Category Archives: Parenting

“Mommy will never forget you…”

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Michelle O'Neil

We are half way through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book. So far, I’ve read every one of them out loud to my children. Sometimes we snuggle up on the bed. Sometimes I read during … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, family, Parenting, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Meditation Before Glee

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Busy day, and now in the first lull, the the kids want to watch Glee, which means I have to sit there with them because there are parts I must forward through. Not really into it but it means the … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, family, Love., meditation, Parenting, spirituality, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

The Great Pumpkin had a good run. Well played, Seth O’Neil

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

When the kids were little they had all kinds of dietary restrictions and candy was a big no. Wanting them to still have the joy of trick-or-treating, we made up a story (thank you Charles Schultz) about The Great Pumpkin, … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Parenting | 11 Comments

Self-care

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Todd has today off and is not working until tomorrow afternoon. With his encouragment I am at a hotel two seconds away, and for the next 22 hours, I do not have to answer to anyone. No one will demand … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, family, marriage, Parenting, special needs parenting, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Charlotte’s Web

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

I facilitate a book group for 9-11 year olds and this month we are reading Charlotte’s Web. It was my first “big girl” book when I was a child. So charmed by it, I do believe it set me on … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Parenting, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Glee – You’re on Notice

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Shuffling out of my bedroom still half asleep, I’m greeted by my bright-eyed tween with her usual morning after questions. “Did you watch Glee?” It’s our Tuesday night assignment. She can’t watch Glee ’til we’ve watched Glee and screened it. … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Parenting, special needs, special needs parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged | 13 Comments

Children Get Older (…but just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to do it. If everyone else were jumping off a bridge, would you do it too)?

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

At nine, he’s Lego and Harry Potter and Indiana Jones and MJ moves. He’s more generous and patient than I’ll ever be. He’s never been cruel, not a second in his life. He always holds the door open for people, … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Parenting | 10 Comments

Big Fun and Mac’s Backs After Tommy’s

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

We went to the Coventry area for dinner tonight. It was too hot to cook. Attached to the wonderful Tommy’s restaurant is the infamous Mac’s Backs. A local independent. A Cleveland establishment. I brought some of my bumper stickers and … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar, Parenting, special needs parenting, special needs siblings, Uncategorized, writing | 11 Comments

Her Mother’s Eyes

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Riley steps out of the shower and I put the towel around her, draping it over the top of her head so just her face peeks out. I pat her dry a bit then hold her by the shoulders and … Continue reading →

Posted in Asperger's, Parenting, special needs parenting, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Executive Function

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

I have several phone calls to make. I have laundry to do. I am fixing Riley’s supplements. Where was I? Oh…I was going to call Lidi to see how she’s holding up since her dog died. Watching me spin my … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Parenting, special needs, special needs parenting, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Halloween Catalog

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Every year a Halloween Costume catalog arrives in the mail. Riley desperately wants to flip through it. She wants to see the girlie girl costumes. She wants to see the animal costumes. She LOVES Halloween. The catalog calls to her. But … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Parenting, special needs parenting, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Love Thy Neighbor

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

For over two years, the house next door to us was vacant. The previous owners foreclosed, and left in the dark of night, never to be seen again. Neighbors took turns mowing the lawn, making it look “not” vacant. And … Continue reading →

Posted in A Course in Miracles, appreciation, Parenting, spirituality | 13 Comments

Nobody knows the trouble they’ve seen….

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

but you can read all about it over at Hopeful Parents today. Tweet This Post

Posted in Hopeful Parents, Parenting, special needs parenting | 2 Comments

Bathing Suit Shopping

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Riley had a birthday gift card burning a hole in her pocket, and she wanted to go to Justice to buy a bathing suit. She’s outgrown everything from last year. She picked out two to try on, and in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Asperger's, Parenting | 6 Comments

Seth’s Significant Other

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

While Riley was with her tutor, Seth and I had a chance to talk. “So….you dating anyone?” I asked. He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Anyone you’re interested in?” He nodded. “Still got that thing for Quinn on Glee? He … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting | 5 Comments

Riley turned eleven

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

…and I’ve struggled with writing something about it. I’ve started half a dozen posts. How do I put my Riley into words? She’s fabulous. She’s sweet. She’s sassy. Okay, she’s not really sassy, but she dresses sassy. She wouldn’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Asperger's, Parenting, spirituality, Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Evidence of some good parenting…

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

Whether you are learning to ride a bike, write a book, sing a song, give a speech, etc.. Rock & Roll, baby! Tweet This Post

Posted in appreciation, Parenting | 4 Comments

Making a Reader Out of Him

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

On Tuesday, Seth and I snuggled up on “our” sofa by the vending machine while Riley was at Music Therapy. We finished the fourth and final Indiana Jones book. I read the last sentence. There was a beat. I smiled … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting | 4 Comments

Counting My Blessings

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

On Thursday Riley had a cold, and did not feel up to Girls on the Run. There had been some discord in the group while I was away and I was prepared to give them a stern talking to, so … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, Parenting | 7 Comments

Parents….you are enough.

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Michelle O'Neil

While in LA, I met up with some friends, (more on them in a later post) who mentioned Elaine Hall of The Miracle Project. I was familiar with Hall because I’d done a review on Autism the Musical for Age … Continue reading →

Posted in appreciation, autism, Parenting, spirituality | Tagged , , | 2 Comments