Friday, February 27, 2015

Autism made me "that mom."

    "That mom" is something all moms or dads don't want to be. That mom who's kid is screaming and won't stop. That mom who can't seem to get her child to calm down or sit still. He child is laid out on the floor like a giant X marks the spot and refusing to get up or under the table at the restaurant waiting for someone to drop their guard and move a leg creating an opening to escape. That mom who's child is noisy, fidgety, running, and just generally drawing attention in a way that makes mom look like "that mom." Refusing to hold a hand in the parking lot, kicking and screaming on the way out of a department store, and when "that mom" calls thier name or speaks to them, they just appear to ignore her. "That mom" that appears to have zero control or is failing as a parent and needs to lay down the law. No one wants to be that parent but some of us don't have a choice.

   I am and many others are "that mom" or that dad. Every time we make a public attempt to do something fun I am that parent. I have to say, autism has really taught me time and time again being that mom is not so bad. In fact it's a bit freeing to know no matter how the situation appears there is always so much more going on and just being there to begin with makes me feel complete joy. I know most of the time I have very little control because the world around him is what causes some of those that mom moments. I do refuse some things but it's never for the sake of others and always based on what he might face and have to manage himself through. I have gotten so many that mom looks over the years I am completely desensitized to it and it's a pretty awesome way to be. Don't get me wrong I don't like it when he gets a "that kid" look but as a mother I am extremely comfortable with my efforts and guidance. Yes, when he is spread out on the floor like a giant X marks the spot in Panera, like he was the other day, I am not concerned because he just ate a giant cookie and has managed to process for a full 20 minutes his environment. I am also that mom who lets him eat a giant cookie for lunch because in our case, eating something is far more important than eating only healthy food. I am sure people thought it was the giant cookie that made him restless but it was mostly the environment. A little bit cookie too but I am that mom so who cares!

   We put ourselves as parents under way to much pressure to appease the world around us and are judged all the time by our kids behavior. Everyone has an idea of what we should or should not be doing but if our kids are happy, kind, loved, safe,  and making attempts to maintain we are doing it right no matter how we are doing it. I am grateful autism has taught me to be that mom and be totally comfortable with it because I get to enjoy my son to the fullest and I know I am his hero because I am that mom too. We all are.