For the first 2 years of my son’s life, I followed all the parenting guidebooks. I tried to be the best mom possible, ensuring he got a balanced diet, reading multiple books to him daily, and felt he was doing age-appropriate behaviors. He was a little behind in speech, but everyone assured me that was typical with boys and not to worry. After he turned two, new odd behaviors started forming and his speech stopped progressing. Doctors and peers again assured me that this was a phase some kids go through.

This phase turned into a 6-month endeavor until my world stopped in July 2020. Our nanny ran out of the house after a shift, texting me later that she would not be returning. Apparently, his behaviors were less of a “phase” then I had convinced myself. Now our family had to face some hard truths and look for what was really going on with our son. This also ended my 10-year nursing career, and I started my journey into becoming a stay-at-home momma bear.

Becoming a momma bear wasn’t easy. I just wanted answers and to protect by son. But all of a sudden, I could not find any books that quite described what we were going through. I struggled to find resources or help for kids who weren’t neurotypical and who didn’t check the right “boxes”. To even find a psychiatrist who would see a child under 6 years old without over a year wait list was almost unheard of! How could we feel like we were drowning, and no one would help us? And when we did find hope, without a diagnosis or the right insurance, it could slip through our fingers. Why does everything seem like such a battle to just give my son a fair shot in this world build for only neurotypical kids to thrive?

So, over the next 1 1/2 years I did what any reasonable now stay at momma bear with a medical background would do for her little struggling cub…. try to make things better! We have had our ups and downs, but the progress we have made is INCREDIBLE!

I am starting this blog because when we started our journey I felt so alone. The fear of not knowing what was going on with my child, combined with the societal shame for not fitting into the neurotypical “box” had us hiding out at our home. It wasn’t until we finally “broke into” the “neurodiverse” world I finally felt accepted. If this can help just one family like ours feel not so alone then this will all be worth it.

I am also hoping this blog will ultimately help bring some understanding, education, empathy, and kindness to others. Together we can build a community to help lift each other up and support each other with love and understanding. Life is too short to not take an extra moment to be kind and show some love to each other.

Please read through my stories with an open mind, full heart, and remember we all try our best. Hopefully you get some laughs from my over”bear”ing moments. And if you have similar struggles, you can be assured you are not alone.