The power of moms

In celebration of Mother's Day, I thought I would take a moment to celebrate the power of moms of children with autism. I am in frequent admiration for mothers with whom I work. The determination, love, and confidence they so often bring to their children is downright inspiring. Here are just some of the wonderful things I see and hear from moms everyday:

They organize and schedule. Everything.
They comfort when their children and family members are sick.
They stay home or are the ones to be called home when a child is sick or so overwhelmed at school that they are hurting themselves or others.
They figure out how to respond when a child is upset, overwhelmed, or simply being obstinate... and they learn to truly know the difference.
They ensure healthy meals and take their children to appointments.
They research and provide the next dietary restrictions and modifications with often severely limited options (no dairy, no wheat, no oranges, no cinnamon, no, no, no, no).
They read to their children every night.
They bath, cloth, and cook meals... not to mention the clean up from each.
They yell, scream, lose it, and then apologize, regroup, and try again. and again. and again.
They drive and drive and drive to this appointment and that appointment.
They phone, email, schedule, coordinate, and videotape. all while ensuring everything above.
They connect with their children emotionally in the middle of chaotic moments even when they are feeling chaotic themselves.
...and they quietly, patiently, and beautifully celebrate others contributions to make everything work out in the end.