Over the last 4 years Al and I have worked opposite shifts to limit Michael’s need to be in someone else’s care. I have to say this has been really hard for all of us {Al working Mon-Fri, me working the weekends}. It is TIME for a change, TIME for us to connect as a family. It is TIME for us to enjoy our family again.
I feel we have been doing a decent job at juggling family time and our need to work but it is taking its toll. We find ourselves feeling more like roommates and caregivers than husband and wife or Mommy and Daddy. We find ourselves feeling trapped.
Every 6 months I am faced with changing my schedule at work. This usually brings me a great deal of anxiety as I am not one for change. This shift in schedule also tends to take a toll on Michael as he also likes to have a routine.
This time it is different. This time I am looking forward to the change. I think for the first time in nearly 10 years of employment there.
With this change will come a bit of a financial decrease but the benefits far out way the lack in income.
Since Michael has been born we have only been on 1 family camping trip when he was less than a year old. We honestly have been fearful of taking him anywhere overnight as he hasn’t quite grasped the concept of an inside voice or how to behave himself in public {we are working on it believe me}.
We tend to do everything based on “is Michael going to have a melt down?” We assume he is going to have an issue because time and time again we face the evil stares from people when Michael displays his dissatisfaction in public places.
Michael has many autistic tendencies but the only way we are going to get him to learn to function in “the real world” is to go out there. Be apart of society and LIVE our lives.
No more will we live our lives for other people to make sure they are not “inconvenienced” by us. They can just deal with it. They can be as upset as they would like or give us the look of {can’t you control your child} all they want.
There are a lot of people, places and things we are missing out on.
It is our TIME to live life and set ourselves free of this prison we have created. This summer we are going to have A LOT of firsts. I can’t wait!!!!
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