I don't know if its me or if other people feel this way-but I am really starting to dislike this time of year. I used to love Christmas & the feeling behind it, but as of the last couple years it just feels like its all about the gifts & spend-spend-spend. If you don't spend, then you are crap! I mean Halloween isn't even over yet and the stores are putting up Christmas decorations and playing Christmas Music. By the time the holiday gets here-it has lost it's luster.
Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?
I don't know maybe its because Nolan doesn't get anything out of opening presents or any of the holiday spirit. It bothers me--I know Nolan is who he is and he is getting what he gets out of the season, but it is still frustrating/upseting to a parent--because the joy on the kids faces is a huge part of it & we are missing that with Nolan.
I also feel that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost. Society has made it all about money/gifts & take/take/take. It is so hard to teach your children different when the world is the way it is. I really want to go back to church & teach my children the true meaning, but I'm worried about taking Nolan to church & I am not leaving him a sitter every sunday. Let me say, we have been told to come to church and then when we do, we were not made to feel welcome. All this was before Nolan was diganosed. My worry now is he is to old to go into the daycare @ church-but can't go into sunday school without assistance. He certainly can't sit in a pew for an hour---We are going to talk to a church pastor after the first of the year and explain our situation--maybe that will help. Maybe they would be willing to come out to our house instead??
Has anyone else had this situation? If so, what did you do about it? I would appreciate of any suggestions.
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We had a very rough time when our son was in preschool. Our church at that time didn't really know what to do, and I spent most Sundays with him in the preschool class instead of in church - it was a frustrating time for me.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago, we got a new children's pastor, who has spearheaded a special needs ministry for the kids. We now have a special needs room open one service a week, plus she works with the teachers who have special needs children in the regular classes to understand how to work with them.
It's not perfect, but it makes a world of difference to have people who are trying. I would definitely ask to have a meeting with the pastor sometime during the week, either at their office during non-church service hours or at your home.
Our church has kids church during the regular service, so we don't have to worry about having him sit in the service with us. If you have to do that, you could try to find a helper (teenager or older) to sit with you and take him out to play in the lobby as needed.
Here's a post I wrote for 5 Minutes for Special Needs about Special Needs Ministry Resources. If you search that site for special needs ministry, you may find other articles as well.
Last thought is - do you have behavioral health services where you live? If so, you could tell the agency that you need the person they assign to be able to come to church with you.
I am with you on all of this. Our little fella is 26 months old and I was able to ignore his lack of understanding of Christmas this year because most children that age wouldn't get it anyway, not fully. Next year I will feel that pain though. As for Church, I don't bring him, I can't. My eldest has a big ceremony later this year and we will have to arrange a sitter. The King would be welcome (I hope) but it would be too much for him. Lovely blog Lori, you are an old hand already:) Jen
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. That's nice that you feel I'm already a pro @ blogging. It is easier than I thought it would be. Now the biggest hurdle is finding the time to get on the computer--cause it never fails that as soon as I get on I hear-"Mom I will get to play right?"
Trish,
ReplyDeleteI will take a look at the link you sent me. We do have behavior health services here, but trying to get someone to the house is extremely hard. We also have PCA services here, & we are hard trying to find someone-I will keep that in mind when I interview people for the position. It certainly would help.