February Roundup: A Blissfully Short Month
The connection happening in the comments is everything.
Here in NYC, Mayor Mamdani just announced a true, old-fashioned snow day with no remote school! Ocean had a week off already, so what’s one more day as we wait out the blizzard?
What made me wiggle with joy this month: the sunflowers John gave me for Valentine’s Day, and the connection happening in the comments.
Meet us there!
“I love this sentence: ‘You are not the discipline arm of the school’ …it's so harmful to kids' relationships with their parents, in addition to being counterproductive for relationship building between teacher and student.”
“I am definitely seeing my 6yo… behave in a much more aggressive and anxious way at school …we live in south Minneapolis and the tension remains very high in and around the school. It is a lot for all of us to hold here.”
“…I think the best way you and other readers can help us in Minneapolis is to donate and share our local news.”
“I wish I could share this wisdom with all of the families I’ve worked with! I’ve seen firsthand the overwhelming experience of setting goals for neurodivergent kids—the anxiety pressuring parents to push their kids to “succeed” as well as the guilt in presenting challenging and difficult tasks to children who may lack the ability to express their frustration in a clear and productive way. This post is so informative and welcoming for struggling parents but is also an eye-opener for those of us who work within ‘the system.’”
“That moment about ‘permanent records’ resonated so much. I remember when our special education director asked if I really wanted my son, who has a unilateral hearing impairment, to attend a deaf and hard of hearing program that used sign language as part of total communication. For us it was a no brainer… Your story captures something I see so often across diagnoses and ages: support is too easily framed as something to avoid or be embarrassed by, when in reality it is access, instruction, and opportunity.”
What I Published for You Last Month
I had a live interview with Talia Zamora. Did you catch it? If so, what stood out?
If not, no worries. I’ll post it in March and give a little behind the scenes of how my neurodivergent parent-entrepreneur life works.
Next week, look out for a new post inspired by a question I’m often asked by parents: Should I Seek or Avoid An Autism Diagnosis for My “High Functioning” Child?
If you’ve been wondering whether to pursue diagnosis for your kid, learn my thoughts on stigma, masking, support, and more.
Even if we try to protect them by not discussing current events, our kids may pick up on the stress around them more than most. Please keep that in mind during these disturbing times, and cut them (and yourself) some extra slack.
Is there snow where you are?
I cherish your questions, so please keep asking. And keep sharing!
A kinder future for our kids begins with kindness toward ourselves.