Yoga changed my life. Once I learned the breathing and the centering, I could rely on it anywhere in a multitude of situations. I'm teaching it to my 7 year old to combat anxiety caused by different meds she has to take.

Being told "you are strong" never made me feel stronger; it just reminded me that I "had" to be strong and there have been so many times when I wished I didn't have to be so darn strong, when I wished I could be weak and let someone else be "the strong one".

I really don't like the "you're so strong" comments. I've got 13 year old triplets who were all diagnosed with autism, and then one of them got cancer so I've heard it all their lives. I find that it creates a distance between me and the people who are saying it- almost as if my kids have autism because "I could handle it". That's crap- people are faced with challenges every day, and I "handle it" because they're my kids, and I love them, and they're wonderful and interesting people to spend my life with (most of the time!) Of course it's not always easy, but I know a lot of parents with single neurotypical children who face the same feelings and emotions that I do on a daily basis. I think that the "you're so strong" serves to create a difference in my life from theirs, and while I have no doubt that the comments are meant to be supportive, the fact is that I'm just a mom like everyone else, and anyone can be faced at any time with the challenges that our family faces- we didn't get this way because
"I'm strong"

Great writing- I look forward to reading your blog.