Watch Kids get Hilariously Honest about What They're Thankful for
[Video available to view at the link below.] Leave it to kids to tell it like it is. As a reminder that Thanksgiving is a time to show appreciation, talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel sent his crew to The Grove in Los Angeles to ask kids what they are thankful for. While many of them included friends and family on their lists, they also said they were thankful for iPads, toys and food. One kid kept it real when she said she was grateful for "sushi and garbanzo beans." - - - - - - -
25 Truths Special Needs Parents Wish Others Understood This Thanksgiving
The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but for kids with special needs and their families, extra challenges sometimes pop up - routine disruptions, food-centric days, questions from unfamiliar relatives and more. It can be an overwhelming time, to say the least. To help spread some empathy, The Mighty asked parents of children with special needs what they wish others could understand on Thanksgiving. This is what they had to say: 1. "My son will eat a hotdog. And that's OK
Why We Sing 'Happy Birthday' with My Autistic Son Every Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and with it comes the yearly conundrum faced by this autism family and our extended family. Whom should we sing "Happy Birthday" to on Thanksgiving Day? The turkey? The pilgirms and Native Americans? We've regaled them all over the years. StartFragment I think a little explanation is in order. My autistic son, now 13, loves to sing "Happy Birthday" at every family gathering. In his worldview, it's not a party until we sing "Happy Birthday." And
11 Things Moms are Really Thankful for this Thanksgiving
Each year, millions of people gather around the table for a Thanksgiving feast and give thanks for the big things in life: a happy, healthy family, the love of their children, a new job, even a beloved pet. But what moms of youngsters are secretly giving thanks for a list of hacks that contribute to their sanity on a daily basis. So, here are a few often underappreciated things that make parenting just a little bit easier. StartFragment 1. Fruit/Vegetable Squeeze Pouches So y
Everything You Need to Know about Parenting in 12 Jimmy Fallon Quotes
Ask 10 comedians who the nicest guy in comedy is and 9 of them will say "Jimmy Fallon" (and the tenth is just [messing] iwth you). But, while his gig hosting The Tonight Show requires him to hear all sorts of celebrities-with-kids-stories, he has plenty of his own as the father of 2-year-old Winnie and 9-month-old Franny. So, when he gets the chance, he gushes to anyone who will listen. Like cab drivers. The guy likes parenting so much, he wrote a book about it. Here are a fe
Finding Peace, After Autism
For the first two months of his life, all my son did was cry. He cried in the morning, while I made breakfast for my three-year-old daughter, who covered her ears in annoyance. He cried from his perch in the tiny bouncy seat on the bathroom floor, as I stood in the shower and rested my aching head on the tile wall. He cried all night long, as I paced the room with his tiny body in my arms. Is he hungry? Is he wet? Is he in pain? I never knew. I never could tell! Nothing I tri
What Parenting Mindset Helps a Child with ADHD? 7 Tips to Secure your Relationship
Many children and teenagers are diagnosed with ADHD. Parents are familiar with the list of symptoms and often get professionals to help their child modify their disorganization, distractibility, and hyperactivity. But rarely are the parents given guidance on how to handle their own feelings about their child's problems and actions and many parent-child arguments and conflicts ensue which only worsen the child's shame and confusion. Parents care deeply about their child but do
How Kids Interpret the Things Their Parents Say
I had surgery last week, and my daughter announced to the entire soccer field: "My mom can't come to practice today because she is doing a poop test." I had to do colon prep, and wasn't physically able to make it away from the bathroom. I told her that I needed to stay close to the bathroom, and her interpretation was that I was doing a "poop test." Kids seem to have a knack for spreading family secrets and having a slightly skewed interpretation of our conversations. So if y
Morning is my ADHD Son's Nemesis
"How can we avoid this?" It finally occurred to me to ask my nine-year-old son this question after wrangling him out of bed, into his clothes, and down the stairs in time to force-feed him protein and spirit-crushing litany of things to remember to do and not forget before rushing him out the door. I know better; I've spent the last few years working on techniques to avoid mornings like this, but it's hard to be consistent when you're worn out. Morning Meltdown My son was dia