Kids and Technology

When I was younger I owned a newspaper route (the NY Daily News). My route consisted of delivering 50 papers each morning. The papers had to be delivered - whether snow, sleet, rain, or sickness.

A pain point for me was collecting the money. I wonder why. I guess as a 13 year old kid, collecting cash from adults was intimidating. My pay consisted of taking home a percentage of each paper and receiving customer tips.

This had me thinking of how kids who deliver newspapers receive payment in modern times.
Payment today is mostly made online or via credit card.
In fact, I have not met the delivery person who delivers my NY Times each morning.

I believe the advances today are all due to technology. My children love the computer. They love computer games. My daughter loves Webkinz. Have you heard of Webkinz? Be afraid, be very afraid. My kids are skilled at using a computer. It is truly amazing the infiltration of technology into our children's lives. What are the positives you see with children using technology so early?

I love this stuff.....but honestly, I don't mind waiting a long time until they learn about credit cards!

Back To School

Start of a school year = more milestones. I read a blog post about enjoying life's moments. Today marks the start of 1st Grade for David. A milestone that I yearned for 5 years. I could not picture this achievement when I was told David was on the autism spectrum (about 5 years ago). I pray every day for him to have a joyful and safe day.

Jaclyn also starts 2nd Grade. I pray that she continues to be a wonderful family leader and wonderful participant in school. Her school year start is delayed as she is a bit under the weather.

JP starts preschool in a couple of weeks.

New year. New adventures. New challenges. What will tomorrow bring?

Making Childhood Memories

I had a wonderful vacation week with my family. We relaxed at the beach for 4 days. The week wraps up with the premiere of the TV movie - Disney's High School Musical 2.

Our memories this week included:
1. Four days in the Atlantic Ocean waves
2. JP finding and holding Sand Crabs
3. Ice Cream and Karoake
4. Italian & Seafood Dinners (Happy Birthday Poppy!)
5. Delicious Donuts
6. Carnival on the Ocean City Boardwalk
7. Reuniting with old friends
8. Boogie Boarding
9. Making memories with Nana, Poppy, Aunts & Uncle Mike
10. Boothe Library 75th Anniversary Party (upon our return to Newtown)

My Son, My Relationship

It always comes in bunches - many things happen all at once that talk or deal with Autism. I am reading a book (previous post), see talk shows and read special reports on autism.

For me, it's personal. I can only comprehend my own relationship with my son. I am trying and I believe he is too. It is frustrating and I believe he becomes frustrated too. I look to the world around me for help. Help comes in many forms. I look to others for how to interact with my son. Little ideas or knowledge from others who are on this road.

Watch this Video when your time allows. A line from this video hit home to me "1 in 94 boys is on the Autism Spectrum". This is my relationship with David! This is our relationship with our sons!

Book I am Reading

I am reading "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time". This is a novel narrated by a boy on the autism spectrum. I am not finished yet - but I am torn. In one way, I am thoroughly enjoying the book. In another way, I see a lot of David in the narrator (Christopher John Francis Boone) & it hits home.

Not only do I see David in the book, but I see myself in the main character's father. I love my son. I have true compassion & patience for my son. I relate to my son. But there are often times that I can not relate to David & his world & that hurts. It hurts in a way that I can not explain to anyone.

I will let you know the results when I finish this book - stay tuned.

Unashamed Promotion: This book was a gift from my father in law, Andres Torres, who is an author in his own right (see Amazon.com)