Washingtonians

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
OK nobody get all bent here. But the rally monkey is my attempt to get the WA thread BACK to the fun friendly way it was not long ago. I think when we make that happen many folks will see what an awesome group of elderly old codgers we are and hopefully people will also feel more comfortable to join into the group as it is.

 

[FlyRobinFly]

Any family who has children with Autism gets treated a little differently - by neighbors, by people at church, by kids at school, by strangers in the store (now that one gets me!), by everyone. People don't know how to take their odd behaviors. Adults will get snippy, be rude and tell you to "get your child under control". I usually had no problems putting those adults in their place rather quickly. It's the kids that had me in tears late in the evening. Having a 3, 4 or 5-year old kid walk up to you and say "Why does he sound like a puppy?" or "How come he talks funny?" or "What's wrong with him?" will tear your heart apart into shreds. Thankfully, both my boys can speak eloquently now and both have become (relatively) pretty good at disguising their stims. They have quirky senses of humor, but they can blend in. The hardest years were between the ages of 2 and 7 for both my boys. Now they're old enough to know they have Autism. They know they have to work harder to fit in than most people. They know that their stims can be upsetting or distracting to others and that they really have to try hard not to do them when they are around other people. They know they are loved and adored by family, and if they completely fall apart at home after having worked so hard to keep it together out in the public, it's quite alright. We are their soft place to fall.

I'm sorry Renee that you have had to deal with judgmental people...your sons are very lucky to have you as a mother and a supportive family. I don't know that the other kids are necessarily trying to be mean, they may just be curious, and it might be an opportunity to educate them so they grow up to be more tolerant and understanding. (I realize it's stressful for you and I'm not the one whose kids are in the situation, so you can tell me to go take a running jump) Every summer I work as a camp counselor for a week and we usually have a couple campers who are on the autism spectrum. We'd have other kids want to know why certain others always had outbursts, or what was wrong with them, etc. They were genuinely curious and if we explained what was going on, they were surprisingly patient and understanding, even protective, of their autistic peers.

 

[cheryl98117]

Hey Cheryl!! The baby is adorable! CL did a very good job on keeping me "baby updated"!! Get some rest girlfriend!

The baby is napping, and Little miss Chloe is playing in her room with her new barbi doll house! Good lord how quikly these two are growing! Baby Emily is already sitting up on her own, chases me around in her walker, and is very vocal. But also so much harder than Chloe was at the same age. Very needy for momma. once I figure out whats wrong with my camera to computer conection I will get recent photos put up for you all to see! Gotta love all the BYC babies.

Speeking of... How are the other BYC babes doing? I know we have at least two others on here besides Emily.

 

[SadieSue]

Quote:
Yes you do! Which Silkie cockerel would you like? You get your choice of colors!

 

[Chickielady]

That is complete BS.

Mike is the only one here who is NEVER condesending [sic].

X2...and she has already apologized...but Mikey is a sweet heart !!!!!!!!!

 

[itsren]

But I have lots of friends on here who I love dearly, and have missed quite a bit sence April when I took my break.

Are you the one who had a baby about the time I joined? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Well, anyway - nice to *meet* you! I hope you come back and join in on the forum again.

 

[SadieSue]

A meet-up sounds super fun! I'd be down.

Sounds like you North End meet up folks need to add UrbanEnthusiast to your list!

 

[itsren]

Are you the one who had a baby about the time I joined? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Well, anyway - nice to *meet* you! I hope you come back and join in on the forum again.

Aha - now I'm seeing a post about you and a baby. So you must have been. Congratulations BTW!

 

[itsren]

Just thought I'd give a proper introduction since I've started participating so much here lately.

Great photos! Sorry, I don't have a clue what logging town that was, either. If I haven't given you a formal welcome yet...

.

 

[itsren]

Come to find out it was PRINCESS KATE!!!! I was in the hot tub yesterday mng, she came around with her babies and started jumping at the tomatoes!!! Silly bird!!

Pardon me while I