There's something that happens to a parent when his child turns from a single-digit birthday to a double. At least it does for this parent. I'm finding out that as January 2021 approaches, when Caleb turns 10, I seem to be caught up with a feeling of increasing anxiety that I can't quite explain. All … Continue reading Three more months and Caleb will be 10. But really, my son with autism is more like 6!
Tag: Stay Home Dad
Staying home for my son with autism – one dad’s life outside of a job title
Looking back, I guess we always suspected Caleb had special needs, which we later found out to be autism. This was a suspicion that we already sensed when he was a baby. He didn't sleep easily, drank milk with great difficulty, ate little, but cried a lot. Everyone we knew assured us a second child … Continue reading Staying home for my son with autism – one dad’s life outside of a job title
“Three Wrongs Do Not An Essay Make” – How one memory derailed my writing plan
An editor approached me a couple of months back, asking if I would share with her readers my journey as a dad with a special needs child; in particular the period following my son's official ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis. My first thought was: "Ok, sure. That diagnosis happened more than two years ago so … Continue reading “Three Wrongs Do Not An Essay Make” – How one memory derailed my writing plan
So I started a writer’s group. Now what?!
Yes, I did the unthinkable - I started a writer's group! Call it an itch that needed scratching. A thirst that needed quenching. But whatever you call it, just know that I'm pinning the blame for it solely on Covid-19. Or on the lonely journey of every writer. Or on a whim and a lark … Continue reading So I started a writer’s group. Now what?!
To a child, LOVE’s not only spelled “T-I-M-E”; it’s also spelled….
As parents, we've all heard this adage more times than we care to count: For kids, LOVE is spelled T-I-M-E. Cos spending time with them is the best sign that we the parents care and love them. Many have even gone on to qualify that it's not just about Quality time; it's also about Quantity … Continue reading To a child, LOVE’s not only spelled “T-I-M-E”; it’s also spelled….
Caleb’s school morning routine – a masterclass in ‘fixing’ his dad
I don't get it. I just don't get it. It feels like we've been living with Caleb forever now. And for most of that time, we've also lived with his autism and the challenges they entail. By now, I should know all too well that he is who he is, and my role as his … Continue reading Caleb’s school morning routine – a masterclass in ‘fixing’ his dad
To be a writer, just write. Period.
I have been at this for nearly five months now. Yet I'm still finding it hard to make it stick! Yes, I'm talking about my writing. You see, recently I told my wife that I've been finding it really easy to finish my daily task of typing out 750 words in one uninterrupted sitting. Quality … Continue reading To be a writer, just write. Period.
Living with Daily Defiance
Want to know how mind-slammingly hard it can be living everyday with kids? How about with a kid that 'gets it' but also doesn’t ‘get it’? Let me explain. You see, it’s kind of hard working with children who have special needs like my Caleb. With him, it’s always a fight to transition to doing … Continue reading Living with Daily Defiance
Film Review: Looking Up – A Soppy Tribute to Fathers, But I Love It!
Let's face it: perfectly normal dads everywhere would openly admit to it, if they knew we'd keep this a secret from the rest of the macho world. And what secret might that be? Well, dads all love a soppy tribute to fathers, be it a song or a dance or, in this case, a film. … Continue reading Film Review: Looking Up – A Soppy Tribute to Fathers, But I Love It!
Choosing to be “SAHD” – What if I was wrong all along?
It's been nearly two years now since I started being home more for the kids. So a good time to check-in and see if it was the "right" move. Right? Well, I found out last night. And it wasn't the answer I expected. You see, Jaedon and I had swung by the beach near our … Continue reading Choosing to be “SAHD” – What if I was wrong all along?