Jennifer has been practicing the "sh" sound in therapy. Mrs. Kim pulled Jennifer's love for Nicholas into her lesson by telling Jennifer that "sh" is the sound we use to tell people the baby is sleeping.
Last night, as I was singing "Old MacDonald" to Nicholas, Jennifer broke out into full on speech therapy time. She made us stop the song and watch her as she explained to us how to make the "quiet, baby sound." It was adorable!
I love that Kim pulled Jennifer's everyday life into her lesson. It was obviously the perfect application, because Jennifer is now serious about that sound. She even stopped singing in the car today to "teach" her brothers and me. She doesn't stop singing for just anything.
Do you use everyday associations to teach your child? Keep in mind that even a child as young as Nicholas needs to be spoken to. Nick talks to him about the characters on his diapers and makes up silly songs to go along with any activity they do together. Jonathan also sings silly songs to him.
Music is great for learning! Your child doesn't care if you hit the right notes. They just love that interaction. Through that interaction, they will begin to pick up the words you sing and make associations.
We sing a lot at our house! I sing to Jennifer during brushing her teeth, combing her hair, bath time and more. She now even sings to herself in the shower - very loudly!
We've been able to use her love for singing to help her with articulation and reading. She has a karaoke machine. She loves to read and uses her reading skills to teach herself the words to songs. She also listens to how the singer pronounces words and uses that to correct her speech.
So, the next time you're struggling with teaching knew language skills to your little one, just pretend you're in High School Musical. They'll love and you'll love their reaction.
Happy singing!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Say, "CHEESE!"
Two out of three kids are rocking new smiles today.
This afternoon, we discovered Nicholas's first tooth had broken through his gums. At a little over 6 months, this is earlier than I expected. Jonathan and Jennifer were both about 11 months before we saw their first little, white bud begin to sprout.
Later, I received a text from Jennifer's dad that she lost a tooth. It's about time! I've been trying to pull that thing for a month. There are just some things she only wants her daddy to do.
This afternoon, we discovered Nicholas's first tooth had broken through his gums. At a little over 6 months, this is earlier than I expected. Jonathan and Jennifer were both about 11 months before we saw their first little, white bud begin to sprout.
Later, I received a text from Jennifer's dad that she lost a tooth. It's about time! I've been trying to pull that thing for a month. There are just some things she only wants her daddy to do.
No Fear
Yesterday, one of my cousins and closest friends, threw a question at me that really got me thinking. She said, "As
parents we fear what others will think or how they will treat our child
but should we let that stop us from letting our child live to the
fullest?" My answer is, "NO! We should not let fear ever control our lives." I let it control my life every single day, though. A lot of that fear comes for past hurt. Hurt from family and those I considered friends. Every decision I make for my children is based on my fear of having to explain my decision and if others will understand the choices I make.
I have been asked why I want Jennifer to try things that "she can't handle." How do you know Jennifer can't handle it? Did you give her the chance to try? Are you afraid that she won't handle it the way other kids do or that you may have to work a little harder teaching her?
I have been told that Jennifer "won't listen." Did you really try to understand why she wouldn't do what you asked? Did you remember that this is the very first time she's been with you without her parents? Did you, as the adult, establish that you were the authority, without being threatening?
Nick and I have heard that we "don't come around anymore." Would you bring your children around those that treat them as if they aren't important? Would you want your children to be put in situations where expectations for others were less than those for them?
I am not going to have anyone in my family mistreated. The fact that others choose to think that we can just have ourselves conform to their expectations and schedules is not realistic. Yes, most of our family can go with the flow, but Jennifer cannot. She needs preparation and structure. If she's put into unfamiliar situations or unexpectedly taken off schedule, her reaction is not always going to be "typical." She may do fine some days. Yet, other days, she may go pure crazy. It's not fun for us to deal with, but we accept her where she is. We acknowledge that she's different and take time to explain things to her.
I cannot and will not any longer allow my family to walk into situations that are going to be physically, mentally and emotionally dangerous. I have made choices, in the past, to protect others feelings over protecting my family's well being. I know that sounds like I've put us in dangerous circumstances, but I haven't.
I have, however, chosen to take Jennifer into overstimulating, stressful situations when I should have just said no. I have chosen to spare others feeling and not put myself through the torture of having to hear how our family never shows up. I have chosen to neglect alone time with my oldest son, Jonathan, because I don't trust ANYONE to take care of his sister. I have lived in fear that she won't be watched closely enough, that her caregiver may not understand what she's said or why she's chosen to "overreact" to something we would consider minute. I have lived afraid for over 9 years!
With the support of my wonderful husband, oldest son, parents and other close family and friends, I am no longer choosing to worry about other people. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I'm tired. Fear is exhausting! Fear is controlling! Fear is dangerous!
So, moving forward, if I have to tell someone "no", I am not going to feel responsible for their feelings or their reactions. I cannot afford to allow my fears to dictate my decisions. I can and will do what's best for my entire family at all times.
I have been asked why I want Jennifer to try things that "she can't handle." How do you know Jennifer can't handle it? Did you give her the chance to try? Are you afraid that she won't handle it the way other kids do or that you may have to work a little harder teaching her?
I have been told that Jennifer "won't listen." Did you really try to understand why she wouldn't do what you asked? Did you remember that this is the very first time she's been with you without her parents? Did you, as the adult, establish that you were the authority, without being threatening?
Nick and I have heard that we "don't come around anymore." Would you bring your children around those that treat them as if they aren't important? Would you want your children to be put in situations where expectations for others were less than those for them?
I am not going to have anyone in my family mistreated. The fact that others choose to think that we can just have ourselves conform to their expectations and schedules is not realistic. Yes, most of our family can go with the flow, but Jennifer cannot. She needs preparation and structure. If she's put into unfamiliar situations or unexpectedly taken off schedule, her reaction is not always going to be "typical." She may do fine some days. Yet, other days, she may go pure crazy. It's not fun for us to deal with, but we accept her where she is. We acknowledge that she's different and take time to explain things to her.
I cannot and will not any longer allow my family to walk into situations that are going to be physically, mentally and emotionally dangerous. I have made choices, in the past, to protect others feelings over protecting my family's well being. I know that sounds like I've put us in dangerous circumstances, but I haven't.
I have, however, chosen to take Jennifer into overstimulating, stressful situations when I should have just said no. I have chosen to spare others feeling and not put myself through the torture of having to hear how our family never shows up. I have chosen to neglect alone time with my oldest son, Jonathan, because I don't trust ANYONE to take care of his sister. I have lived in fear that she won't be watched closely enough, that her caregiver may not understand what she's said or why she's chosen to "overreact" to something we would consider minute. I have lived afraid for over 9 years!
With the support of my wonderful husband, oldest son, parents and other close family and friends, I am no longer choosing to worry about other people. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I'm tired. Fear is exhausting! Fear is controlling! Fear is dangerous!
So, moving forward, if I have to tell someone "no", I am not going to feel responsible for their feelings or their reactions. I cannot afford to allow my fears to dictate my decisions. I can and will do what's best for my entire family at all times.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
It's Been a While!
It's been more than a year since my last post. The posts stopped for many reasons.
At first, I got caught up in my many other commitments. Later, I began to shy away from my good intentions due to fear of how others may not accept our family's every day realities. That faded into the excitement of expecting my third child. Then, came a newborn. Now, I have NO excuses.
I'm reminding myself everyday that God gave me each of my children for a very special reason. I've always told myself that I would take what Satan intended for evil and make it used to glorify God. Although, I haven't been living my life that way. Now is my chance to change that!
Yes, this blog is titled to lead people here that are looking for hope when told they are going to give or have given birth to a child with special needs. That doesn't mean that my daughter with special needs is my only focus. But I cannot deny that my Jennifer throws a very special set of dynamics into our home.
In my next post, you'll find some very raw answers on what led me to shy away from my posts and how, through some unexpected miracles, God is showing me that my fear is not helping my family.
Stay tuned!
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