I love the title of this quirky and honest book because I am also a spectrum mom.
Now try saying the title fast three times while I sit back and smile.
Okay, in all seriousness (or not)… Can I really take life so seriously? Karen Pellett, despite raising not only one kiddo on the spectrum, like me, has three. Yes, three. And she manages to find humor in her situation because, honestly, sometimes all you can do is laugh when life takes a detour around every carefully crafted plan you had for your kids, and life seems to be mocking you as your child melts down for the fifth time in ten minutes.
This is the first review of a nonfiction book I’m doing, and while I usually read fiction, because I am trying to escape from brutal reality at times, I felt drawn to this mom’s story because I understand her pain, her worries, her frustrations, her joys, her laughter. Anyone who is a parent understands these sentiments in regards to raising children–the hardest job you will ever, ever have…and no one is paying you to do it.
The author begins the book by sharing facts about her three kids (a girl born first, followed by two boys, all in three years)–their names, their quirks, their diagnoses, etc. She also explains how she had a vision of what her family would look like before having kids and how that changed quickly. It was either get on board with what she’d been dealt with or continue in denial, refusing to accept it.
I commiserated with her when she said it took years to conceive their first child, as my husband and I also went through that. Then you get the best news ever–you’re pregnant! But then after the child is born, you start to realize she or he isn’t developing typically. For us, our son had delayed speech. At 24 months, he hardly spoke, and we got him started with speech therapy. Nine months later, he was diagnosed as autistic. Karen’s daughter has ADHD and sensory processing disorder (SPD). My son also has ADHD, although it wasn’t until last year that was confirmed. Both of our oldest kids are eight.
But as Karen’s story continued and she almost died while giving birth to her last kid, I soon realized that I had to take a step back. I am not one for comparing heartaches, but I can say her situation is harder than mine. I know how it feels to watch helplessly as your child grows frustrated and has a meltdown, which results in throwing things, kicking, hitting, and ripping pictures off the walls. As a mother, nothing hurts more than seeing your kids in pain, whether that pain be physical, mental, or emotional. If we could, we would take it away.
But that is not the reality of things. I love how Karen has shared funny stories in the midst of telling her tale, which often is quite serious–like her injuring her back and needing surgery or having a car seat thrown at her head, resulting in a concussion. She is a strong woman who has been through more than most, and I admire her brutal honesty in sharing her story. Books like hers as essential for bringing awareness and understanding to autism.
While I don’t often feel judged by the public eye when my son acts out, I know there is still ignorance out there. I was at the library (alone, for once) and walking out when I passed a mother and her son, who were standing off to the side. The boy was obviously autistic, exhibiting the hand-flapping, bouncing in place, and vocalizations my own son does. He was about ten and wasn’t wearing pants or shorts. He had on a diaper, a shirt, shoes, and socks. Now, I don’t know what was going on, but even when a mom tries to be prepared with extra clothes and diapers, accidents happen. Also, autistic kids have sensitives, sometimes resisting clothing. I continued on my way out, but an older lady stopped me and asked why that boy wasn’t wearing pants. I am glad she asked me, as I was able to explain to her that the boy was autistic. I don’t know if this woman knew nothing about autism, but she was shocked and seemed to judge the mother for not having pants on the boy.
My purpose in sharing this story is to drive home the importance of autism awareness. I will promote it and push it. That said, I highly recommend you read Karen Pellett’s eye-opening book. You don’t have to relate to her or have autistic kids, but I believe her book brings servings of awareness to the table of autism.
5/5 stars
Buy Karen Pellett’s book here.
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