The Things I Don’t Want To Share

My oldest son was diagnosed with autism five years ago this week.

Five years.

His diagnosis was the reason I began writing. I came home from that doctor’s appointment, shaky and afraid, determined to find out as much as I could about helping my son.

I went online, thinking it would be easy to find a mommy blog that would help. I wanted to read a mom’s perspective. I wanted to find someone who understood. I wanted to feel a little less alone.

It wasn’t easy. In fact, the more I searched, the more I defeated I felt.

I couldn’t find a single resource that was willing to share the really hard stuff, that resonated with me, that valued our children as fearfully and wonderfully made, and that offered practical advice and heart level encouragement.

Not The Former Things exists because of it.

The Things I Don't Want To Share - Not The Former Things Autism, ADHD, Homeschooling

Five years later, there are so many more wonderful autism resources available. There are so many more moms, willing to share the darkness that can creep in, the reality of the day-to-day, and most importantly, the hope and joy they see in, and experience because of, their extraordinary kiddos.

Five years later, we have added to our list of diagnoses and needs.

Sjogren’s Syndrome and Lupus

Dyslexia

Anxiety Disorder

Panic Disorder

ADHD

Bipolar Disorder

Five years later, I find I am just as committed to sharing all of it.

And yet, there are some things that cause me pause. There are some things that are more difficult to put out there in an internet world that is often desperate to judge. While I don’t think any of these will surprise you, five years later, I want to make sure I am being true to my initial intent – keeping it real, being transparent, and not hiding behind a glossy blog image and pretty Facebook feed.

The Things I Don't Want To Share - Not The Former Things Autism, ADHD, Homeschooling

The Things I Don’t Want To Share

My Marriage Sucks Sometimes

Five years into all of this, I find that it only gets harder for Mick and I to stay on each other’s team and to see each other as husband and wife instead of caregiver and respite care giver. As the list of diagnoses has increased, our time together has decreased and the demands of our household are exponentially greater. We are in this to win it, but honestly, our marriage has had to take some beatings.

I Fall Asleep On The Couch During The Day – A Lot

Call it exhaustion. Call it depression. Call it lack of planning. Whatever the reason, there are way too many afternoons spent with me sleeping on the couch, with a pillow over my head, while my kids zone out with a screen. I don’t like it, and I really hope that’s not the image they take into adulthood of their mother, but sometimes it’s the best I can do right now.

The Things I Don't Want To Share - Not The Former Things Autism, ADHD, Homeschooling

My Son Is Mentally Ill

I have shared this a few times, and it hurts every single time. Mental illness has such stigma surrounding every single aspect of living with it. The mental health system, psychiatric care, the medicines prescribed, and the odd behaviors that accompany my son’s brain function are all part of this stigma and make it very difficult to talk about. Not because of me, but because of my sweet boy. I believe, wholeheartedly, that my son’s bipolar diagnosis can and should be viewed in the same light as any other diagnosis. But I worry about the stigma he may face now, and in the future if I share too much.

The truth is, we have to talk more about this. Mental health is in such a deplorable state because we keep it a secret. But balancing my desire to change this in any way I can with respecting my son’s future privacy is an ongoing struggle.

The Things I Don't Want To Share - Not The Former Things Autism, ADHD, Homeschooling

I’m Doing OK

My life looks nothing like I thought it would, or sometimes like I think it should.

Despite this, I really am doing OK. Some days are harder than others, but by God’s grace, I actually like my life. I like my family. I like being with them most days. I like teaching them. I like being their person.

Sharing the good is sometimes difficult because I know some of you are not OK. Some of you can barely breathe and have no idea how to make it through the next hour. Some of you feel anger that never fades and fear that will not loosen its grip. I never, ever want you to feel bad about that. I never, ever want you to feel like you are alone in that – because you are not. Just as real as my feeling OK with things right now is the fact that I went into my bedroom a few days ago, got under my covers and sobbed.

The Things I Don't Want To Share - Not The Former Things Autism, ADHD, Homeschooling

The hardest thing for me to talk about is exactly this.  I want to communicate well. I want you to understand my heart. I want you to know that the longer I do this, the more I realize that sometimes “OK” looks a lot like “Not OK” and vice versa.

Life is a wonderful, devastating mix of the two – the good and the bad, the messy and the beautiful, the broken and the hopeful.

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20 Comments

  1. Love your heart.

  2. Ditto what Rebecca said.

    I only found you recently, but your heart has drawn me in.

    1. I am so glad you are here! Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to comment.

  3. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THIS!!!! And love you and your willingness to share the downright honest truth! Hugs!!

    1. Thanks Melody. You make me smile every time.

  4. Thank you for sharing even when you don’t want to share. It helps.
    (See typo in one of the photos: “Not the Fomer Things”)

  5. Thank you for sharing everything while protecting your sons’ privacy.
    I am fortunate that in addition to your encouragement I also have a community of special needs mums that I can share the “real” stuff with.
    You are helping me a lot with your blog and book, just letting you know

    1. Rachael – I am so glad to hear you have found a community! Life is just better with others alongside you.

  6. Yes to the marriage stuff. Yes to the falling asleep on the couch all the time. Yes to it all. I cancelled my son’s occupational therapy for a few months so I could hire an amazing carer for a few hours babysitting so my husband and I could go on a couple of dates. I felt guilty but I am going to do it again later in the year. Yes, my son benefits from the OT but he benefits soooo much more from a connected, rested family. Thank you for sharing the hard stuff.

    1. So well said, Andrea! It sounds like you made exactly the right choice with OT. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing.

  7. i have aspergers

    my blog http;//mark-kent.webs.com

    itake part in a lot research

    1. Thank you for sharing, Mark! I’m glad you’re here.

  8. I find your posts refreshing. You are honest and respectful, and much of what you write I can relate to. I’m there with you on the mental illness. And the falling asleep. It’s exhausting…all of it. Keep writing. We’re reading..

    1. You made my day with your kind words and encouragement, Lisa. Thank you so much!

  9. Denie Sidney says:

    Your blog and testimony keep me hanging on and encourage me not to give up. I love my family and I love God, but there are days I think I just CAN’T do this anymore. Then I read one of your posts, know that I’m not the only one struggling and if there is hope for you, just maybe there is a brighter day for me too. Thank you for letting the love of Jesus shine in your life.

    1. Thank you for your kind and beautiful words.
      Love,
      Shawna

  10. Thank you for this incredibly honest post. This blog has been a God-sent encouragement and hope when we received our kid’s ASD diagnosis. It showed me that I could plough through, advocate for my kid – and that it would be messy but worth it. And yes, our marriage has taken a few hits too – but we’re in it to win it, just like you guys. Thank for you writing and keeping at it. Praying for you. Wanted you to know, you are making a BIG impact for His Kingdom:)

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