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Tantrums in the grocery store when too many people are around. Biting friends and siblings when they don’t want to share their toys right away. Throwing herself on the ground when someone tells her no, or even not right now.

I come from a diverse Christian background. My mom is Mormon, while my dad was raised Episcopalian. I’ve dabbled with nondenominational, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches in my own search for what was right for me. When my daughter, Austen, was 4 months old — just three…

Thanksgiving is one of my top two favorite holidays. But when I was a kid, my family did something at the Thanksgiving dinner table that I absolutely hated. It was a tradition many American families have: going around one by one to say what you are thankful for…

Moms don’t get sick days. I remember my mom telling me that one day when I called in desperation. The Army had recently moved us to California for my husband’s training, the first time I had ever been away from my family long-term.

I have a confession. I used to hate Epilepsy Awareness Month. Maybe it’s because our daughter Austen’s first seizure happened in November, so I’m a little bitter about the month in general. Or maybe it’s because I’m a naturally introverted person,…

“Look at the sky, Mom, it’s orange. That means it’s Halloween!” Austen was right, the sky was a very beautiful orange that morning. But I gently tried to explain to her that it wasn’t yet Halloween. It was no use. Within minutes, we were in full…

Today a mom asked me if I thought she should try Fintepla (fenfluramine) for her child. They had just started a new medication and weren’t seeing any results. I told her I thought it was worth the try, but not to take Austen’s good experience as proof…

I saw a meme a while back that explains what would happen if a special needs mom fell into a hole and could not get out. Many people come across her in this hole. A family member asks her if it is really as bad…

My parents have always been doting grandparents. Since my oldest daughter was born 12 years ago, it has felt like Target’s toy department exploded in my home. Almost anything my kids have wanted, they have gotten — within reason, of course. Addi was 2 when…

Austen was 8 months old when we adopted Milo. Her seizures had already started, but her diagnosis was still a good four months into the future. We were on a journey that seemed to be hazed in fog at that point, and Milo…