I'm not fighting against YOU, I'm fighting FOR my son.

I'm not fighting against YOU, I'm fighting FOR my son. That seems to be really hard for most to understand. I learned a long time ago that people would call me a wonderful mom, a great advocate for my child, a mom with a ton of knowledge and a lot of resources...until I stepped on their toes in the process of being all those things. Then none of that seems to matter anymore.

I also learned a long time ago that I was going to lose friends while advocating for my child and recently learned that I'd also lose family over it. It doesn't matter. God gave me one child and God gave that child one mother. If I mess this up, nothing else matters. So, please understand that if I hurt your feelings or if it seems I'm going up against you, that is really not the case. I am fighting FOR my child's rights and his needs. That is it. There will be other teachers, other therapists, other friends, other neighbors but there will only be one Dallas and since he cannot fight for himself, that leaves me.

Haircuts

This morning I took Dallas for a haircut. I remember the days when just scheduling a haircut would cause major anxiety for both Dallas and myself. I had to talk him through the whole thing, hold his hand, blow bubbles, distract, comfort, distract, comfort...oh and don't forget to breathe! It was exhausting. A few years ago, haircuts started to become easier but it's been a process. He still has a little anxiety, still does that sing-song whining throughout the haircut and I still hold my breath until it's over, knowing that he could go into a full meltdown mode at anytime. Until today.

This morning we went for a haircut. Dallas showed absolutely zero anxiety about the process. He went in, sat in the chair, told his hairdresser (who was not his usual stylist, by the way) how he wanted his hair to look (like a Jonas brother...lol) and then proceeded to carry on a conversation with her while I sat in another chair on the other side of him getting my own haircut. Oh.My.Gosh. Did this really happen? Eight hours later, I'm still in shock and disbelief. He went in there like it is something he does every day of his life. Something that used to be so hard is now easy. I just want to take the day to enjoy this little victory!

There are so many challenges and every gain he makes brings on more challenges that we never even thought about before...but just for today, I'm not going to think about those challenges. I'm going to celebrate another milestone that we were never guaranteed to reach!