Tuesday November 24, 2009
My daughter's favorite radio station is already playing Christmas music 24/7. The weekend newspaper is heavy with gift ads. The first Christmas cards of the season are no doubt on their way to my mailbox, destined to make me feel both merry and guilty. The holiday season seems to be starting earlier and earlier, with Thanksgiving just a speed bump in the way, and there's nothing to do but embrace it. Why not get in a gift-giving mood by sharing present inspirations here on About.com Parenting Special Needs? I've got three Readers Respond pages waiting for your ideas on:
Gifts for Teachers and Other Important School People
The Best Gift Your Child Ever Received
The Worst Gift Your Child Ever Received
and in the Parenting Special Needs Forum, there's a topic already open on where you're finding gifts this year. One place to find some good shopping sites is my Holiday Survival Guide, the first page of which is devoted to special-needs gift-giving.
Then again, if the thought of impending holidays just stresses you out, give yourself the gift of humor with Special-Needs Christmas Carols. "Hark, the Relatives Complain" should put you in the right frame of mind for this Thursday.
Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Read: "When you introduce a child who has differences, what you also do is ask people to step outside their comfort zone. And there's also the need to allow people time to get over the 'fear factor.'" And I think you can only get over the 'fear factor' by a little public education and by simply being there." -- "Mother of Alex: 7 Years," one of the parents of children with autism interviewed by Francesca Bierens in A Spectrum of Light, this week's featured book.
Reflect: Is my child "being there" in the community? Do people get a chance to know my child and overcome the "fear factor"? What could I start doing right now to start educating the public?
Respond in the comments with your own thoughts on this quote and how it applies to your life with your child.
Every weekday, take a moment to read, reflect, and respond to a passage from a book, blog, or article. ... More Reflections
Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Unless you're a master chef, your Thanksgiving recipes are probably the most basic, simple, time-tested dishes you make all year. That makes them good for including your child in the kitchen action. One fun year at our house, when my son was fixated on Emeril and all things Food Network, I made him the Official Thanksgiving Chef. I printed out large-font simplified version of my standard recipes, put a Bam! apron on him, and acted as sous chef for all the hot sharp tricky parts. Read more of my tips for making a Thanksgiving tradition out of cooking together, and then share your own holiday traditions.
More Parenting Tips: Tips of the Day | Holiday Help | Parenting Book Reviews
Image by Terri Mauro
Tuesday November 24, 2009
What It Is: "Is this your first gluten-free holiday season, or are you an experienced cook looking for new gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes? ... Choose from among these recipes for making gluten-free versions of traditional holiday foods, from About.com's talented and creative Food Guides."
Who's Behind It: Nancy Lapid, About.com's guide to Celiac Disease, gathered links to the recipes to make a handy holiday reference.
Why It's Worth Checking Out: Whether you're putting together an entire menu that includes your gluten-avoiding child, or just looking for something to bring to a family gathering so your child will have something safe to dine on, you'll find some good ideas and good eats.
More Sites of the Day
+ Page of the Day: More Gluten-Free Recipes +
