Autism

I’m not a supermom

I’m not a supermom but I get that a lot. Having a child with Autism does not make me one. Please let me be weak and let me cry, let me make mistakes, let my guard down, and let me just be a mom, a wife ,a woman, not a “super-someone”.

The day Vedant was diagnosed with Autism, life handed me a cape and said “now you fight and never stop doing so”. But there are days when I’m exhausted. I want to simply kneel down and wish that never again should a mom have to fight for what is rightly her child’s and hope that the world will be more sensitive to any child who has challenges.

For once, to the bus driver who snatched my son’s straw away, all I want to say is “please, be considerate. It’s my son’s sensory toy. It keeps him calm in a crowded bus full of noisy kids”. Some days I don’t want to cry out loud and ask her to go educate herself on Autism.

Instead of telling that teenager not to pity my son when I tell her that he has Autism, I wish the school and the society taught her better and told her that Autism has its strengths too. I am tired of explaining that Autism is not the end of the world, it’s just a different world. No, I’m not a supermom. I feel run-downed every now and then.

Sometimes all I hope is that the mom waiting in that lobby was more sensitive. My son simply wanted to be friendly with her little one and that is why he came so close. He did not hurt her or scare her.  Please don’t ask her if she is OK and implicitly teach her that my son’s attempt to get friendly could make her “not ok”. Let her learn to deal with a different kid. Let her learn to be accommodating. I don’t want to stand on a podium and explain to her the importance of inclusion.

There are days when I don’t want to put up a fight everytime someone shows me that the society is still not ready to co-exist with a child with Autism.

Occasionally, when things get overwhelming, I feel like quitting and walking away. I don’t want to feel guilty about that thought. I need that weakness in me. I want those cracks so that my pain can find a way out.

Some days, I feel jealous of moms that take their kids to soccer practice or a tuition class or swim lessons or a recital.

Once in a blue moon I too want to go to concerts, movies, and date nights; to attend parties, stay back late, and take a break from the hyper-vigilance that has taken over my life.

There are days when sifting through all the treatments that have failed, I lose hope and I want to suspend my optimism and cry. Just plain cry for fear of it never getting any better.

Once in awhile, I want to stop trying because it never seems to work no matter how much I try. Occasionally, I want to complain that it’s not fair– why me, why us, why him?

In a weak moment, I wonder if not having a physical deformity works for or against my son.

For a change, I want someone to have my back when I’m exhausted of holding my son’s.

Sometimes, it’s that weakness that is so powerful. The burden of being a supermom is too heavy to carry. I wish it were a world where you were not forced to be a fighter, a supermom, and a constant advocate if you had a son with Autism. If anyone is a warrior and has superpowers, it’s my son–not me. He is a super-kid.

 

tulikaprasad

I'm mom to a beautiful son who is on the Autism Spectrum. I love to share stories and experiences about our journey and learn from other families along the way. Autism has changed our family and our perspective and my mission is to be part of that change that will make the world a more inclusive place for special kids like my son.

View Comments

  • Excellent post once again..yes..I agree Ved is a super duper kid...and yes..I agree we as a society need to learn to coexist. .don't lose hope...look where you started and where you are now. .Ved is achieving new milestones and that's very commendable

    • Yes. I agree. Ved has come a long way and the journey so far was possible because of people like you who understand

  • Couldn't stop crying ....sometimes I feel God gave me autism kid to enable me to live atleast for him ...

    • You are correct Swathi. They give us strength to keep going. Please do subscribe or follow my FB page so that we can stay in touch and share our experience

  • Ved is a super kid and so r u a super mom, super doesn't mean we don't have ups and downs in life. It means we still try to fight and do our best. Whenever I read ur blog, it's overwhelming feeling of emotions.. And Ved is super luck to have mom like u :) love u and my cute little Ved :* :*

  • Thank you for your most recent article in the Autism Parenting Magazine. I most certainly can relate.

    • Thanks! Please do read my other posts too if and when you get the time and if you like what you read I would love it if you would subscribe to my blog.

  • This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

    • Thanks for reading my article and for sharing it too. I hope you'll continue to follow my posts :)

  • What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist different customers like its aided me. Good job.

    • Thanks for reading my articles. I'm glad they were of help! Please do subscribe to my blog if you like what you read.

  • This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

  • I wanted to put you this little bit of observation in order to give many thanks over again for all the pleasing views you've shared in this case. It is certainly tremendously open-handed with people like you to deliver unhampered all that a lot of people could possibly have sold for an electronic book to help make some cash on their own, most importantly given that you could have tried it if you desired. The ideas likewise worked like the great way to fully grasp that some people have the same passion just as my personal own to see somewhat more regarding this issue. I think there are some more pleasant situations in the future for individuals that look into your blog post.

  • I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot of excellent information, saved to bookmarks (:.

Recent Posts

When my son’s tears brought me joy

There are tears of joy and tears of pain and then there are tears of…

10 months ago

Love Letter from My Son’s Teacher

Autism parenting is difficult, really really difficult. While some days bring hope, others are spent…

1 year ago

Parenting with Purpose: Establishing a Self-Care Plan for Parents of Children with Special Needs

This is a guest blog from Emily Graham. Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty…

1 year ago

Why I will talk to my son more

Speech is not just a tool for communication, it is often a measure of intelligence,…

1 year ago

Scoring against Autism

My son is autistic. The severity of his challenges puts him in the category of…

2 years ago

A message about my son that changed the way I think

Ever since my son was diagnosed with Autism, I have been fortunate enough to have…

2 years ago