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How a Hug Changed My Son’s Life Forever
Small acts can have a big impact. We’ve all heard this in inspirational speeches. We’ve seen memes scroll by in our newsfeed. But I’ve personally witnessed the impact and ripple effect caused by a simple act by my son’s teachers almost 20 years ago. It all started with a hug. Like so many on the autism spectrum, my son’s first experiences at school were difficult. The kids at school either ignored him or bullied him. The teachers at this first school just didn’t work well with students who learned differently. Though he wasn’t diagnosed at the time, we could see that he was struggling to keep up with his peers,…
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Inspirational Mom:: Tara Lazar, Kidlit Author Powerhouse
Looking for an inspirational mom with a “you can’t stop me” attitude? Meet Tara Lazar (rhymes with bazaar), a creative mother of two who writes quirky, humorous children’s books−picture books and middle school novels−that kids (and adults) love. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010 and has lost feeling in her feet and legs. She’s a woman who is overcoming her chronic illness to achieve her goals and dreams. Tara is a kidlit author powerhouse who speaks at conferences and events, and teaches workshops to help other children’s authors achieve their dreams of getting published. Her new children’s book “Normal Norman” is delightful tale with an important message all children need to…
- Awareness, Creativity, Culture, Laugh, Love, Parenting, Play, Reflections, Relationships, Slideshow, Spotlight
In Awe of Molly: Parenting a Creative Child
I am in sheer and utter awe of my daughter, Molly. How did one shy, sweet girl turn into such a creative force and passionate young woman? A woman I admire because she’s living “all-in” with unstoppable determination and moxie. And she’s doing it through the quiet power of an introvert. I guess it should come as no surprise because growing up she always remained true to who she was, even when there was pressure from other girls to conform…even when she was so lonely from being left out or unheard. From a very young age, Molly has had a depth of character beyond her years. She has the ability…
- Awareness, Books, Culture, Life Management, Lifestyle, Love, Parenting, Relationships, Slideshow, Special Needs Parenting, Spotlight, Wellness
Natasha Daniels, Parenting Help for Your Anxious Toddler
Natasha Daniels was frustrated that parenting books about children were missing critical information and support for those who have anxiety. A child therapist for over 15 years and a mother of children who struggle with anxiety, she became a passionate advocate determined to fill in the missing gap. “Anxiety looks so different in young children – it is often misdiagnosed or missed completely. Writing How to Parent Your Anxious Toddler has fueled my passion to provide ongoing support and guidance for parents of anxious kids of all ages.” In addition to authoring a book, she has a wonderful resource website called AnxiousToddlers.com dedicated to parenting and anxiety issues. Along with being a Huffington Post blogger, her work has been…
- Awareness, Culture, Inspirational Moms, Love, Parenting, Relationships, Slideshow, Special Needs Parenting, Wellness
Inspirational Mom: Holly Robinson Peete, Hollywood’s Autism Advocate
I’m not someone who’s starstruck. Sure I appreciate talent and I am an avid movie goer. Sure, I’d have a hard time giving up my favorite television shows or Netflix account, but I don’t look to movie and television stars as my heroes or role models. That is until I met Holly Robinson Peete. She’s an actress, author, talk show host, philanthropist, and—where I find inspiration the most—mom to four children, one with autism. In 1997, Holly and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation, to help with Parkinson’s disease. (Her father, the original “Gordon,” on Sesame Street, had Parkinson’s.) Then in 2005, inspired by their…
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One Mom’s One-Story-At-A-Time Mission
I’m on a mission to profoundly change the way the world views autism…one story at a time. ~ Jodi Murphy My adult son is on the autism spectrum and from the outside he looked just like any other little boy. But his brain is wired differently. He is autistic. The kids at school thought he was weird, so they teased and taunted him, and never invited him over to play. It’s his story, but sadly it’s a universal experience when you are autistic. And when 1 in 68 children are on the autism spectrum and 70% of them say that they are isolated and bullied in school,…
