Having a child with special needs means we can’t take anything for granted. We need to know that we have enough money to help him improve while providing for all of our basic needs. And with me being a stay at home mom we rely completely on my husband’s ability to work and provide for us. Years ago we made the decision to get good life insurance to cover not only my husband, but me, also. It was an easy, and obvious, choice to cover my hubby, seeing that he is currently our sole provider. I would never be able to cover the house payment and take care of the children while making sure Matthew’s recovery protocols were being followed without my husband. But as our family grew we realized that although I don’t contribute financially to the household budget, it would be very hard for my husband to fill in the gaps should I die. He would need to find some sort of extended daycare for the children because his schedule is often erratic. And with the amount of out-of-the-home therapies Matthew participates in, he could possibly need a nanny to make it all work.

Life insurance, and all it’s implications, isn’t something I wish to think about, especially with the amount of stress that comes with raising an autistic child. Knowing that financially our family would be stable and taken care of, in a time of need, helps to alleviate some of my fears. I know many of us have serious issues that we worry about daily, but I would urge all of us in the special needs community to take a serious look at getting life insurance. We need to be sure that our families will be provided for, that our children would have a future, and that our wishes that our children continue to recover would be funded.

I know many of us say it couldn’t happen to me, but really, we need to be more realistic and practical. I have friends that have lost one or both parents at a very young age, and because their parent had good coverage, they were able to attend college and remain in the family home. Go take a look at the different types of Life Insurance offered, and make an informed decision for yourself and your family. You may even want to use the Life Insurance Calculator to determine exactly how much insurance you need. Or if you are really unsure where to start try Life Insurance 101 to get a better handle on what you might need.

Genworth Financial sponsored this post. The story is mine.

Nico has heart

Today our middle son had his end of school party. They ate special snacks and sang special songs that they had prepared. We, as their parents, got to attend and watch our beautiful children participate with their amazing school staff. Nico is a typically developing peer-model in on of the special education Pre-K classes, and he has the best teacher and staff we could have ever hoped for. They truly have cared for and nurtured our children.

As the party was winding down his teacher set up a slideshow of our children, showing pictures taken throughout the school year. Since the class is very small, only 8 children, our little guy was in many of the photos. Nico had asked to sit up front with his classmates and he watched the show intently. When it was over he came over to me with tears pouring down his face. He told me that those were all the fun days he had at school and he was going to miss his friends so much. He was the only child crying and his teacher mentioned to me that she feels he is the only student in the class that truly understands what this transition is truly about.

I tried to comfort him, but he continued to cry. As he received his “diploma” he hugged his teacher and sat on her lap for the class picture. He only started to perk up when he received his “gift” from the staff, which was a bucket with some great summer-centric toys. Still, he asked to go home with my husband and I. One of the support staff pulled out his ABC book with some of his work throughout the school year and showed me one of his “self-portraits”. In it he has a stick figure with a smile on his face and a big heart on the chest. The staff member said that this picture says it all: Nico has a big heart.

Nico is one of the sweetest children; always ready to share whatever he has. We are so fortunate to have been blessed with such a caring and loving child. He is truly one of the best peer-models, not only for his classmates but for his brother also. We learn from him how to be patient and persistent, and especially how to be loving.  Congratulations on moving to Kindergarten, Nico! Mom and Dad are so proud.

5 Things I’d Love to Give My Husband This Father’s Day – Or what I really wish for him!

With Father’s Day fast approaching I was thinking of what I would really like to give my husband if only I could. These would be the best Father’s Day gifts ever.

1. A Good Nights Sleep – my husband never sleeps well, and with 3 little boys, one with autism, he hasn’t had a decent nights sleep in over 7 years. If I could I would give him the best nights sleep ever so he could really get some rest on Father’s Day.
2. Peace of Mind – Being a dad can be stressful, and being a good dad takes a lot of hard work. But being a good dad to a child with autism weighs on ones mind and requires strength one never knew they had. If only I could I would take all those worries away and erase the stress that comes with parenting a special needs child. The daily fears would be wiped away and the future would be bright, at least on Father’s Day.
3. A Trip to Vegas – He just likes Vegas. So I’d love to send him for a week. Simple as that. How about Father’s Day in Vegas!?
4. A Good Pillow – This ties in with #1, but my husband can’t find a decent pillow to save his life. Too thick, too thin; just not quite right. I’d love to find him the perfect pillow.
5. Time – Time to do what he wants or needs. Time to exercise daily. Time to play. Time to just be him.

These would be the perfect gifts for Father’s Day, if only I could give them. Instead I’ll probably get him some shirts. He needs them, but they really aren’t as exciting as Vegas!