Just Teggie Podcast

After a couple of mini-vacations in July and August. I’m want to give you my 1st weeks input on what I thought about remote schooling.

With COVID on the horizon, our school year is uncertain, filled with questions that will not be answered at this time. How much confidence do you have in your school system?

Have you ever judged a mother's parenting skills ?

Summer is here, time to relax and vaca! However, in the midst of uncertainties in regards to remote learning, what should parents do to keep our children on the right track? Guess Speaker Ms.Mel will give us some tools for the summer.

As the school year comes to an end, I think it's important to reflect on what we have learned about our children and ourselves during remote learning. One thing I've learned for sure is teachers are human too, we forget about their daily hardships, oftentimes we expect so much from them. Becoming a professional teacher/mommy has open my eyes to what teachers endure daily.

Here’s why: 1-Children with behavioral issues have a difficult time focusing on a daily task, therefore parents need daily support. It's not mandated that teachers provide (live interactions) in NYC, except for therapy sessions. 2-1 in 10 adults and children experience Mental Health challenges serious enough to affect functioning in work, family, and school life. This Quarantine will affect parents trying to manage their own personal needs alone with the needs of their youngsters. 3-Environmental stress Small apartments (limited space), noisy neighbors (loud music), and uncertainties such as food, shelter, finance. Parents need support during this unpredictable time. Don't assume all is well because no one is complaining. Check-in!

Remote learning will continue until the end of the school year. Things you need to know: 1- Your children's emotional state is more important than any assignment. 2- Do what you can, he/she needs you to be mom 1st 3- frustration will happen, stop and start again or not 4- Don't forget to smile and hug the Lil one, you need it more 5- this time will pass.

Remote learning is our new normal. Unfortunately, electronics may not be my primary choice, when it comes to learning. Striving to estimate healthy exposure on the iPad, can be very challenging. There are so many distractions, just a click away. Not to mention, therapy sessions via video chat. It's a lot for me, I'm sure it's a lot for the children. Kudos to our teachers! We really miss you!

Whenever I record my podcast, my Lil one is always near. Listening and watching, occasionally interrupting. So when he asked if he could share, Instantly I was intrigued and handed him the device to record. I wasn't expecting what I heard. I'm going to share my proud mommy moment. Enjoy!

Sometimes changing your tone or raising your voice, can be helpful with assisting your children with their attitude adjustment. Not all the time, but there's nothing wrong with a ”good old shake-up”. Trust me I know.. However, the energy to stand firm and steady is the hardest part.

What works for one, doesn't work for all and that's ok! However, it's the non-professionals who are very vocal about ”Autism” and have no idea of what a roller coaster this ride truly is. Let's just say, I had a moment...

Change is inevitable in life. The question is? Will you change with it? Have you ever had an bad impression of someone and your thoughts we're accurate until you had a private heartfelt conversation and realized you're similar in many ways? Well.. Mindset is everything and how you perceive life will ultimately become true. So start by breaking negative thought patterns. Changes will happen.

I think of vacation...as a family excursion, exploring planet earth, with unlimited wine and bathing in the sunset. Until I decide to leave my family at home and live a little. After booking my flight, immediately mommy remorse sets in and my anxiety sends me straight into panic mood. The ”what if” scenarios. God forbid he leaves his water bottle at home and water suddenly evaporates from NYC and the stores sell out before his father could make it to the grocery store. Yea.. that's me! How do you deal?

It's important to utilize the wealth of information coming from professionals. Building a relationship with your children's therapist will only strengthen your knowledge of your children's educational needs.

Homework makes me drowsy. Nowadays homework begins at Kindergarten and if you're lucky enough. 4 pages a day, 1 book to read and 5 sights words to study weekly, it happens to be much fun. Yes, I'm complaining! Homework is another job and It provokes me into pure exhaustion every night trying to help my son with one eye open. Honestly, I'm beginning to ”hate” homework. Gosh.. Give us a break already!

Can students with disabilities participate in gifted and talented programs in NYC? The answer is Yes!! Children with an IEP, IESP, and 504 are eligible. Who knew!

Reflecting on 2019. I'm so very proud of myself! I started my podcast to share my perspective and hardship of parenting with a child on the autism spectrum. Vulnerability and transparency on social media gave me great fear of judgment but my voice needed to be heeded. Perhaps someone desired hope and strength to continue on through his/her despair and anxieties. I was her. I shed my tears of pain and pushed through my fears every Monday. The more I spoke..the louder my voice became and the stronger I grew with the amazement of oneself. I spoke up...for so many of us. 2019- thank you for challenging me. To my dear son, thank you for choosing me.

Finding balance in life. Men vs Women Life is extremely difficult to balance. Women bare the burden of working, mothering, household duties, and trying to practice self-care during the week. Oftentimes, last week’s agenda overflows into the following weeks and nothing seems to be fully executed. The stress of never accomplishing anything fully can become a dwelling place for depression or rather a lack of self-worth. Watching visuals on social media of the perfect wife can trigger emotional worries of never adding up in this lifetime. So whenever I hear a man complain about baring the weight of fatherhood when the mother is unable to. I wonder? Do men balance life the way we do? If so, tell me about your balancing act and what that means to you. I want a new perspective because sometimes I would rather trade my month of stress with my husband anytime. Sound off, Men! I'm curious?

How do you, self-care? I Don't do well with self-care because I have so much to accomplish in a small amount of time. If I choose me, maybe someone/something more important should have been done during this time of relaxation. Or perhaps relaxing has postponed an opportunity, that will never come again. My kid, husband, dog and hamster needs me more than I need myself at times. My job, activism, PTA is more important because I'm making a difference. But what about me? What is a mother to do, when life is happening? How do you, self-care?

Often times, it's the people who are closest to you, that will harm you extensively. Please note, that simply because we are friends doesn't prohibit or excuse your brutal opinion of others. When you talk about mothers, well... you're talking about me too. We are all in the same boat. Trying to elevate ourselves and parent the best way we know-how. Your experience with children is commendable and we appreciate all you do for our babies. Unfortunately, working with children for 4-6 hours a day doesn't make you an expert but a human being that I'm truly grateful for. What you see is a small insight into our daily lives with a child on the autism spectrum. Please understand that all your hard work and dedication will be overshadowed by your harsh assumption of others. When you know better, you do better.

Sharing your stories of parenting can be an amazing instrument to encourage parents to accomplish the impossible. To know other parents may have the same problems or difficulties can be comforting. So share!! Always share.

None of us are perfect parents, we have to grow and develop parenting techniques to manage our beautiful children. Have you prejudged a situation? Have someone judged your parenting? How did it affect your ability to parent? When you know better, you do better!

Not all doctors are created equal. We have to choose wisely when finding pediatric care for our children. Although many doctors are aware and have many years of experience, Autism is an evolving diagnosis that needs special attention and care. Mother's do yourself a favor and find a developmental pediatrician. When you know better, you do better.

It's the little things we forget along the way. Caught up in our daily routine of life and uncertainty of parenting. However, it's imperative to praise ourselves in the process. That milestone accomplishment should be celebrated by the entire family. Because of you, your child is succeeding.

Often times, I'm reminded of how intellectual my son is. Maybe it's a compliment? Or an imputation that people with Autism are not as articulate as others. Either way, I take offense. Please understand it takes time for parents to process the diagnosis, we go through the denial stage and to be able to speak the word Autism out loud is a freaking reward. So thank you but I'm a mother with a very intelligent boy who happens to be artistic.

Enough of the nonsense... Of course, I'm aware that my kid is a selective eater. I spend a lot of time and effort trying to figure out how to introduce new foods. It's challenging and stressful at times. We are learning together and I'm perfectly ok with that.

Our children are no mistake. Unfortunately, others assume the contrary. Please do not apologize for my hardship. It's offensive and downright disrespectful. Although you may feel ”sorry” for me and my daily routine of difficulties. Rest assured I'm stronger than you think.

Sometimes It's difficult to receive information from the educators who care for our children. It's important to understand our duties as parents to communicate our emotional opinions and viewpoints. Bottom line..we learn from one another, let's listen to the concerns to better our children.

Failure is only a mindset. Unfortunately, as a parent, any mirror setback/ regression sends me into panic and immediately I start to analyze my parenting skills. I'm learning how to endure uncertainty and growth. Honestly, it's difficult for me but this too shall pass.

Do you ever feel like being sick is just impossible? Nothing changes but your frustration level. Can I die in peace, Please? And thank you!

Here I am thinking depression is a passing mindset of unpleasant moments. That last for a couple days. Well.. Obviously I was completely wrong. I've experienced a year or more

I ran into a friend on the 1st day of school, listen to us chat. We are soo happy and lost at the same time.

Be mindful of what someone is going through, one day it could be you. Parenting is a technique learned on the job. The goal is to raise a well rounded human being, however, it's challenging at times. Life can be complicated and filled with uncertainty. Remember your human too and we all make mistakes because parenting can be hard.

We should know the difference between advice and unsolicited advice, right? Well. Let me help explain the difference.

Find your strength to belong anywhere, no more hiding and muster up enough courage to enter public places with your child. Children on the spectrum belong and so do you!

Feeling Guilty after a bad day with your kid. Maybe you could have handled things differently. Either way it’s a moment, and we have them. I’m just speaking on it, I’m a mother who is entitled to feel overwhelmed. I’m owning it and letting go, of all judgement. God damn it. I’m a dope mother