Special Mom’s blog

When my special son was attending public school, he was in an autism classroom. I would be on the call all the time. Yes, I would be called to say he is coughing, he is having a running nose, and he seems to have a temperature around 100 and that he needs to be picked up from school.

Little did I know that these were just reasons for me to pick him up from school, since he was a tough kid. I did not know until my younger typical kid started going to preschool. I could send him to school with a full-blown cough and runny nose; I would not get a call. It took me a while to realize that the teachers just gave excuses. I would not blame them too. He was/is still a tough kid to handle, and if they were short staffed, they had no other way to handle those issues. So when we moved him to a private school with behavior therapists, I told them, I cannot come running to school to pick him up. I told them, I am not asking for anything but just this request. Yes, the 12 years he spent in a private school with behavior people gave me the much-needed break.

I have been thinking about privilege. With his IEP, my son had the privilege to attend school, but the support system was not present. I think that continues on today. I have funding required, but we do not have the staff present to meet his needs. Anyhow, over the years I have understood my son. I have my own IEP for him. Something that is flexible and that can meet his needs. 

I have heard many old people on talk shows complain about how their kids do not call them or talk to them when they move out of their house or when they get married. How they spend their time in old age homes just passing their time feeling for it. I think they do not know what a privilege they have. They do not need to worry about their kids and what happens after them. They just need to take care of themselves. At this point in my life, I would love my son to be independent of me. I would love it if he did move away with his family and not care for me. I would love to have some own “me” time just thinking about me and my husband.

I do know the grass looks green on the other side. But I think I am right in thinking about it.

Anyhow, on a lighter side, I am going to shop for a new Fitbit. Yes, my old one is giving up on me. My husband asked me if I needed a new iPhone, and I told him I do not. I just needed a new Fitbit to track my steps. I have been granted, and I think I am privileged. Not everyone can go shopping for a GIZMO.

By the way, kids please call your parents if you are away from home. I think forgetting parents is not ethical. My point was completely different.