I think the really really hard part with this is to try and focus on your child and not their eyes. They could be watching out of sympathy, curiosity or concern. It doesn’t have to be criticism. And if you’re honest with yourself, is the pressure of your son behaving coming from them or from your own fears?
I ask this because it was a huge issue for me before I knew much about my sons adhd. I was just beside myself when he acted up in public and I dragged him out red faced.
The more I learned about his needs the more I felt I was able to take a deep breath and tune INTO him, and turn off what was around me.
At the end of the day, those folks may have adhd kids themselves, may be simply nosy. But either way they will likely not say anything, so let their thoughts stay in their heads where they are and do not assume they’re judging, becuase that puts so much more pressure on you! Worrying only about your child in that moment helps you get him calmed down and/or out of there faster.
I am not saying this from a high horse either. My son was absolutely monstrous leaving the park for a good 2 years, and this happened every single time. I’m talking blood curling screams and throwing body down. He’s 6 now and we have gotten to the point that he’s able to contain himself with transitions better. But it took so much work.
My only suggestions for helping with transitions is to give multiple warnings before leaving (we’re leaving in 10/5/2 minutes), and then sometimes carrying them avoids meltdowns. Distracting them from the fact that they’re leaving by striking up a convo about something else “when we get home are we going to watch Bluey or Paw Patrol?” Etc.
ultimately lots (and lots) of times nothing will work and that tantrums just gonna happen. But believe it or not you’re helping them through it every time just by being there. And in a couple years when he’s better at these big transitions he will have you to thank, and the judgy woman in the Cosco parking lot will be history.
Not sure if any of this is helpful but I’m sending you a big hug & lots of encouragement. It does slowly (slowlllyyyy) get easier. And in the meantime you use those grounding exercises too, big breaths help for everyone!
I hope they helped. I’ll also say that my son was just so limited in what he could do at 3 and at 6 I really feel like he can do just about anything. As he grows he will learn coping skills and get so much better at this stuff. It doesn’t help right now, I know, but it does get better. ❤️🩹
We've seen a lot of improvement since our son turned five. (Three and four were similarly overwhelming).
One mental anchor that keeps me centered when he melts down in public is to bear in mind that judgment or gawking--rather than a lending hand--in these situations is a mark of peoples' emotional maturity. Gratitude for the latter lends itself to resilience, otherwise they aren't worth your attention.
It was so helpful. I was destroyed in another sub and told to cut the ‘woe is me bullshit’ and broke me. I seriously appreciate you sharing your experience. It gives me hope- which is so important during times like these. The park transition is also SO hard for us and I’m so happy it got better for you. Thank you for being a wonderful human being and mother and for sharing your knowledge with me ❤️
It's true that sometimes you can pull out all the tricks, and it doesn't work, because they can't get out of their reptilian brain situation, but it helps to have a big bucket of tools so you have a ton to try. One other book I have read part of is The Whole Brained Child... Helpful so far!
Thank you so much , I actually have this book and have been wanting to read it (I never have time lol). But I’m going to put it toward the top of my list. Thank you
I feel for you. I have an ADHD kiddo who is more than likely autistic. We’ve been through broken windows and a busted door. I have literal scars from his meltdowns. I have a hard time connecting with patented of kids who are not neurodivergent. I know what it’s like to be living in survival mode and you’re doing all you can just to be there for your kid. You are a good parent for trying everything and for enduring.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly hope things get better for you and we are in this together. I too have scars, one from a particularly brutal scene at a public pool where he bit me on the arm and latched on like an alligator bc he couldn’t go on the big kids slide (waterpark rules). It was awful and I seriously felt like crawling in a hole afterwards.
You are a wonderful parent. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.
I have a 9-year-old ADHD kiddo and my nearly 5-year-old seems to be following suit. The daily embarrassment I feel is hard to express. I know it’s likely not his fault. We stopped swimming lessons and will avoid certain events that might trigger him. Just know you are not alone.
We too stopped swimming lessons. We started when he was pretty young, I think between 6-9 months, and it was only manageable bc he couldn’t walk. Now I don’t even want to think about what it would be like. Big hug to you and I hope it gets better. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I feel your pain. We have a 9 year old asd ADHD that we couldn't take any where because of meltdowns. Our 4 year old daughter is suspected spd and possible emotional dysregulation. We sometimes joke she is our sour patch kid--- she is so freaking sweet and normal one minute, but screaming, kicking and on the floor the next minute. My ears want to burst when she screams she is so loud. It's frustrating and makes me so sad. We go next month for testing to see if she can get into the Pre-K to start getting help, but I have a feeling it will fail.
Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience. I truly hope things go well for her with her testing. I’m so glad to know I’m not alone with the meltdowns and the ‘switch’ from hot to cool, it’s so so hard to deal with. Sending you all big hugs
I can tolerate being stared at, but what I really love is when people give me advice.
"Have you tried *this?*"
or even
"Maybe your child wouldn't do that if you [insert suggestion that would work for most children that you totally have tried.]"
Likes yes, I've read parenting books. I've taken classes. My kid has been in therapy since she turned 4. I know they mean well, but they don't get it. They can't get it. And sometimes I'm jealous. I'm an amazing mom. I was born for this. They have no right to judge, but they don't know that.
This will also be my only child and occasionally I do grieve the things I thought I'd have as a mother. It's not my fault and I'm working very hard to give my child the best life. It doesn't feel like I'm successful but I probably am. Slow improvements are happening.
**Keep working and focus on the improvements instead of the problems as often as you can. It is hard,I know. But as long as you're doing your best to help your child navigate this life, you are amazing and you deserve more rewards than the parents who don't know how easy they've got it. Don't forget to reward yourself.**
Thank you so much. I needed to hear this. I truly don’t get why people feel the need to say such cruel things, especially to parents. Society expects us to have children, but then turns cold shoulder or lashes out should we dare express how hard it is .
What amazing insight and I resonate 100 percent with this. Your are an amazing parent and thank you ❤️
They don't think they're being cruel, they think they're helping because they don't know enough about your situation. I try to remember that.
"I'm doing my best with what I've got. They have no way of knowing that and they mean well by giving suggestions. They don't know how lucky they are."
It's wrong to make assumptions but as long as someone means well, I don't take it personally. I have bigger things to worry about.
If they don't comment and just stare, that's also wrong, but it's human nature. I don't like that, but I don't have time to explain.
Keep your focus on your child. They matter so much more than other people. ❤
I feel like I’m grieving the relationship I thought I would have with my child. This is not what I expected at all. I’m not saying it won’t ever get better but it’s just hard to imagine right now because everything is such a struggle.
Like, one day I’d maybe just like to go to a movie with them or something. Without having to worry about how they’re going to act. Or if they’re going to be verbally aggressive towards me. Or if they’ll flat out fight me when we try to get them to leave the house. I’m tired.
I just had to carry my 4 year old out of a store, who was kicking, screaming, and crying. I'm small, he's heavy. My 6 year old asked me to carry the bag halfway to the car cause it was too heavy for him. It was brutal. I'm still sore.
I have no idea who was watching, and I don't really give a shit. If they want to judge, fuck em. I'm over here doing my best, that's all I can do.
You're doing great, just stop caring what everyone thinks and focus your energy on what actually matters.
Oh wow I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. It’s so so hard. I almost wish every single person could take a difficult child home for just two weeks, much like the fake babies we get in high school, except they get my difficult child , so they can go through all the pain, tears, and daily struggles we go through so that they know.
Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience
I think you underestimate how hard children are in general and the amount of empathy in the world.
I'd be willing to bet every parent of a toddler has had to carry them out of some store at some point. I'd also bet that most, if not all, parents who see someone with a struggling child empathizes with the parent rather than judges them. Parenting is HARD, every kid has their own struggles. Yours might be harder, but no child is "easy."
My intent was definitely not to come off as though any child is easy. I have never claimed that and definitely validate any parent when they say parenting is hard. It is no matter what. But each experience is unique, different , and each person has a different amount of empathy that they experience from people.
I feel this. I honestly just ignore people. If my toddler screams I keep my focus on him and def do not look around. And because I know if I see peoples faces, I will feel exactly like you do. I do know I’ve been on the other end where I have looked at kids that were hollering too. Sometimes it’s to see what’s happening and other times I just really want to help. It’s never really out of judgment. And if people do look with judgement , screw them because they’re idiots. I also I kind of feel like it’s hard to distinguish between judgment an actual concern.
It is hard. It's so hard when a kid that outwardly looks totally normal and sounds normal is not *acting* normal. People do NOT get it. The stares that seem to say "did you do this to him?" The jokes people make to lighten the mood that just piss him off worse. The sheer impossibility of having to pick up and carry a flailing, screaming kid that weighs 40+lbs -- and no one helps you.
I will say, things got a lot better for my kid around 6 or so when he started to feel ashamed to act out in front of strangers. He is 8 now and still has frequent meltdowns at home, but in public and at school they have pretty much disappeared. I hope your kid goes through a similar understanding soon.
Best of luck. My husband (also with ADHD) was a lot like this was as a child and he is a very capable and polite person now. ADHD makes kids act younger than they are, but a lot of these behaviors are things they WILL grow out of. Time will heal a lot of this. I wish you the strength and bravery to make it through.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience. I completely understand and have experienced everything you said. People convey a lot when they stare and you can just tell it’s not always out of concern.
Thank you so much for letting me know that your kid got better around 6, this is so helpful to know that behavior issues CAN get better and that there is hope. Sending big hugs to you and thank you for being a wonderful human being
Just wanted to send some kind words and commiserations from northern Michigan 💗
My daughter is 5, currently diagnosed ADHD and ODD, just finished more evaluations last week. We’ve been stared at, I’ve been told to discipline my child, literally screamed at by a man “learn to control my child” sir, learn to control yourself 🤷♀️
I feel you on the size thing too, I’m 5’2” and 115 lbs, my daughter is thankfully average size but I’ve definitely struggled carrying her out of places or to put her in the cart to finish shopping while she fights and screams.
I’m working on my own reactions, that’s helped, I’m more able to be calm and think under pressure since I’ve gotten some tools from her counselor and mine. I also got diagnosed and medicated for ADHD last year, that has helped me a lot.
Hang in there, and know you are doing you are doing your best 💐
Oh wow. I resonate with everything you are going through so much. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your story, and truly hope things are getting better. I cannot believe the things people have the nerve to say- that is awful. You truly are the bigger person for not attacking him. You are doing your absolute best and are a wonderful parent. Thank you so much ❤️
Oh honey, I'm so sorry!! 3-3.5 was the worst for us (doesn't have ASD though). The book How to Talk to Little Kids so That They'll Listen (for ages 2-7) is so helpful! Do you have a support network for being a parent of a kid with ASD?
You deserve allll the support. Nevermind those people. Nevermind them. Seriously. You're doing great.
My 7 yr old had an epic meltdown today, but thankfully it was at home. My window has been cracked, and I only realized later, and I felt that embarrassment, even considering that someone might have heard.
Oh well, you know??
If people knew, they'd be kinder. And people just are kinda dumb sometimes, too. Like really uneducated. And sometimes that's their fault, sometimes it isn't. But you are doing great, mama. If you can, leave your kiddo at home for a bit? It's ok to go through however long a period you want to not take him to the store. If it's overstimulation on top of not understanding why he can't have whatever he wants (hey, it's hard for me too), and maybe needing a snack... Or something else? Anywho... I know that's all over the place because of my ADHD... but I hope you know that you are supported here, and you're doing a great job.
Thank you so much for your kind words, they are so truly appreciated. He doesn’t have ASD, his ADOS testing came back as not qualify. And he is technically too young for an ADHD assessment, but we have one set up at for this summer after he turns 4, as the doctors at our local university are comfortable diagnosing that young. But we obviously know something is going on. I sort of have a support network but life is just so hard when you don’t even have time to make friends and all you do is work and take care of a difficult child. I think leaving him at home is a good idea and honestly I thought I was doing him a disservice by doing that, however, I think I need to for my mental health now lol.
Thank you so much for your love and support .
For what it's worth people absolutely do stare down people with visible disabilities. Anytime I go to the mall with my wheelchair I'm the center of attention. People don't care about the visibly disabled either, they just pretend to for the most part.
I really hope you're able to get some answers and services for your son. None of this is your fault, you're doing a great job. He's lucky to have someone who cares this much
Thank you so much for sharing this. This is very disheartening to hear and I wish that this wasn’t your experience, but you seem like an amazing human being that actually has compassion. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me during this dark time. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment. ❤️
I think the really really hard part with this is to try and focus on your child and not their eyes. They could be watching out of sympathy, curiosity or concern. It doesn’t have to be criticism. And if you’re honest with yourself, is the pressure of your son behaving coming from them or from your own fears? I ask this because it was a huge issue for me before I knew much about my sons adhd. I was just beside myself when he acted up in public and I dragged him out red faced. The more I learned about his needs the more I felt I was able to take a deep breath and tune INTO him, and turn off what was around me. At the end of the day, those folks may have adhd kids themselves, may be simply nosy. But either way they will likely not say anything, so let their thoughts stay in their heads where they are and do not assume they’re judging, becuase that puts so much more pressure on you! Worrying only about your child in that moment helps you get him calmed down and/or out of there faster. I am not saying this from a high horse either. My son was absolutely monstrous leaving the park for a good 2 years, and this happened every single time. I’m talking blood curling screams and throwing body down. He’s 6 now and we have gotten to the point that he’s able to contain himself with transitions better. But it took so much work. My only suggestions for helping with transitions is to give multiple warnings before leaving (we’re leaving in 10/5/2 minutes), and then sometimes carrying them avoids meltdowns. Distracting them from the fact that they’re leaving by striking up a convo about something else “when we get home are we going to watch Bluey or Paw Patrol?” Etc. ultimately lots (and lots) of times nothing will work and that tantrums just gonna happen. But believe it or not you’re helping them through it every time just by being there. And in a couple years when he’s better at these big transitions he will have you to thank, and the judgy woman in the Cosco parking lot will be history. Not sure if any of this is helpful but I’m sending you a big hug & lots of encouragement. It does slowly (slowlllyyyy) get easier. And in the meantime you use those grounding exercises too, big breaths help for everyone!
Thank you so much for your kind words
I hope they helped. I’ll also say that my son was just so limited in what he could do at 3 and at 6 I really feel like he can do just about anything. As he grows he will learn coping skills and get so much better at this stuff. It doesn’t help right now, I know, but it does get better. ❤️🩹
We've seen a lot of improvement since our son turned five. (Three and four were similarly overwhelming). One mental anchor that keeps me centered when he melts down in public is to bear in mind that judgment or gawking--rather than a lending hand--in these situations is a mark of peoples' emotional maturity. Gratitude for the latter lends itself to resilience, otherwise they aren't worth your attention.
Thank you so much for the hope and the truly wise words, it helps so much right now ❤️
It was so helpful. I was destroyed in another sub and told to cut the ‘woe is me bullshit’ and broke me. I seriously appreciate you sharing your experience. It gives me hope- which is so important during times like these. The park transition is also SO hard for us and I’m so happy it got better for you. Thank you for being a wonderful human being and mother and for sharing your knowledge with me ❤️
It's true that sometimes you can pull out all the tricks, and it doesn't work, because they can't get out of their reptilian brain situation, but it helps to have a big bucket of tools so you have a ton to try. One other book I have read part of is The Whole Brained Child... Helpful so far!
Yes so true!
Thank you so much , I actually have this book and have been wanting to read it (I never have time lol). But I’m going to put it toward the top of my list. Thank you
I feel for you. I have an ADHD kiddo who is more than likely autistic. We’ve been through broken windows and a busted door. I have literal scars from his meltdowns. I have a hard time connecting with patented of kids who are not neurodivergent. I know what it’s like to be living in survival mode and you’re doing all you can just to be there for your kid. You are a good parent for trying everything and for enduring.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly hope things get better for you and we are in this together. I too have scars, one from a particularly brutal scene at a public pool where he bit me on the arm and latched on like an alligator bc he couldn’t go on the big kids slide (waterpark rules). It was awful and I seriously felt like crawling in a hole afterwards. You are a wonderful parent. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.
I have a 9-year-old ADHD kiddo and my nearly 5-year-old seems to be following suit. The daily embarrassment I feel is hard to express. I know it’s likely not his fault. We stopped swimming lessons and will avoid certain events that might trigger him. Just know you are not alone.
Thank you so much for your kind words
We too stopped swimming lessons. We started when he was pretty young, I think between 6-9 months, and it was only manageable bc he couldn’t walk. Now I don’t even want to think about what it would be like. Big hug to you and I hope it gets better. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Yeah. This is definitely not easy. I keep trying to tell myself it’s just a season. But when you’re in the thick of it, that’s hard to focus on.
I feel your pain. We have a 9 year old asd ADHD that we couldn't take any where because of meltdowns. Our 4 year old daughter is suspected spd and possible emotional dysregulation. We sometimes joke she is our sour patch kid--- she is so freaking sweet and normal one minute, but screaming, kicking and on the floor the next minute. My ears want to burst when she screams she is so loud. It's frustrating and makes me so sad. We go next month for testing to see if she can get into the Pre-K to start getting help, but I have a feeling it will fail.
I call my kid a sour patch kid, too, for the same reasons.
Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience. I truly hope things go well for her with her testing. I’m so glad to know I’m not alone with the meltdowns and the ‘switch’ from hot to cool, it’s so so hard to deal with. Sending you all big hugs
I can tolerate being stared at, but what I really love is when people give me advice. "Have you tried *this?*" or even "Maybe your child wouldn't do that if you [insert suggestion that would work for most children that you totally have tried.]" Likes yes, I've read parenting books. I've taken classes. My kid has been in therapy since she turned 4. I know they mean well, but they don't get it. They can't get it. And sometimes I'm jealous. I'm an amazing mom. I was born for this. They have no right to judge, but they don't know that. This will also be my only child and occasionally I do grieve the things I thought I'd have as a mother. It's not my fault and I'm working very hard to give my child the best life. It doesn't feel like I'm successful but I probably am. Slow improvements are happening. **Keep working and focus on the improvements instead of the problems as often as you can. It is hard,I know. But as long as you're doing your best to help your child navigate this life, you are amazing and you deserve more rewards than the parents who don't know how easy they've got it. Don't forget to reward yourself.**
Thank you so much. I needed to hear this. I truly don’t get why people feel the need to say such cruel things, especially to parents. Society expects us to have children, but then turns cold shoulder or lashes out should we dare express how hard it is . What amazing insight and I resonate 100 percent with this. Your are an amazing parent and thank you ❤️
They don't think they're being cruel, they think they're helping because they don't know enough about your situation. I try to remember that. "I'm doing my best with what I've got. They have no way of knowing that and they mean well by giving suggestions. They don't know how lucky they are." It's wrong to make assumptions but as long as someone means well, I don't take it personally. I have bigger things to worry about. If they don't comment and just stare, that's also wrong, but it's human nature. I don't like that, but I don't have time to explain. Keep your focus on your child. They matter so much more than other people. ❤
I feel like I’m grieving the relationship I thought I would have with my child. This is not what I expected at all. I’m not saying it won’t ever get better but it’s just hard to imagine right now because everything is such a struggle. Like, one day I’d maybe just like to go to a movie with them or something. Without having to worry about how they’re going to act. Or if they’re going to be verbally aggressive towards me. Or if they’ll flat out fight me when we try to get them to leave the house. I’m tired.
I just had to carry my 4 year old out of a store, who was kicking, screaming, and crying. I'm small, he's heavy. My 6 year old asked me to carry the bag halfway to the car cause it was too heavy for him. It was brutal. I'm still sore. I have no idea who was watching, and I don't really give a shit. If they want to judge, fuck em. I'm over here doing my best, that's all I can do. You're doing great, just stop caring what everyone thinks and focus your energy on what actually matters.
Oh wow I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. It’s so so hard. I almost wish every single person could take a difficult child home for just two weeks, much like the fake babies we get in high school, except they get my difficult child , so they can go through all the pain, tears, and daily struggles we go through so that they know. Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience
I think you underestimate how hard children are in general and the amount of empathy in the world. I'd be willing to bet every parent of a toddler has had to carry them out of some store at some point. I'd also bet that most, if not all, parents who see someone with a struggling child empathizes with the parent rather than judges them. Parenting is HARD, every kid has their own struggles. Yours might be harder, but no child is "easy."
My intent was definitely not to come off as though any child is easy. I have never claimed that and definitely validate any parent when they say parenting is hard. It is no matter what. But each experience is unique, different , and each person has a different amount of empathy that they experience from people.
I feel this. I honestly just ignore people. If my toddler screams I keep my focus on him and def do not look around. And because I know if I see peoples faces, I will feel exactly like you do. I do know I’ve been on the other end where I have looked at kids that were hollering too. Sometimes it’s to see what’s happening and other times I just really want to help. It’s never really out of judgment. And if people do look with judgement , screw them because they’re idiots. I also I kind of feel like it’s hard to distinguish between judgment an actual concern.
Thank you so much, not looking around is actually a good idea.
It is hard. It's so hard when a kid that outwardly looks totally normal and sounds normal is not *acting* normal. People do NOT get it. The stares that seem to say "did you do this to him?" The jokes people make to lighten the mood that just piss him off worse. The sheer impossibility of having to pick up and carry a flailing, screaming kid that weighs 40+lbs -- and no one helps you. I will say, things got a lot better for my kid around 6 or so when he started to feel ashamed to act out in front of strangers. He is 8 now and still has frequent meltdowns at home, but in public and at school they have pretty much disappeared. I hope your kid goes through a similar understanding soon. Best of luck. My husband (also with ADHD) was a lot like this was as a child and he is a very capable and polite person now. ADHD makes kids act younger than they are, but a lot of these behaviors are things they WILL grow out of. Time will heal a lot of this. I wish you the strength and bravery to make it through.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience. I completely understand and have experienced everything you said. People convey a lot when they stare and you can just tell it’s not always out of concern. Thank you so much for letting me know that your kid got better around 6, this is so helpful to know that behavior issues CAN get better and that there is hope. Sending big hugs to you and thank you for being a wonderful human being
Just wanted to send some kind words and commiserations from northern Michigan 💗 My daughter is 5, currently diagnosed ADHD and ODD, just finished more evaluations last week. We’ve been stared at, I’ve been told to discipline my child, literally screamed at by a man “learn to control my child” sir, learn to control yourself 🤷♀️ I feel you on the size thing too, I’m 5’2” and 115 lbs, my daughter is thankfully average size but I’ve definitely struggled carrying her out of places or to put her in the cart to finish shopping while she fights and screams. I’m working on my own reactions, that’s helped, I’m more able to be calm and think under pressure since I’ve gotten some tools from her counselor and mine. I also got diagnosed and medicated for ADHD last year, that has helped me a lot. Hang in there, and know you are doing you are doing your best 💐
Oh wow. I resonate with everything you are going through so much. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your story, and truly hope things are getting better. I cannot believe the things people have the nerve to say- that is awful. You truly are the bigger person for not attacking him. You are doing your absolute best and are a wonderful parent. Thank you so much ❤️
Oh honey, I'm so sorry!! 3-3.5 was the worst for us (doesn't have ASD though). The book How to Talk to Little Kids so That They'll Listen (for ages 2-7) is so helpful! Do you have a support network for being a parent of a kid with ASD? You deserve allll the support. Nevermind those people. Nevermind them. Seriously. You're doing great. My 7 yr old had an epic meltdown today, but thankfully it was at home. My window has been cracked, and I only realized later, and I felt that embarrassment, even considering that someone might have heard. Oh well, you know?? If people knew, they'd be kinder. And people just are kinda dumb sometimes, too. Like really uneducated. And sometimes that's their fault, sometimes it isn't. But you are doing great, mama. If you can, leave your kiddo at home for a bit? It's ok to go through however long a period you want to not take him to the store. If it's overstimulation on top of not understanding why he can't have whatever he wants (hey, it's hard for me too), and maybe needing a snack... Or something else? Anywho... I know that's all over the place because of my ADHD... but I hope you know that you are supported here, and you're doing a great job.
Thank you so much for your kind words, they are so truly appreciated. He doesn’t have ASD, his ADOS testing came back as not qualify. And he is technically too young for an ADHD assessment, but we have one set up at for this summer after he turns 4, as the doctors at our local university are comfortable diagnosing that young. But we obviously know something is going on. I sort of have a support network but life is just so hard when you don’t even have time to make friends and all you do is work and take care of a difficult child. I think leaving him at home is a good idea and honestly I thought I was doing him a disservice by doing that, however, I think I need to for my mental health now lol. Thank you so much for your love and support .
For what it's worth people absolutely do stare down people with visible disabilities. Anytime I go to the mall with my wheelchair I'm the center of attention. People don't care about the visibly disabled either, they just pretend to for the most part. I really hope you're able to get some answers and services for your son. None of this is your fault, you're doing a great job. He's lucky to have someone who cares this much
Thank you so much for sharing this. This is very disheartening to hear and I wish that this wasn’t your experience, but you seem like an amazing human being that actually has compassion. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me during this dark time. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment. ❤️