I asked for your stories about the first time your child said "I love you," and Mama Bear-NOS submitted a response yesterday that made me smile:
My youngest has a host of letters for diagnostic purposes. He has had a ST in his life since the NICU. So, it's no surprise that speech wasn't a strong suit for him. He learned a lot from repeating phrases and scripting. So, one night, completely out of the blue...he repeated "I wuv you" after I did while tucking him in for the night. I know it was just him repeating a phrase...but it is still just as precious. Who says echolalia is a bad thing?!?
Another Valentine-appropriate response this weekend came from reader Donald, who replied to my question about what to do when there's nothing to do with this:
Tell them how much they mean to you and do something that they want to do. Do it and tell them how much fun it was (even if it wasn't). That's true love.
For more ideas along those lines, read my list of 31 Ways to Tell Your Child "I Love You," and add your own. And speaking of love, why not show some to your favorite special-needs blogs, books, apps, and resources by nominating them for Readers' Choice Awards? There are only three days left in this phase of the awards, so give your favorites the support they need to make it to the finals. I'm particularly in need of guidance in the three book categories -- Favorite New Special-Needs Parenting Book, Favorite New Special-Needs Memoir, and Favorite New Special-Needs Children's Book -- to select the books you'd most like to see recognized. Add your support!
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