Hello There...

I am a solo parent to a wild, hilarious, strong-willed 9-year-old son who happens to have autism. I have thought for several years about writing a book or a blog about my journey as an autism parent, not for pity or empathy, but as a way to help cope with a lifelong challenge I was in no way prepared for. I've done therapy for over twenty years for a multitude of problems I seemed to face as a millennial woman, out-of-control teenager, and veteran... and all of those therapists have recommended writing. I'm relatively mediocre at journaling and certainly inconsistent with follow-through, so why not start a blog to further highlight what a chaotic, overwhelming, messy, emotional life we are living while attempting to be accountable online? Even better, what if someone is able to learn from my mistakes, lessons, hardships, and successes to help them on their journey? I'm not sure if this is about the adulting or about the parenting; I'm sure it will be a combination of everything because that is the reality of this life. No matter what, success of this life/mission/calling is a requirement, not an option.

Here's the thing: parenting is tough no matter what. These beautiful, loving, adorable humans with their own personalities and thoughts are absolutely challenging. That doesn't mean we don't like them; it just means they tend to suck our energy in the very moments when we are already on empty. We all need a space to speak and (hopefully, maybe) be heard in a way that connects us to others with similar experiences. As a parent to a child with a disability, that community becomes very small, and those who can really relate to your experiences and thoughts (without judgment, I MUST ADD) become even smaller. Your community starts to look a little different. The things that we always thought we would come back to, to keep our identities and our sense of self, must take a back seat to supporting those adorable little babies we swore to love and protect unconditionally when they came into our lives. Priorities must change, but we don't have to lose who we are along the way. Not that you were wondering, but I am a person with crazy, varying interests outside of being a parent/advocate of a child with special needs.

Listen, I'm a 30-something, tattooed, solo mom looking to share a little bit of humor, irony, tips, venting, lessons learned, questions unanswered, and hopefully mountains of support. Being a parent to a child with autism is unquestionably the most challenging thing any of us have ever done. But it doesn't have to be lonely. It helps to have people to laugh through it with. I intend to keep this real, raw, and uplifting. So pour yourself a glass of wine, preferably in a to-go cup with a straw and lid (for when you have to instinctively jump up and throw your phone and wine because you just heard the toilet flush and you didn't see what went down it). The talk will be real, and the humor might be funny. Thank you for joining me on this adventure... I hope it doesn't suck.

-Haley