Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and I wanted to dedicate this blog post to all the mothers who put their heart and soul into their family everyday. If you are a mother who has just learned that your baby isn’t meeting their developmental milestones, know that with your helping hand they will learn their basic skills at their own pace. If you are a mother who has a child that was just diagnosed with special needs, know that you are not alone when it comes to advocating for the supports and services they deserve in order to get the education they require. If you are a mother who has a youth that is starting a new chapter in high school, know that there are amazing educators out there who will help them transition, and will teach them the life skills they need in the real world. If you are a mother caring for an adult living with a disability, know that it is okay to ask for help so that you can get some respite. Know that you are not alone.
Our family belongs to the SickKids hospital, and over the past few years their SickKids VS campaign has done wonders to fundraise for re-imaging the hospital, breaking through paediatric health research, and establishing better, coordinated patient care. Check out one of my favourite motivational videos that defines what it means to be #MomStrong:
This emotionally charged video gives you a glimpse of the daily physical and emotional challenges that mothers and their families go through with children who live with disabilities and life threatening illnesses. We are selfless moms who are doing our best to just survive, and we are also moms who often forget to: be thankful, breathe deeply, forgive ourselves and others, and smile with love. I know this is what I need to be #MomStrong.
My son Petie can sometimes be the best guidance counsellor for me. Being a little brother and a young carer for a sister with special needs can be a lot for a 6 year old. His responsibilities are very different than a typical boy his age. However, on the days I feel stretched and completely defeated he is always able to make me smile when he asks for a snuggle or play a competitive game of Uno. Petie makes me more aware of every passing moment, more appreciative of what our family has been through, and what an absolute gift both our children really are.
I always wonder what Bella and Petie think of me, because while I may think that I know my children’s thoughts, the reality of what’s actually going on in their minds could be a whole lot different. I am ending this post with an impromptu video of a Mother’s Day interview with Petie. I decided to ask him a few questions to answer about me as his mom. His answers were honest, funny, and light hearted, and it was good for me to hear all of them!
Although this day will be the same as any other day for me, it is a reminder to be happy on this day and everyday.
Have a happy Mother's Day!
