I love the gopher game at Chuck E Cheese and I love children’s theater with their larger-than-life performances. I love Pixar movies on the big screen and I love trampoline parks if everyone knows to play nice and not double bounce me. But some places are just too loud, too crowded, or too much sensory overload for children with special needs. Luckily, these 10 places offer “special days” with a calmer and MUCH more enjoyable …

It turns out kids aren’t the only ones that play favorites. Before you roll your eyes at Paw Patrol or Moana, you need to check your playlist. We all do it. And you know what, it’s totally normal. And may even be psychologically beneficial. Now you can listen to all the Adele and watch all the reruns of Seinfeld you want and I’m thinking out loud and telling you why on Parent.co. What’s your favorite …

Spring is here! Everybody jump up and down and clap real loud and shed the layers…and then stay inside, because it’s April and it’s raining. Not a chance in our house. We would live outside if it were socially acceptable and we didn’t have a mortgage (might as well get your money’s worth, right?). In an effort to embrace the mud and wet and mess that will precede May flowers, here are 7 ways you …

Pink is my new superhero. She is a body-positive powerhouse and she needs to be every new mom’s role model. That’s what I’m talking about on Her View From Home today. Thinking out loud today. Who’s your favorite down-to-earth celebrity? Save Save

The saying, “that’s music to my ears,” usually speaks of something good. “Here, honey, I’ll take that screaming kid off your hand.” –Music to my ears. “Here’s a free cinnamon roll with your coffee.” –Music to my ears. “Here’s your tax refund.” –MUSIC TO MY EARS. But doesn’t it also imply the music is something you’d choose? You wouldn’t skip past it on Pandora. You might even make a Spotify playlist. Country music is NOT …

1 CHRONICLES 4:10 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.   When naptime is declared irrelevant by people who don’t come up to my waist, I pray for sleep. When it’s pouring down rain and I’ve got Charlie with me …

We’ve never visited Santa without tears. We’ve never shaken hands with a character at a theme park. We’ve never waved at Batman when he came to the children’s hospital to greet the kids. They all come on too strong—like Ralphie’s creepy Santa and his pushy elf from A Christmas Story. That’s not the kind of mojo my kid needs. Because my kid has special needs and he’s not digging the loud, Broadway version of his …

I love Parents Magazine. I love the quotes from kids, because it’s true…kids say the darndest things. I skip the “Ages + Stages” section, mostly because none of it applies to Charlie and I’m okay with that. But mostly I love this magazine because they usually have something that applies to special needs, for us off the grid parents. My go-to for most things extra special is always Parenting Special Needs Magazine (I am their …

April brings Spring and new life but it also brings Infertility Awareness Week, something I am ever mindful of. When I read “Grieving a Miscarriage: An Illustrated Discussion” in the New York Times, I found myself transported back there, to that moment when we lost our child, our would-be-first. And then I found myself embarrassed to be so sad about something that happened so long ago and at such an early stage in the pregnancy. …

Hide the kids’ music. Stuff it behind the sofa. Put it in the freezer. Throw it out the window if you really need a therapeutic release. I’ve got some better tuneage for you that the kids will love and you will too. In the name of sanity and getting your groove back, here are my best suggestions (and playlist!) courtesy of Parent.co.   What’s your favorite or least favorite kid’s song? Save Save Save Save