Recently on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast

While the Parenting Roundabout Podcast is not about parenting special needs specifically, that's the only viewpoint I have on parenting, so the topic comes up. Here are some recent discussions to which I brought a special needs parenting angle.

• Perks of Parenthood: I found some perks from having a constantly active kid who needs unrelenting attention. There are some!
• The Runaway Volunteer Train: My kids' disabilities kept me off it for a while, but once I jumped on, I jumped on hard.
• Apple Watch This!: When we tried to think of Apple Watch apps that would help with our parenting, my mind immediately went to a special-ed situation.
• Grow Up! No, Don't!: My son's decision to try to start driving at age 26 inspired this topic.
• Classroom Design: I had some design don'ts to share.
• The One They Tell Everything To: Speaking of my son's driving plans, for a long time he shared them only with me, and never his dad. What's up with that?
• Managing Stress and Worry: Gee, how could this apply to our lives?

Listen to these episodes and subscribe to get all our episodes right in your podcast player of choice.

Tweeting the Nourished Festival

On October 5, I attended the Nourished Festival in Secaucus, New Jersey, featuring gluten-free foods, some of which were also nut-free, paleo, keto, or plant-based. Here's what I saw and tasted.

Terri’s at the #NourishedFestival in Secaucus NJ today. Follow along as she shares what she sees and snacks on. pic.twitter.com/s09ok5z8ya

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Tried a delicious seed bar from ⁦@88acresfoods⁩ at #NourishedFestival. They also have some tasty-looking seed butters. pic.twitter.com/CbEMuOkWp0

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

We bloggers at #NourishedFestival are sponsored this year by ⁦@swervesweetie⁩, a natural sweetener that’s ketogenic, diabetes friendly, calorie-free, gluten free. Sweet! pic.twitter.com/vAg22w6Xj2

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

#NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/s62SeIurHo

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

⁦⁦@BakeryOnMain⁩ has your gluten-free granola. I tried and enjoyed the Cranberry Almond Maple. Yum. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/9wRkdifChz

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Organic French pudding from @PetitPot. I tried the vanilla. :) #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/oO5i2uQJU4

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Stopped by the Simply Gluten Free booth at #NourishedFestival and was happy to see that magazines are still a thing! pic.twitter.com/9iOhNWH9Kx

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Tried the beet juice at The Vitamin Shop booth at #NourishedFestival. It was ... beet-y! pic.twitter.com/OdukEejV9O

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Had a good (if petite) piece of pizza from Against the Grain at #NourishedFestival. They also make baking mixes now. pic.twitter.com/KHjrN3bPKI

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Always my favorite place to visit at #NourishedFestival: the @mozaicschips @handfullssnacks @ByDeliciousness booth. Love love love their crunchy gluten-free snacks. pic.twitter.com/Extjztt0TM

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Also from ⁦@ByDeliciousness⁩, organic sesame milk! I hear chocolate’s the most popular. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/jesJuA24Fp

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Gluten-free cheese bread and empanadas? Yes please, @BraziBites! #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/xwLguncequ

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

The ⁦@hensfreerange⁩ booth had egg salad with chicken or duck eggs. And the variety didn’t stop there. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/WEzkvfM9Xc

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Tried dark chocolate covered chickpeas at the ⁦@lebbysnacks⁩ booth at #NourishedFestival. Tasted like dark chocolate! pic.twitter.com/x0mdkNzTeQ

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Enjoyed some not-too-sour, not-too-sweet yogurt from ⁦@wundercreamery⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/WC7nEyeAUI

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Simple, clean snacks from ⁦@BuckWHATfoods⁩. I liked the sunflower ones. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/Xeoli8j8Uz

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

At #NourishedFestival, I met Skylar, who’s making and selling bracelets to help fund a cure for #celiacdisease. Find out more about her and her work at https://t.co/6qep3zVgvc… #celiacawareness #helpfindacure pic.twitter.com/ADy9d5cWFX

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

For nut-free snacks, these were particularly nutty-tasting. ⁦@NutlessClusters⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/zxdN5Zy4Pd

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Love corn? ⁦@lovecorn_snacks⁩ may be for you. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/TCeKOIu6iu

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Like peanut Cheetos. ⁦@pnuffcrunch⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/FBYCfJMt8W

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Drinks as well as food at #NourishedFestival ⁦@lifeway_kefir⁩ pic.twitter.com/7UPhZfq2DC

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Gluten-free ramen from ⁦@yamachanramen1⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/chlo4mIYbb

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Harissa rice from ⁦@lundbergfarms⁩ was really tasty, with a kick. Some good-looking rice cakes there too. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/ZcJug1reh7

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Sadly, no chocolate-covered graham crackers at the ⁦@SCHARglutenfree⁩ booth this year. Some other good gluten-free baked goods though. #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/UdBvKAvV6K

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Ooh, gluten-free everything bagel puffs filled with cream cheese from ⁦@geefreefoods⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/RHQkFynD5q

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Paleo Bites from ⁦@AMRITAbars⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/OGIjHbYNDk

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Lactose-free cheese, please. ⁦@cabotcheese⁩ #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/RjJhDQOa9J

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Paging Leslie Knope! Waffles at the ⁦@BosquetGourmet⁩ booth at #NourishedFestival pic.twitter.com/AMIuZqlr8i

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Nice crispy gluten-free crackers from ⁦@MiltonsBaking⁩ at the #NourishedFestival. I tried the olive oil and sea salt pic.twitter.com/tkv0CeE829

— Parenting Roundabout (@RoundAboutChat) October 5, 2019

Going Snacking at ... Um, Reporting from the Nourished Festival

For the past couple of years, I've enjoyed going to the GFAF Expo, trying out a lot of cool foods, taking photos of the stuff I snack on, and sharing them on Twitter. (Like I did last year.) I'll be going again October 5-6, but this time the name has been changed to the Nourished Festival, and in addition to gluten-free and nut-free goodies, there'll be zones for paleo, keto, and plant-based foods. (Though actually, everything's gluten-free.)

If you live someplace where you can get to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, and would like to check out the festival, comment here and I may be able to get you a pass or a discount. Otherwise, check @roundaboutchat on Twitter October 5-6 for my dispatches.

Can You Help? Parent Seeks GED Advice

A member of the Parenting Young Adults with Special Needs in the Work World Facebook group is asking for help with an important pre-work step: getting a high school diploma or equivalent:

I am looking to investigate education options for my son. He dropped out of Grade 10 - it was serious enough that the team meeting members decided they shouldn't push to get him back into the system even though by law he'd needed to be there for another half year. I think we all knew he wouldn't make it if we tried to force that.

There are two options I'm aware of right now - to continue his education, through adult learning or online courses, or to get his G.E.D. No matter what I choose, though, I'm anticipating a few false starts (school REALLY didn't work well for him).

Has anyone else travelled along this route? Is there someone I could talk to who might be able to facilitate our efforts?

Do you have some insight to share? Come join the group to share knowledge on this and other work-related topics, or comment on this post.

Adoption and Special Needs on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast

Have you been listening to me blather on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast? I'm having fun every weekday chatting with my cohosts Catherine Holecko and Nicole Eredics on all things parenting and being a parent—subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app of choice to get every ep—they're usually under 15 minutes, so we won't take up much of your day.

The following recent episodes might be good to start with for readers of this blog, since I specifically talked about adoption or special-needs-related experiences:

• Saying Too Much (7/1/19): We talked about those times when you give out information about your kids in conversation that is really nobody's business, just because your brain doesn't through up the stop sign until after your mouth has stopped moving. Been there, cringing at having done that.

• Four Things That Define Us (6/26/19): A bag with four things we want people to know? I'd have loved that for IEP meetings.

• Roundabout Roundup: (6/21/19): I talked about our experience at the NJ Special Olympics as part of our weekly picks episode.

• Ambiguous Kid-Speak (6/19/19): Most kids say "fine" in a way that could mean anything, but when you have a kid with FASD, ambiguous speech jumps to a whole new level.

• Roundabout Roundup (6/7/19): My pick for the week is a web series about accessible architecture.

Listen in!

Let's Talk About Our Kids and Their (Lack of) Jobs on Facebook

Following up on the survey I posted a while back on what parents want to know about helping kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs, I've taken another step forward with a Facebook group for chatting about that very topic: Parenting Young Adults with Special Needs in the Work World. It's set to private right now, so come knock on the door and tell me who you are and I'll let you in. (Meanwhile, if you never did fill out that survey, you still totally can.)

Advice for Parents on Jobs for Kids

No, I don’t have that advice right at the moment, sorry. I’m struggling along with getting good employment for my adult kids just like you are. Right now we’re ... sort of fine. They both have jobs they like, though they don’t have full-time work or even as much work as they could handle, if you ask me. The parent part of me is trying to be content with the fact that they’re content and usefully engaged at least half the week or so. The advocate part of me wants to kick down doors and take names like nobody’s business.

Since experience has showed me that the advocate part is not as effective in work situations as it was in school situations (and *%&$*#, maybe it didn’t make as many great moves in school situations as I thought the time, or so I reflect endlessly at night when I can’t sleep but only second-guess), I’m considering channeling some of that righteous energy into a resource to help parents of kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities (or similar issues) who’ve been forced into the role of untrained, unskilled, untalented employment counselors.

To start brainstorming this idea, I’ve put together a little survey on what parents might find useful in such a resource. If you could take a few minutes and fill it out, I’d appreciate it. It’d also be great if you could share it on social media; send people here or directly to the form at https://forms.gle/8WuzPFsEgihn6Xrx6. Thanks for your help?

Encouraging Words, Week 9

Every day or so this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Know What You're Doing.

Friday



What's on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast this week.

Encouraging Words, Week 8

Every day this week (some days? most days? I'm trying, y'all), I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Have Superpowers

Tuesday



Today's book excerpt is from one of my books, The Everything Parent's Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder

Wednesday



What's worrying you today?

Thursday



This week's website: Inclusion from Square One

Friday



What we're talking about this week on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast

Saturday



Today's tip: Reading is a whatever-works situation.

Encouraging Words, Week 7

Most days this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Have a Mission

Tuesday



This week's excerpt is from Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.

Wednesday



What's your worry today?

Thursday



Today's pick: Wrighslaw.

Encouraging Words, Week 6

Every day this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Try Hard.

Wednesday



What are you worried about today?

Thursday



This week's site: Fun and Function

Friday



This week on the Parenting Roundabout Podcast.

Sunday



Happy Easter!

Encouraging Words: Week 5

Every day this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Deserve Respect.

Tuesday



Today's book excerpt is from 50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education by ... me!

Wednesday



My worry for the week: patience vs. pro-activeness. What's yours?

Thursday



This week's featured website: The Inspired Treehouse.

Friday



Check out more of my blabbing at the Parenting Roundabout Podcast.

Saturday



Give yourself a time-out.

Sunday



Join me in praying for patience. Right now!

Encouraging Words, Week 4

Every day this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Make a Difference.

Tuesday



Today's book excerpt is from Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs by Bruce L. Baker and Alan J. Brightman.

Wednesday



I'm worrying about pushing too hard this week. And also, not pushing hard enough.

Thursday



Today's featured site: The Center for Parent Information and Resources.

Friday



What's on Parenting Roundabout this week.

Saturday



Using your kids' TV watching for good.

Sunday



Today, I'm prayer for perspective. Something I could use a little more of right now.

Encouraging Words, Week 3

Every day this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Are a Good Parent

Tuesday



Tuesday is book-excerpt day, and today's is from Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.

Wednesday



Wednesday is Worry Dump day. What's eating you?

Thursday



This week's website recommendation: Special Needs Book Review.

Friday



On Fridays, I talk about another place I talk: Parenting Roundabout.

Saturday



On Saturdays, I offer a quick tip for more efficient worrying. Mentioned: Trello.

Sunday



On Sundays, I offer a quick prayer for our week ahead.

Encouraging Words, Week 2

Every day this week, I'll be sharing a few encouraging words for parents of kids with special needs on SoundCloud and Riffr. I'll collect them here in this post for easier listening, and you can also find them on the bottom of my homepage at terrimauro.com.

Monday



Today's Love Note: You Are an Expert

Tuesday



Today's book excerpt is from Transforming the Difficult Child. (I read from this version, but there's a new edition that looks cheaper and more available.)

Wednesday



Wednesday is Worry Dump day. Come tell me your troubles, kind of.

Thursday



Today's website pick: my very own Mothers with Attitude.

Friday



You made it to Friday! Take a break and listen to the Parenting Roundabout episodes I'm talking about here.

Saturday



A little parenting tip for your weekend. (Mentioned: The Child with Special Needs by Dr. Stanley Greenspan)

Sunday



Join me in a prayer for the week ahead.

Encouraging Words, Week 1

As mentioned in the previous post, I'm going to be experimenting with recording little audio words of encouragement for parents of kids with special needs every morning. They'll be available on riffr.com, a new audio platform, but since they don't seem to be 100% ready for prime time yet, I'm also going to be sharing these on SoundCloud (from Tuesday of this week until further notice). Every week, I'll start and update a post with that week's audio.

Week of March 11, 2019

Monday: "You Are Strong" from my Love Note for Special Parents. Listen on riffr.com.

Tuesday: Quote from The Challenging Child by Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., one of my absolute go-to parenting books back in the day.



Wednesday: Wednesday is Worry Day.



Thursday: Website recommendation. This week's pick is The Inclusive Class.



Friday: This week on Parenting Roundabout



Saturday: Quick parenting tip



Sunday: Prayer for the coming week

Words of Encouragement on Riffr

I'm trying out something new—leaving some words of encouragement every morning on a short-audio social-media platform called Riffr. You can check out my page at https://riffr.com/profiles/Terri-Mauro-430. Right now, here's what I'm planning to offer each day:

• Monday: One of my Love Note for Special Parents (listen to the one I put up today).
• Tuesday: A short excerpt from a book I've found valuable
• Wednesday: What I'm worrying about this week, with space for you to share your worries
• Thursday: A website or web article recommendation.
• Friday: A quote from this week's Parenting Roundabout episodes.
• Saturday: A quick parenting tip.
• Sunday: A prayer, for those who value that, in whatever way you want to join in.

All this is heavily subject to change, but it's my initial road map. Listen and tell me what you think (and what you'd like to hear).