The restaurant wasn’t very busy when we walked in, and right away my kids ran over to look at the tank full of lobsters. We asked if you had a table available. You smiled and nodded, and gathered up a bunch of menus. Then you noticed my son Jack. He was standing a little away […]
I wanted to write you a note and apologize for my reaction yesterday. You know, when you asked if I could tell you a little bit about my son Jack? I’m sorry I couldn’t come up with a better answer. I guess I was taken aback a little. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a great question, […]
Listen, I know you’re unsure about it. You’re nervous. It’s understandable. But the thing, is a lot of people are doing it already. They love it. They can’t get enough. Every week, they go back for more. If you’re really lucky, your insurance will even pay for it. Come on, you know what I’m talking about, […]
You may not know this, but a couple of months ago I un-friended you on Facebook. I mean, we weren’t exactly friends in the regular sense. We never met for coffee or talked on the phone or texted each other. We don’t even live in the same state, and I haven’t seen you in over […]
I never wanted to be The Person. You know, The Person—the one in a marriage who handles all the kid stuff, like changing the diapers and checking the homework folder and buying shoes. (The Person is also known as the Default Parent, The Micromanager, or the Helicopter Mom.) I did pretty well for the first […]
It’s May now. The days are longer and warmer, and the air feels soft. Summer is so close, it’s as though we can reach out our fingers and touch it. Your backpacks are probably all worn out and have a bunch of stuff rolling around in the bottom—elastic bands and fidget spinners and old worksheets you forgot to […]
I know, I know. Every kid is different. Some are blonde, and others have dark, glossy hair. Some can hit a ball straight into left field and some like to eat pancakes and some create large, complicated cities in Minecraft. There are kids who spend entire afternoons quietly reading, and kids who run and jump […]
Lately I’ve been taking a few minutes after my son Jack has a meltdown to sit and talk with him. I want to know more about what it felt like, what set him off, and how maybe next time we can do things differently. Now that he’s thirteen, he can answer me a little better. […]
Dear Jack, Next week is your birthday. You are turning thirteen. Whenever I think about your birthday, my stomach kind of drops like I’ve been riding on a really big roller coaster. Don’t get me wrong. I love you. I love the day you were born. I am so glad you are my son. It’s […]
Last week, someone named Brian sent me the following message: Let’s say the medical community announced they have a cure for autism. It’s a 15-second shot in the arm. It has no side effects, and twenty minutes after your son receives it, poof! He would turn into a perfectly normal boy. Would you give him […]