So, my 5yo's school has suggested my son needs an IEP for kindergarten. He needs speech therapy and occupational therapy. I was shocked because I was loke"My baby is a GENIUS. He don't do special education". I felt like a failure as a parent because my son is struggling to keep up. After meeting with his social worker, I was more at ease because an IEP doesn't mean a child isn't smart, it just means they need support to get them to grade level standards. He may need it his whole academic life or he made not need it after this year. Either way, it was a milestone as a parent to learn how to put my feelings on the back burner and give my son all the support he needs to shine academically. Myles has such a heartwarming laugh. I was so happy to hear him say Dada. Congratulations ❤️
My son went through speech therapy then too. Was thinking the same thing: “my little guy is BRILLIANT what the F.”
He went from pre K through most of kindergarten, about two years. It definitely helped him. Looking back now, I think my guy just didn’t see a huge need to talk with much coherence, and had been expressing himself perfectly clearly in other ways (of course we were the only ones who could understand him).
My “expert” opinion as a dad of two: Kids develop within general biological markers, but so much of the timing is based on what they’re interested in.
Anything I hear that honors the individual path often rings true over the concerns of those looking at averages across millions of people that one should aim for.
Jennice, thank you for sharing this with me. First of of you are an amazing mother. I can feel it through your words and passion here, and everytime you comment. As a former educator, I wish all of my students had parents like yours- invested, interested, and intuitive. I understand first hand the stigma around special education especially in our community, but I’m so happy you are taken the steps to get what your child needs. I was also a special education teacher, and the supports they get, like you said is just to make the playing field a little more equal so your child can exhibit their brilliance. This is beautiful for you and him. I’ve seen children not get the help their need because of this stigma. Shoutout to you! And thank you for reading!
Thank you for the kind words. He started his IEP last week and we've already seen improvement so I'm very optimistic. His dad also had an IEP but it was a negative experience for him so I know what you mean about the stigma.
You are a good mom. Your loving arms have held him, fed him, and healed him when no one else would do. I honor you!
I was once a kindergarten teacher. I will always be a fellow mother. My husband is a speech pathologist. If you have any questions, or just want any ear to hear, I’m here. The team at school is there to help, nothing else. Treat them as such and your son will go farther than he could alone. We all need people. These are just the right people, right now.
My heart is with you too.
PS. Bring a treat to share to the IEP if it’s not a burden. It calms the nerves when people eat together.
Thank you so much for reaching out! These are new waters for me as a parent and I'm relying heavily on the staff with regards to this. It would be nice to talk to someone outside of that but still with insight. How can I reach you?
I think we can message privately through the chat feature? I will try and reach out. You are already doing right by your boy. It’s a lot! The best thing to do, is breathe. He will too.
The laugh, oh my gosh, that's just the best, but when Myles said that first word I felt an entire stadium cheering! And my grandkids love Bluey too. Thanks for this, Marc, I loved every word.
Deidre, I wish I could tell you how my body felt when I heard those words yo. Just warm. Beautiful feeling ❤️ Thank you for coming back week after week. Means a lot.
"You’ve learned to throw your hands, stiffen your limbs, and fall out like a church lady who caught the ghost when you’re hungry. You’ve never missed a meal, but you sure act like it."
The sentence about keeping the sewer rats then missing the food I laughed so hard on the subway this morning reading this! Its tru
One tradition I will keep is having lil musical instruments everywhere to speak through them when you can. We also would also just randomly « dance » more like sway back n forth and make our own lil bops
We dance A LOT. Determine for him to have some rhythm lol. We should buy him some instruments actually. I’ve been meaning too but now feels like the right age. I was thinking bells!
The sentence about keeping the sewer rats then missing the food I laughed so hard on the subway this morning reading this! Its tru
One tradition I will keep is having lil musical instruments everywhere to speak through them when you can. We also would also just randomly « dance » more like sway back n forth and make our own lil bops
In bed with my little guy right now who’s 9 - had a fever all night and is staying home from school today. That Myles video reminds me of similar moments with him 8 years back.
Oh and that awesome Myles laugh? That’s gonna stick for the rest of his life. The way he laughs, the way he laughs, the way he coughs, the way he sneezes - you’ll hear those babyhood sounds in everything he does. 🤘
From birth through the first 9 months for both my kids I remember it being a total time warp. Especially with my first one (she’s 13 now.) My sleep started getting better sometime between that point and year two for both of them.
Mileage varies depending on the kid 😆 Some friends and family’s babies slept like a log through the night every night since birth, and some never stopped being a challenge.
The one thing that really jumps out for my son at age 9 is his sense of humor. Dude’s hilarious. His babyhood laugh externalized into a natural comedic expression that comes off effortless. My Dad humor has already been eclipsed, and I couldn’t be more proud.
That ending!! I almost started to cry at the end, Marc.
Also, the recurring sleep regressions will kill you, lol. I want to ask God the same question. And savour those couple of ours of you time at the end of the day. One day your kid(s) will be so big there is no couple of hours and you will find yourself either crazy or staying up even later and then getting crazy 😅
my boys have a bed time but it's LATE!! It used to be 8 and 8:30, now it's 9 and 9:30. By the time they actually go to bed I'm either debating going to bed myself, or I'm going right through my exhaustion to binge a show or have time actually chat with Hubby.
I do sometimes lock myself in my room for an hour after work and write then lol.
Great post, Marc. I loved the video and all the thoughts you shared at this stage. It’s cool hearing and seeing the development taking place. And, yes, an early bedtime absolutely makes a big difference for everyone involved! :)
If she’s still up and in my hair after 9, I get cranky. Lol. … Also, I meant to congratulate you on getting your letter published. Good stuff! Congrats!
Every Mylestone resonates. When you hold someone as precious as he is it radiates out like a wave.
(So much so my son - who’s older than you - is startled when I call him “pup” out of the blue and raises an eyebrow-but also hugs me maybe a little tighter when he leaves.). You’ll get to the point when he’s hugging you and his mother goodnight and wonders if you’re getting enough rest.
Still baffles me he’ll be old enough to hug me back or take me out to eat one day.
Listen, the last time you said I should get published and it happened. If a tv show is in the works, I’ll take it too! Thank you so much for seeing the light in this work. You were here since the beginning and was the first to contribute financially. I appreciate you so much, Paris.
I was struck by your line, "I hope you'll be okay with all of this in the future." It does get delicate to write about our children as they get older. My 12yo daughter came racing up to me recently and said, "Mom! I found you on Google!" She knows I write stories about parenting, and I've written every story under the assumption that she will come across it one day (I've read a few of them to her, too), but I have started to feel a little more ambivalent about it all. Anyway, please keep writing your wonderful letters... just something that's been on my mind lately!
Kerala, thank you for this encouragement. It's really hard to know how these will land. I feel better writing and sharing these. I feel good about not showing his face though - he will not hate me for that at least lol
"And now, here you are, nine months from when we took you from the hospital. You've formed your lips, to call call everything and everyone "dada." But it feels extra special when you look at me and say it — I know you know who I am because I know who I am."
Precious. Thank you for allowing us to witness these special and intimate moments, they're so healing and maybe unseen/exemplary for so many <3
Another memorable post.
Appreciate you always, Stan.
So, my 5yo's school has suggested my son needs an IEP for kindergarten. He needs speech therapy and occupational therapy. I was shocked because I was loke"My baby is a GENIUS. He don't do special education". I felt like a failure as a parent because my son is struggling to keep up. After meeting with his social worker, I was more at ease because an IEP doesn't mean a child isn't smart, it just means they need support to get them to grade level standards. He may need it his whole academic life or he made not need it after this year. Either way, it was a milestone as a parent to learn how to put my feelings on the back burner and give my son all the support he needs to shine academically. Myles has such a heartwarming laugh. I was so happy to hear him say Dada. Congratulations ❤️
My son went through speech therapy then too. Was thinking the same thing: “my little guy is BRILLIANT what the F.”
He went from pre K through most of kindergarten, about two years. It definitely helped him. Looking back now, I think my guy just didn’t see a huge need to talk with much coherence, and had been expressing himself perfectly clearly in other ways (of course we were the only ones who could understand him).
My “expert” opinion as a dad of two: Kids develop within general biological markers, but so much of the timing is based on what they’re interested in.
Thanks for sharing your expertise E.T! That totally makes sense to me. This conversation really warms my heart man.
That's a solid "expert" perspective, E.T.
Anything I hear that honors the individual path often rings true over the concerns of those looking at averages across millions of people that one should aim for.
Jennice, thank you for sharing this with me. First of of you are an amazing mother. I can feel it through your words and passion here, and everytime you comment. As a former educator, I wish all of my students had parents like yours- invested, interested, and intuitive. I understand first hand the stigma around special education especially in our community, but I’m so happy you are taken the steps to get what your child needs. I was also a special education teacher, and the supports they get, like you said is just to make the playing field a little more equal so your child can exhibit their brilliance. This is beautiful for you and him. I’ve seen children not get the help their need because of this stigma. Shoutout to you! And thank you for reading!
Thank you for the kind words. He started his IEP last week and we've already seen improvement so I'm very optimistic. His dad also had an IEP but it was a negative experience for him so I know what you mean about the stigma.
Thanks for sharing - wishing you and your family the best!
Hi Jennice,
You are a good mom. Your loving arms have held him, fed him, and healed him when no one else would do. I honor you!
I was once a kindergarten teacher. I will always be a fellow mother. My husband is a speech pathologist. If you have any questions, or just want any ear to hear, I’m here. The team at school is there to help, nothing else. Treat them as such and your son will go farther than he could alone. We all need people. These are just the right people, right now.
My heart is with you too.
PS. Bring a treat to share to the IEP if it’s not a burden. It calms the nerves when people eat together.
Thank you so much for reaching out! These are new waters for me as a parent and I'm relying heavily on the staff with regards to this. It would be nice to talk to someone outside of that but still with insight. How can I reach you?
I think we can message privately through the chat feature? I will try and reach out. You are already doing right by your boy. It’s a lot! The best thing to do, is breathe. He will too.
The laugh, oh my gosh, that's just the best, but when Myles said that first word I felt an entire stadium cheering! And my grandkids love Bluey too. Thanks for this, Marc, I loved every word.
Deidre, I wish I could tell you how my body felt when I heard those words yo. Just warm. Beautiful feeling ❤️ Thank you for coming back week after week. Means a lot.
The best!
"You’ve learned to throw your hands, stiffen your limbs, and fall out like a church lady who caught the ghost when you’re hungry. You’ve never missed a meal, but you sure act like it."
Coffee came out my damned nose!!
Of all the learned behaviors, this is what he chose haha. Appreciate you for reading, and letting me know how it landed.
Me too cuz it took me right back to when my son has done that😂😂😂so EMBARRASSING
The sentence about keeping the sewer rats then missing the food I laughed so hard on the subway this morning reading this! Its tru
One tradition I will keep is having lil musical instruments everywhere to speak through them when you can. We also would also just randomly « dance » more like sway back n forth and make our own lil bops
We dance A LOT. Determine for him to have some rhythm lol. We should buy him some instruments actually. I’ve been meaning too but now feels like the right age. I was thinking bells!
The sentence about keeping the sewer rats then missing the food I laughed so hard on the subway this morning reading this! Its tru
One tradition I will keep is having lil musical instruments everywhere to speak through them when you can. We also would also just randomly « dance » more like sway back n forth and make our own lil bops
Another vote for musical instruments everywhere! 🎶
In bed with my little guy right now who’s 9 - had a fever all night and is staying home from school today. That Myles video reminds me of similar moments with him 8 years back.
Oh and that awesome Myles laugh? That’s gonna stick for the rest of his life. The way he laughs, the way he laughs, the way he coughs, the way he sneezes - you’ll hear those babyhood sounds in everything he does. 🤘
What’s it like at 9 for you? Do you miss these days? I’m assuming you actually get to sleep at 9. When did the sleep come back?! 😂
From birth through the first 9 months for both my kids I remember it being a total time warp. Especially with my first one (she’s 13 now.) My sleep started getting better sometime between that point and year two for both of them.
Mileage varies depending on the kid 😆 Some friends and family’s babies slept like a log through the night every night since birth, and some never stopped being a challenge.
The one thing that really jumps out for my son at age 9 is his sense of humor. Dude’s hilarious. His babyhood laugh externalized into a natural comedic expression that comes off effortless. My Dad humor has already been eclipsed, and I couldn’t be more proud.
lol I love that he's already a comic. Thanks for sharing. The sleep isn't too too bad now. It's just when he wakes up at night and won't go back.
That ending!! I almost started to cry at the end, Marc.
Also, the recurring sleep regressions will kill you, lol. I want to ask God the same question. And savour those couple of ours of you time at the end of the day. One day your kid(s) will be so big there is no couple of hours and you will find yourself either crazy or staying up even later and then getting crazy 😅
Wait! Don’t your boys have a bedtime?!? Why don’t you have time at the end of the day? When do you even have time to write then?!
my boys have a bed time but it's LATE!! It used to be 8 and 8:30, now it's 9 and 9:30. By the time they actually go to bed I'm either debating going to bed myself, or I'm going right through my exhaustion to binge a show or have time actually chat with Hubby.
I do sometimes lock myself in my room for an hour after work and write then lol.
🫶🏻 so adorable
Thank you Elaine ❤️
That video. Guaranteed laughs. You can't miss!
Appreciate it Amar!
The funniest thing about this entire piece is future Myles Google searching the image of Rick Ross to see who he is 😂😂😂😂
Great write up Dad ♥️
I’m weak! Imagine him asking us about these references! Either we will be really cool or just super outdated.
You will be both.
Great post, Marc. I loved the video and all the thoughts you shared at this stage. It’s cool hearing and seeing the development taking place. And, yes, an early bedtime absolutely makes a big difference for everyone involved! :)
Appreciate it brother. What time is Parker’s bedtime? Does she have one? Thank you for acknowledging the effort. It means a lot brother.
If she’s still up and in my hair after 9, I get cranky. Lol. … Also, I meant to congratulate you on getting your letter published. Good stuff! Congrats!
haha! Thank you brother!
Every Mylestone resonates. When you hold someone as precious as he is it radiates out like a wave.
(So much so my son - who’s older than you - is startled when I call him “pup” out of the blue and raises an eyebrow-but also hugs me maybe a little tighter when he leaves.). You’ll get to the point when he’s hugging you and his mother goodnight and wonders if you’re getting enough rest.
This should become a tv series
Still baffles me he’ll be old enough to hug me back or take me out to eat one day.
Listen, the last time you said I should get published and it happened. If a tv show is in the works, I’ll take it too! Thank you so much for seeing the light in this work. You were here since the beginning and was the first to contribute financially. I appreciate you so much, Paris.
I thought his dada was dada, dada. But that laugh! A joy-boy from the get go.
A gift man for real!
I was struck by your line, "I hope you'll be okay with all of this in the future." It does get delicate to write about our children as they get older. My 12yo daughter came racing up to me recently and said, "Mom! I found you on Google!" She knows I write stories about parenting, and I've written every story under the assumption that she will come across it one day (I've read a few of them to her, too), but I have started to feel a little more ambivalent about it all. Anyway, please keep writing your wonderful letters... just something that's been on my mind lately!
Kerala, thank you for this encouragement. It's really hard to know how these will land. I feel better writing and sharing these. I feel good about not showing his face though - he will not hate me for that at least lol
"And now, here you are, nine months from when we took you from the hospital. You've formed your lips, to call call everything and everyone "dada." But it feels extra special when you look at me and say it — I know you know who I am because I know who I am."
Precious. Thank you for allowing us to witness these special and intimate moments, they're so healing and maybe unseen/exemplary for so many <3
Always appreciate you family!