2011 ~ amjad 79

Friday, 2 December 2011

What Essential Oils does Alterna-Mom Use?

Posted on 07:39 by tripal h

I have been asked several times lately which essential oils I use with my family. I only trust and use Young Living Essential Oils because I know how they are planted, farmed, harvested, and steam distilled... They are FDA approved for internal consumption and my little ones benefit from diffusing and topical application as well, which is the easiest way to reap the benefits of therapeutic/food grade essential oils.We have used essential oils to...

Posted in anxiety, autism, constipation, emotional health, Essential Oils, Home Remedies, Inquiring Mom Questions, sensory issues, Young Living | No comments

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Serendipity and A Random Driveway

Posted on 07:34 by tripal h

Do you believe in serendipity?I do... Yesterday I was turning around in a random driveway, and noticed an autism bumper sticker on the tattered car in the driveway. When I looked up, I saw an anxious little face in the bay window.... I have been wondering since if I was supposed to stop and knock on their door... but what do you say, "Um, I know strangers aren't suppose to knock on your door.... and I am probably cause a meltdown with your child,...

Posted in autism, community, mothers, Serendipity, Stress | No comments

Friday, 21 October 2011

Halloween Nights

Posted on 08:30 by tripal h

Halloween is around the corner…. In fact just 10 days away.It is a super-charged time for me. Firstly, it brings up significant memories for me. Secondly, this Halloween will be the 3rd year anniversary of our daughter’s formal autism diagnosis… A day our life changed forever! However, on that Halloween in 2008, I came home and I couldn't breathe…. I was in a stupor for 3 days. Ironically, in hindsight it reminds me of how I felt in the hard plastic...

Posted in autism, confidence, emotional health, family, Halloween, holiday, Homemade costumes, Memories, Siblings, Sisters | No comments

Sunday, 7 August 2011

I AM ME... The Autism Discussion with my Daughter

Posted on 10:47 by tripal h

Every year the Ohio State Fair marks a monumental moment for us... the home stretch of summer break. This year was no different... until we arrived there and then the twists and turns of the day lead to an unexpected turning point in our world of autism... We were greeted by a procession of dozens of motorcycle cops blowing their horns with flashing lights... what was the big deal?? SANTA! Sahara is obsessed with Santa (and I mean that literally)....

Posted in autism, community, confidence, decision making, emotional health, Family Issues, fathers, mothers, ohio state fair, self empowerment, sensory issues, Water | No comments

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Dear Autistic Friends... My Gratitude, Frustrations and Empowerment

Posted on 19:23 by tripal h

Dear Adult Autistic Friends, Thank you for debunking myths about being an autistic adult for me. Sahara (my 7 year old daughter) has gone from catatonic to achieving daily milestones... and I feel hearing your stories and befriending you has helped me set the bar high for this amazing child (when professionals said to institutionalize her).Traditional therapy and educators didn't instill compassion and empathy in her. Nor did it teach her to strive...

Posted in attachment parenting, autism, AWN, fathers, gratitude, Home Remedies, Meditation, mothers, self empowerment, Siblings, The Power of Intention | No comments

Sunday, 5 June 2011

Morning Gratitude

Posted on 07:00 by tripal h

Morning Gratitude: Thank You God for trusting me enough to be the mother of these special kids!! Last night I was listening to Sahara talk, yes talk, to Emily and her BFF and I said to Jim... THIS is the same child that the psychologist wanted us to institutionalize... even through all the advocating and tears, I am so humbled to walk this path with them. THEY give our life deeper meaning and for that I am forever grateful!!...

Posted in autism, confidence, decision making, emotional health, fathers, gratitude, mothers, self empowerment, Siblings | No comments

Friday, 27 May 2011

Why I Blog

Posted on 10:09 by tripal h

Just feeling the need today to re-iterate why I blog...My blog is a place were I explore my feelings and experiences that occur within the web of my motherhood. It is a safe place where I execute my right to freedom of speech. The beautiful thing about the art of journaling is that by purging words onto a piece of paper (or monitor screen) you release them. In doing so, clarity of a situation, experience or emotion may come forth. In making this journaling experience public, I hope that other parents (especially mothers) can gain wisdom, strength,...

Posted in community, decision making, emotional health, Energy, Home Remedies, Journaling, mothers, self empowerment, Stress | No comments

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Attention Educators: Stop Bullshitting Me (Part 1)

Posted on 19:56 by tripal h

I think educators think we [parents] are stupid. However, I would like to remind them all [teachers, principles, aides and administrators] that as a professional counselor it is my job to see through people’s bullshit. And lately I have been wading in a lot of that. I have tried to be nice, like Peter Wright suggests... but I have had my fill of social etiquette this year. (For those of you who don't know: The district is moving our autistic daughter...

Posted in autism, Education, facebook, IEP, politics, sensory issues, speech therapy | No comments

Thursday, 19 May 2011

IEP Season

Posted on 18:05 by tripal h

I have come to understand there are 2 different cultures of moms in the month of May... the moms counting down til summer break just so they can count down til school starts AND the moms who are in the midst of IEP-season. No judgement.... just keenly aware of the differences right now. I used to be in the first culture (minus the countdown for school starting – I always dreaded seeing that big yellow bus pulling up to take my children away.) But...

Posted in autism, Education, IEP, mothers, self empowerment | No comments

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Autism and Breastfeeding

Posted on 17:57 by tripal h

So, you might be asking what breastfeeding has to do with autism. Well, nothing really… and yet everything in our corner of the world. April is Autism Awareness Month; I have blogged on just about every topic pertaining to autism… except breastfeeding. Which, to me, seems a bit ironic as that is the single activity that began our quest to discover that autism was in our midst. Another reason I find this strange is that I am a breastfeeding advocate....

Posted in autism, Autism awareness month, breastfeeding, child's health, mothers, physical health, Siblings | No comments

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Breakfast Success

Posted on 08:28 by tripal h

Am I an overachieving mother?Perhaps!This morning for breakfast I made...Sahara ~ Bacon, Fresh Strawberries and a Smoothie. After I delivered it to her (in bed) she said in a sweet 'I love you' sort of voice, "Downstairs, Mom." I suppose she was happy with her selection and just wanted to happily munch while watching Angelina the Ballerina by herself. Emily ~ Cream Cheese and Homemade Berry Jam Stuffed French Toast, Bacon, Fresh Strawberries and...

Posted in emotional health, Family Issues, fathers, gratitude, Homeschool, marriage, mothers | No comments

Mamapalooza Columbus Spring Festival 2011

Posted on 05:21 by tripal h

MAMAPALOOZA COLUMBUS SPRING FESTIVAL 2011 COLUMBUS, OH (5/14/11) - - Mamapalooza Columbus, a regional branch of New York’s Mamapalooza Inc., is providing an empowering Spring Festival again in Columbus, Ohio. This fun mom-centered, family-friendly, indoor-outdoor festival will take place Saturday, May 14 12:00Noon - 6:00 p.m at WholeKids Pediatrics & Yoga,1335 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43215. The first 100 Moms through the gate will...

Posted in Art, Arts and Entertainment, Columbus Ohio, community, Mamapalooza, Mamapalooza Columbus, mothers, self empowerment, The Mother Consciousness | No comments

Monday, 11 April 2011

Still Autism Awareness Month: Your beliefs are important.

Posted on 05:45 by tripal h

It is April 11th and it is still autism awareness month... Are you aware?When Sahara was just 4 and a half, we were told to prepare to institutionalize her!! Why?Because she was catatonic, non-verbal, socially withdrawn, and we were opting to not participate in ABA therapy. Once we got the confirmation of the label... the denial subsided... and we got to work. It was hard; I will not sugar coat it. I worked 24/7 while trying to make life seem as...

Posted in autism, Autism awareness month, confidence, decision making, fathers, Home Remedies, mothers, Siblings, speech therapy | No comments

Friday, 1 April 2011

Autism Awareness Day: In a nutshell

Posted on 14:20 by tripal h

I am a proud mother of 2 daughters; one who is exceptional beyond this label, and the other, a sibling who is just as spectacular. It took us 4 years to get 'professionals' to listen to us bc of gender issues. We are addressing Autism naturally without ABA nor meds... want to know more about autism or how it affects females.... ask me any day not just on this hallmark day!! I have met the most diverse and supportive folks on this journey... to you...

Posted in autism, Autism awareness month, Family Issues, fathers, holiday, Home Remedies, marriage, mothers, self empowerment | No comments

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Restless Good Night Routine

Posted on 09:50 by tripal h

Our nighttime routine is anything but routine... it has no rhyme, no rhythm! It is undeniably the most difficult part of the day in the life of autism. When Mom and Dad are both exhausted from the day's events.... one child ready to crash n burn while the other is just getting her second wind.... or so that is how it seems. Last night I had a revelation about this challenging situation; and ironically it was the very fact that this night was no...

Posted in Energy, Family Issues, fathers, mothers, sensory issues, sensory processing, Siblings, Sleep issues, speech therapy, Stress | No comments

Friday, 11 March 2011

5 iPads for Autism

Posted on 07:31 by tripal h

I have a brilliant idea!! I want to get 5 iPads into the hands of non/pre-verbal autistic children... and more if I can.How?Well, let me back up a tiny bit and tell you were I got the idea... It stemmed from my frustration with the system. I was using my blog as a rant... aka cheap therapy!! But as I typed those words, I started to get this idea... let's do a fundraiser to raise the funds for an iPad for Sahara.But, I am not a self-serving person......

Posted in autism, community, donations, Economy, iPad, Money Saving Tip, proactive health, self empowerment, speech therapy | No comments

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

Giving up 'The F Word'

Posted on 05:18 by tripal h

I swear, I admit it, and make no excuses.... I find it cathartic!!In fact, I bet if you were to read through my posts, you would find it slipping in on some of the entries... like this one.I vividly remember having an open conversation with the family priest when I was 26 about my love of the F word in my parents' kitchen.... that was interesting!! Sure glad My Mom didn't know what we were talking about in there!I also remember talking with this...

Posted in lent, self empowerment, Stress, The F word, tweens | No comments

Sunday, 6 March 2011

Sahara's Voice

Posted on 07:42 by tripal h

Dear Friends, My daughter, Sahara, is a pre-verbal six year old kindergartener… she has delays across the board developmentally and academically. Our family is still recovering from a 7 month unemployment situation caused by an agency wide down-sizing last year. As a result we, like many autism families, are unable to afford an iPad for Sahara. I am writing you to let you know how disheartened I am to learn that not all professionals see the obvious...

Posted in autism, donations, Education, Family Issues, holiday, iPad, language, picture communication, speech therapy | No comments

amjad 79