1. Take deep breaths. It can be intimidating to sit across from so many educators and school representatives, but your part in this meeting is equally – if not MORE – important than theirs.

“You know what, mom? I got this,” she told me this morning as I dropped her off at the door for her last day of Basketball Camp. She didn’t need me to walk her in, after all.

This week was my daughter’s first camp experience ever, and she thrived. I swear she seems more mature after this week, and her self-confidence has definitely grown.

As parents of children with disabilities, we often question if we are doing the best for our children. Are we doing enough? Are we making the right choices for them? Signing her up for a traditional sports camp was a difficult decision. Unknowns are hard. But Evalyn has developed an interest in basketball, and I wanted to encourage that.

My son is in his final week of kindergarten. So many emotions flooded me this morning as I watched him walk into school and reflected back on this past year. Watching him learn and change and grow in so many ways over the past 10 months.

And as I thought back on this amazing and transitional year for him, I remembered when my daughter with special needs started kindergarten. It was not the same experience.

I was ambitious today.

I woke up at 5:15am this morning because my daughter did. Normally I would be able to fall back to sleep for a bit, but today my mind just raced about so many things as I tossed and turned.

I gave up on sleep and got myself out of bed a little while later. Went downstairs and made school lunches and my coffee, as my daughter watched tv and ate the breakfast my husband had made her before he left for work.

When lunches were made, I had some extra time, so I casually drank my coffee and read some more of FOREVER BOY by Kate of Finding Cooper’s Voice. Then I decided to take a shower AND wash my hair so I would be presentable at my son’s kindergarten Field Day today.

I am the parent of a child with disabilities.

But more importantly, I am the PARENT of a CHILD.

Period.

I am a parent just like you.

A parent who wants the best for their child, who will fight for them, who loves them unconditionally – to the moon and back.