think my biggest challenge is keeping my own anxiety, stress, and worry under control so that I can help DD in a calm, productive, and supportive way. I worry about her so much, and sometimes that worry comes across as irritability or anger -- which of course only makes things worse, since she picks up on my moods instantly. I do a really good job of taking care of myself in terms of exercising, eating well, taking time for myself, etc. -- but I do have a really difficult time keeping my stress levels under control. I think I need to take a meditation class or something...
Jennifer
I would have to say that patience is my biggest challenge......
- Keeping calm and cool when son is flipping out over something that can not be control
- Being patient with his teacher, principal, school psychologist....all of whom want son on some type of meds (any meds) to make him more manageable - NOTE: they have never actually mention meds directly, they do it indirectly..."he has untreated ADD" or "if we could get something to manage his anxiety" or "he needs intensive therapy"
- patience to endure his endless one-sided conversations about trains
I could go on.....
Christie
There are quite a few specific things I could mention, but the one "big challenge" that affects everything else is my ability...of lack thereof...to get enough sleep. I do best with about 8.5 hours a night, but that ain't happening.
I need to go pick up David from school in a few minutes, and I'm actually worried about driving, I'm so sleepy. No matter when we start the bedtime routine, the boys are rarely asleep until around 10. Then there are dishes, etc. DH and I NEED time to just veg. Half the time it's just us typing on our individual laptops in the same room. DH takes the morning shower, so I get evenings. Then I have to read a bit. (I sound like David! I HAVE to read just ONE MORE 40-page chapter, even though it's midnight! LOL!)
It's a trade-off. If I want enough sleep, I need to cut out every bit of ME time. Heck, if I wanted to exercise, I'd have to cut into my sleep even more.
Evelyn
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