• Home
  • Purpose
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Mrs. Lady Wordsmith

Clean Reads. Educational Printables.

  • Reading
    • Books
    • Education
    • Grammar
  • Writing
  • Scriptures
  • Quotes & Printables
    • English Printables
    • Spanish Printables
  • Etsy Shop
You are here: Home / Fun Stuff / What to Do When Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism

What to Do When Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism

January 9, 2017 By Kerry Leave a Comment

So the diagnosis is now official. An expert has confirmed your suspicions. Your child has autism. You’re shocked even though you kind of already knew, or else why would you be getting a specialist’s opinion? Still, you were hoping your gut instincts were wrong. They weren’t. So what’s next?

In our case, 11 years ago, the doctor was kind and sympathetic, but his “verdict” came at the end of our appointment time, so my husband and I had just a few minutes to process things, ask a few questions, and accept a folder with some information that would supposedly get us started on our new journey. But the “verdict” felt like a “sentencing” of some kind. And the folder didn’t contain nearly enough information to help us at all. It felt like a kind gesture, and that was it.

What we did come away with was a sense of urgency, that we had a small window to really help our three-year-old son with therapies and whatever else we could find. At the time, we had just moved to Boise, Idaho, having left the Salt Lake City area, where our son was born and where much of our extended family lived. We knew very few people in our new neighborhood, but we were blessed to have my husband’s cousin in the area, who happened to be a well-respected OBGYN. He called in a favor and got us in to an overbooked pediatrician who happened to be his neighbor and long-time associate in the field of childcare.

Our new pediatrician was amazing! She knew about autism–a lot. She was also compassionate and very thorough. We loved her immediately! Her office happened to employ an early-intervention service coordinator. We loved her right away too! But even with both of their help, we still felt overwhelmed and had a lot of research and decisions to make. Thankfully, our son was an only child, and I devoted any time he needed to therapy and “homework,” practicing the skills he learned in therapy.

Looking back, I can see we were truly blessed to find the right people to help us. We continued to find good therapists who helped our son with occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech therapy (ST). We added adaptive sports, equine therapy, and an early-intervention preschool, which he attended a few hours a day for two years before kindergarten. He entered elementary school. He qualified for an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and for Educational Resources in mainstream classrooms. Every single therapist, teacher, and trainer did their very best to help our child. And we did everything they told us to do at home.

Fast forward 14 years and I can see that in many ways our situation was ideal for raising a son on the spectrum. Granted, some things were not. Living away from home was tough at times, but living in the Boise area brought many opportunities we wouldn’t have had in Salt Lake City at the time. (I’ll explain more in another post and link it here.)

The condensed version of our story is about as short as I can make it here. But I do have a few tips to share, things we learned along the way. When you first get the diagnosis for your child, you might note the following (after you have a good cry and eat some chocolate first):

  1. Read positive research. One of the first things you’re likely to do, if you haven’t done so already, is scour the internet for information. Please be very careful about how you do this. Many articles can be so negative and full of inaccuracies. Commit to reading only information that is research-based from trustworthy sources. I suggest starting with sites such as  AutismSpeaks.org or NationalAutismCenter.org. “Knowledge is power,” right? Arm yourself with correct information first. Also, begin researching what’s available in your state. Consider asking a partner, family member, or friend to help you. There’s a lot of information out there, good information. But don’t overwhelm yourself with information that applies to other states or countries. (More about that in number 5.)
  2. Study positive examples of people with autism. Yes, positive experiences do exist. Before beginning our journey with autism, we had never heard of Temple Grandin. We were delighted to find out about her and hope to meet her in person one day. She’s uplifting and positive, yet a bit quirky. So she’s real. 🙂 Most importantly, she is living proof that an individual with autism can accomplish amazing feats. Dr. Grandin isn’t the only fine example. There are many others. Focus on them, not the scary examples.
  3. Avoid books that promote unresearched, personal beliefs or are just plain whacko. Back when our son was first diagnosed, Jenny McCarthy made her autism debut, doing more harm than good, if you ask me. If you choose to read her books, be forewarned that Ms. McCarthy is rude, biased, and stubborn regarding many of the latest scientific findings on ASD. Her example is problematic, in my opinion, because she influenced many Autism Moms to think that they have to speak and act like her to get necessary results for their kid at school and in the medical profession. The result? No one wants to work with the Jenny McCarthys of the world. Don’t ruin your chance to be your child’s best advocate by following her example. Also, I don’t recommend reading Running with Scissors. It’s full of horrible language and disturbing thoughts. It also had no application whatsoever to our situation. Several people recommended that book to me when our son was first diagnosed. It was a terrible suggestion. Thankfully, there’s a much better selection of autism-inspired books now available. (Future post of good book selections to come.

    Seek a pediatrician who is experienced and enthusiastic about treating your child with autism.

  4. Make sure your pediatrician is well versed with autism. Ask them how much experience they have with autism. Do they enjoy working with patients on the spectrum? How many autism patients do they typically see? Have they received specialized education or training for treating autism? Listen to your gut feelings when they respond. Also, see if their office has a social worker or service coordinator who can help you. This is generally a complementary service. If your current pediatrician doesn’t have someone on staff to work with you, contact other pediatricians in your insurance network regarding their services specific to autism. Change pediatricians if yours isn’t highly educated on autism or enthusiastic about helping you.
  1. Research local community and school district for options. In our case, Utah offers an Early Intervention program, which we began utilizing when our son was a year old. That’s when we noticed gross-motor delays and sensory issues. Then when we moved to Idaho, we sought the official diagnosis and received referrals for autism-specific programs. Some information came from the doctor. But I also researched a ton online. This is the time to put your best Google-search tactics to use. Simply type in autism plus the name of your town or school district. Options will come up. Some possibilities include behavioral therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more. You’ll need referrals from your pediatrician to see these specialists. Usually, there are waiting lists. Don’t be discouraged. Get your child’s name on ANY lists you might need. People cancel their spots, and you’ll get in. If you end up not needing a therapy when it becomes available, you can always cancel. So FOR SURE get on the lists, and don’t delay.
  2. Know that there are solutions. Do NOT assume that you cannot afford help for your child. If there’s a therapy that’s right for your child, you should check into it. Insurances help to cover expenses, Medicaid might be a resource, and some places have reduced fees for those paying with cash. Honestly, if you are in a total financial pinch and truly cannot afford help for your child, you should qualify for some kind of assistance. At the very least, set up a GoFundMe account and seek help from family and friends.
  3. Join local support groups. While waiting for therapy appointments, visit with the other moms in the waiting room. Or find support groups by searching online or asking your pediatrician or the therapists you see. From my experience, moms are the best resources for learning about community resources and competent medical professionals. That said, if someone has an unfavorable opinion of a service, you might want to probe a little and ask why or what happened. You may learn that their concerns are very different from yours and that the service really would be right for your kid. Or you’ll agree with the mom’s assessment and save yourself a big headache.
  4. Ask for ideas in Facebook groups. I say this with extreme caution. I participate in several autism FB groups. Be careful and specific about what you ask, realizing that the members may offer unintentional misinformation that simply isn’t right for your situation. I recommend starting with local autism Facebook groups first. Otherwise, someone’s advice from Kentucky or the UK, for instance, may send you down the wrong track for your state’s options. Instead, begin by searching your state + autism, and see what comes up. Then you might post something like, “We are looking for a pediatrician near Salt Lake City who is very knowledgeable about autism. Can anyone here recommend someone and tell why you like them?” With any luck, a good physician’s name will be recommended more than once. Then you can feel good about calling him or her. Or “Our son needs physical therapy. Can you recommend someone in the Salt Lake area who works with autistic kids?” Avoid questions like, “My son is 6 and struggles to kick a ball. Do you think he needs physical therapy?” You’re going to receive every opinion under the sun, and all the myriad responses will likely leave you feeling confused. Also, I highly recommend that you don’t use Facebook groups to vent. Seek trusted friends for that. Otherwise, you’re opening yourself up to a bunch of strangers. I’ve discovered that women in these groups LOVE to vent. They don’t necessarily want to fix problems. They just want to vent. And if you suggest solutions, they’re going to snarl at you for “judging” them because you see a probable answer. Yes, I speak from personal experience on this one. 🙂 Also, venting ladies aren’t exactly positive people. I find most of the autism FB groups to be quite negative.
  5. Don’t worry what family and friends think about the autism diagnosis, unless they happen to agree with you. I know. Easier said than done, right? With time, all of our family members have come to see that our son is on the spectrum. Had we waited for everyone to be on board with the diagnosis, we would have lost years of precious early intervention. Lovingly explain that you’re getting help for your child, and if the “label” of autism makes them feel uncomfortable, then you acknowledge that. They have a right to feel that way. In turn, you ask that they acknowledge that you feel otherwise. You’re with your child all the time. Your child is your focus. You’re doing your best to get the help and resources you need for your child. And . . . medical professionals agree with you. So unless they’d like to get on board the autism boat and help  you row, they should be kind and support you and your child in what you need to do.  At the very least, you ask that they please don’t insist that their assessment of your situation is right. You simply don’t have the energy or emotions to deal with that too.

There’s so much to consider when THE DIAGNOSIS is first given. These are just suggestions to get you started. Everyone’s experience with autism is unique. Every person with autism has their own set of experiences. Hopefully, you’ll see here that there are ideas to try. There are possible solutions.  There’s more than just a diagnosis. There’s hope.

What did you do when you first learned you or child have/has autism?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin.

If you missed this link earlier, you might also enjoy reading this related post. 

Filed Under: Fun Stuff Tagged With: autism

« A Father’s Perspective on Autism
A Dad’s Perspective: Am I Helping or Enabling My Son? »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Looking for Something?

Latest on Instagram

mrsladywordsmith

Kerry Smith: Discover the best books 📚 & ideas 💡 to help your family develop a life-long l❤️ve for learning. ➕Quotes & Printables #mrsladywordsmith

Mrs. Lady Wordsmith
This little gem was a keeper for our book club. It This little gem was a keeper for our book club. It's the first of four in a delightful series about an antique shop, a mother and daughter, and travel back in time. It reminded me a tiny bit of the 1980 movie Somewhere in Time, which I adored. Daughter Xanthe and mom Flora leave London for a fresh start in the historic town of Marlborough. They breathe new life into an antique shop through hard work and lots of talent. But the real story lies with an antique find--a silver chatelaine that transports her back to the 17th Century--and a resident ghost who insists she go back to save her daughter. There's also a romance with Xanthe and architect Samuel Appleby, who resides in the past. You won't be able to put this one down! It's an excellent gift too.⠀
⠀
The Little Shop of Found Things, by Paula Braxton.⠀
⠀
#thelittleshopoffoundthings #paulabraxton #mrsladywordsmith #booksworthreading #fiction #fictionbooks #booksyoushouldread #cleanreads #cleanreadsbooks
Help your child learn and develop the valuable ski Help your child learn and develop the valuable skill of setting and achieving goals. This free printable is easy to download and use. Plus it's cute enough to display in a bedroom, on a fridge, or wherever your child will see it as a constant reminder. Link in bio.⠀
#goals #goalsetting #achievinggoals #goalsforkids #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #achievingexcellence #childrenandyouth #childrenandyouthprogram
I found this one in a nearby free library. Score! I found this one in a nearby free library. Score! It’s still selling at Costco. 

It’s foremost about thousands of orphans in Canada, illegitimate children who had nowhere else to go. So the Catholic church and government intentionally misdiagnosed them as mentally incompetent and sent them to live in asylums. It was a money maker as the caretakers made a lot of money per child and could treat them horribly without supervision. 

The second part of the story is about separatists wanting to liberate Quebec from the rest of the country. English vs French. Rich vs poor. 

Throughout, there’s a love story that finally makes sense in the end. 

Historical fiction with quite a bit of profanity. Luckily, the previous owner of my book blocked out most of the swear words. 

Not my favorite historical fiction, but I learned a lot about Canada’s past that I did not know. 

#theforgottendaughter #joannagoodman #mrsladywordsmith #booksaboutcanada #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfictionnovel
This is Oakley. He likes my favorite Christmas chi This is Oakley. He likes my favorite Christmas children’s book too. ❤️

Do you have Christmas Day in the Morning? 

It’s a rustic tale of a young boy who surprises his dad with an unforgettable gift from the heart. It’s a genuine lesson that the best gifts don’t cost money but, instead, come from what we do for others. 

I know it’s a little late in the season to be ordering Christmas books, but if you don’t have this one in your collection, it’s a definite keeper. I have a link for purchasing it in my bio, along with some other great seasonal book recommendations for kids. 

#christmasbooksforkids #childrensliterature #bestchildrensbooks #booksworthreading #mrsladywordsmith
Saying goodbye to my beloved Ensign magazine this Saying goodbye to my beloved Ensign magazine this month. I worked there for seven years, leaving in 2002 when my oldest son was born. Graciously, they let me continue to work from home for many years following. 

The magazine is being retired in favor of a more international approach, which I understand and appreciate. 

My time at the Ensign with truly amazing coworkers will always hold a special place in my heart. 

I look forward to the next era of church publications, even though I shed a tear or two as I say goodbye. #ensignmagazine #mrsladywordsmith #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints
This is an excellent book! Historical fiction is m This is an excellent book! Historical fiction is my favorite genre. This one is about Spain’s Civil War and the 40-year cruel reign of Franco, a ruthless dictator. Well into the late 80s, he ruled with terror. Spaniards lived in fear and could not question how their country was governed. Much like Hitler, Franco determined to cleanse the Spanish people of “Republican blood,” those who had questioned and opposed during the war.  One cruel, common practice was to steal newborns from parents in the hospital, telling them their child had died, while secretly placing the child in an orphanage and charging exorbitant adoption fees to prospective parents, often foreigners who had no idea of Spain’s troubles. It’s estimated that over 300,000 children were stolen and adopted out. 

The Fountains of Silence, by Ruta Sepetys. I’ll be checking out her other books. Very well written. Clean language. 

#booksworthreading #bookstoread #favoritebooks #rutasepetys #rutasepetysbooks #mrsladywordsmith #bookclubreads #bookclubreading #bookclubladies
What’s in your stash of Christmas books? My favo What’s in your stash of Christmas books? My favorite is Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl Buck. 

We read one or two books every night. Together we always read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. What are your Christmas favorites? 

#christmasbooks #christmasbooksforkids #christmasbookshelf #mrsladywordsmith
My dear friend Sue gave me this book ornament. I a My dear friend Sue gave me this book ornament. I absolutely adore it! Do you have similar ornaments or Christmas decor with books? I’d love to see. Please tag me. It would be fun to share with each other. #booksforchristmas #bookishchristmas #christmaswithbooks #booksarethebestgifts #mrsladywordsmith
Will you join me? Post each day what you’re grat Will you join me? Post each day what you’re grateful for. #givethanks #mrsladywordsmith #dailygratitude #countingblessings #thanksgiving
I love it when my family shares what they’re mos I love it when my family shares what they’re most grateful for. With a few markers and some words of expression, you can easily transform a pumpkin into a treasured centerpiece for Thanksgiving. Words can inspire, and I love this simple activity we do every year. #wordscaninspire #wordart #wordsmith #mrsladywordsmith #wordsofgratitude #thanksgiving #thanksgivingtradition #thanksgivingtraditions #givethanks #countingourblessings
Just wanted to say hi! I couldn’t resist having Just wanted to say hi! I couldn’t resist having a picture taken in front of all these amazing words. I’m so grateful for clever minds who come up with such fun displays. 💡 If you’re ever in Utah, stop by the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown SLC. The fun starts here. 🎯 #heresyoursign #wordsarefun #slc #picsandwords #wordsmith #mrsladywordsmith
This book was such a surprise to me! I wasn’t su This book was such a surprise to me! I wasn’t sure I would like it, and I ended up loving it. 

A friend loaned it to me. I took one look at the cover and thought: Diary of a Wimpy Kid-esque. 🤷🏼‍♀️ But I committed to giving it my 3-chapter try. 

I was hooked by the first chapter. Through the eyes of the main character, who is a skilled potter, we learn so many great life lessons throughout the pages. 

Set in the small town of Niederbipp, PA (yes, it’s a real place), we learn about a young potter fresh from college who has temporarily committed to taking the potter position in Niederbipp after the last beloved potter died. 

It turns out that the old potter and his shop were more than meets the eye. He was a mentor to many and his shop a frequent place to visit and temporarily escape life’s troubles. 

Each page shares a wise life lesson. 

The author is also a professional potter, and if he ever reprints the book again, I’d love to give it a quick edit. Most pages contain typos, extra words, or missing words. I had to re-read many a sentence to get the full meaning because of the errors. Normally I would toss a book with this many errors, but the book is THAT good. @utahpotterboy is the author. Look him up if you’re interested. @niederbippboy
Dia de los Muertos is Oct 31-Nov 2. Turn it into a Dia de los Muertos is Oct 31-Nov 2. Turn it into a fun learning experience with these free educational printables to color and an extra printable for some fun decor. Link in bio.⠀
⠀
#diadelosmuertos #freeprintables #freecoloringpages #mrsladywordsmith
Many of us have read Tara Westover's international Many of us have read Tara Westover's international bestseller Educated. Raised in Idaho by a zealot Mormon dad and homeschooled without adequate education, she self-teaches, enters college, and eventually earns her PhD at Cambridge. ⠀
⠀
Is her story true? Mom LaRee Westover has now written her own memoir: Educating. And I've had the opportunity to review her book--and compare it to Tara's story. ⠀
⠀
I offer an in-depth review and my honest opinion at the end of the review. I invite you to educate yourself and see how I vet out both sides of the story.  Link in bio.⠀
⠀
#tarawestover #tarawestovereducated #tarawestoverbook #educatedbook #memoirs #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookreviewers #mrsladywordsmith
So I’m late to the party on this book. Becoming So I’m late to the party on this book. Becoming published in 2018, and it’s been on my TBR list since the start. 

I’m glad I finally read it and got to know Michelle Obama better. While I am not a Democrat, I pride myself on recognizing a good person regardless of their political or religious affiliation or race. 

To me, she’s a fascinating person and was a very good, active First Lady. I appreciate that she tried to help us as a nation become more healthy. Our children need it especially. In fact, after reading this I have a new resolve to help my family live a healthier lifestyle. 

Regardless of our political views and how we might solve problems, we can come together on common ground. And I was surprised that Mrs. Obama and I actually share quite a bit of common ground. We both grew up in modest circumstances with parents who worked very hard. I, too, had parents who very much supported my education. I, too, feel that education and successful careers should be available to all who truly work for them. 

I love that Mrs. Obama still feels she is becoming. It’s a lifelong progression. We are all becoming. 🌸 #becoming #michelleobama #becomingbook #biography #biographies #autobiography #bookstoread #booksthatmakeyouthink #mrsladywordsmith
Is your school or homeschool group doing a spellin Is your school or homeschool group doing a spelling bee this year? I help with the one at our school and thought I'd share this free printable award certificate. Feel free to pass it along to anyone on your PTA who might use it. Link in bio.⠀
⠀
#spellingbee#spellingbeecompetition#spellingbeecontest#spellingbeewinner#spellingaward#spellingbeeaward#mrsladywordsmith
Dear October, I'm so grateful for you. I didn't mu Dear October, I'm so grateful for you. I didn't much like the really hot summer months this year. Your cooler days and nights help me to feel energized. And I know you bring the start of the holiday season I so treasure. Thank you. Thank you every year. ⠀
⠀
#october #octoberquote #octoberquotes #lmmontgomery #fallquotes #fallvibes #autumnvibes #autumnquotes #fallismyfavoriteseason
I’d forgotten about this book until someone in a I’d forgotten about this book until someone in an online group mentioned it was their all-time favorite. I’ve been meaning to read it for years. While it’s not my all-time favorite, it has a fabulous message that’s worth reading. The Prince inhabits a small planet, where he thoughtfully cares for a flower, watches hundreds of daily sunsets, and faithfully rakes 3 volcanoes. But after a time, he leaves his planet to explore other planets. Eventually he comes to earth. He meets someone who has crash landed in the Sahara Desert. They learn deep thoughts from one another. 

Before the Prince departs, returning with his soul to his planet, he says something I find poignant: “When you look up at the sky at night, since I’ll be living on one of them, for you it’ll be as if all the stars are laughing. You’ll have stars that can laugh! ... And when you’re consoled (everyone eventually is consoled), you’ll be glad you’ve known me. You’ll always be my friend.” ⭐️ 

#thelittleprince #thelittleprincequotes #booksworthreading #bookstagram #booksthatmatter #booksthatinspire #mrsladywordsmith
So I have a new favorite book! This is it!!! Have So I have a new favorite book! This is it!!! Have you heard of it? I just finished it and have already passed it along to a couple of friends. 

Like The Giver of Stars, which is my favorite book from last year, this is about the Packhorse Librarians in Appalachia during the Great Depression. But this book has a new twist. Did you know about the Blue people of Kentucky???? Their skin is literally blue because of an inherited recessed gene that makes their blood a chocolate color due to less-than-normal oxygen levels. In this story, blues are treated as coloreds. It’s s fascinating read. I hope I’ve piqued your interest and you’ll snag a copy. 

We’ll be discussing it soon in my free Facebook book club. Join us if you’d like. Link in bio. #bookclubsofinstagram #bookclubpick #bookclubpicks #newfavoritebook #bookclubladies
The perfect, free bookmark for new and struggling The perfect, free bookmark for new and struggling readers! Just download and print. Two styles. One for picture books (shown) and one for chapter books, designed to be colored and personalized. Link in bio.⠀
⠀
Do you have a struggling reader? What helps?⠀
⠀
#freebookmark #freebookmarks #strugglingreaders #reading #readingtime #readingisfundamental #readingforkids #literacy #literacyhelps #readingeducation #mrsladywordsmith #covidhomeschool #covidhomeschooling #mrsladywordsmith
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Comments

  • Anonymous on Families or Family’s? Which Is Correct?
  • Anonymous on Families or Family’s? Which Is Correct?
  • Anonymous on How to Wash and Care for LDS Temple Garments
  • Anonymous on How to Wash and Care for LDS Temple Garments
  • Anonymous on Educating, A New Memoir by the Mother of Tara Westover

How to . . .

  • Book of Mormon
  • Books
  • Come Follow Me
  • Education
  • English Printables
  • Fun Stuff
  • Grammar
  • Old Testament
  • Spanish Printables
  • Writing

Archives

  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
This little gem was a keeper for our book club. It This little gem was a keeper for our book club. It's the first of four in a delightful series about an antique shop, a mother and daughter, and travel back in time. It reminded me a tiny bit of the 1980 movie Somewhere in Time, which I adored. Daughter Xanthe and mom Flora leave London for a fresh start in the historic town of Marlborough. They breathe new life into an antique shop through hard work and lots of talent. But the real story lies with an antique find--a silver chatelaine that transports her back to the 17th Century--and a resident ghost who insists she go back to save her daughter. There's also a romance with Xanthe and architect Samuel Appleby, who resides in the past. You won't be able to put this one down! It's an excellent gift too.⠀
⠀
The Little Shop of Found Things, by Paula Braxton.⠀
⠀
#thelittleshopoffoundthings #paulabraxton #mrsladywordsmith #booksworthreading #fiction #fictionbooks #booksyoushouldread #cleanreads #cleanreadsbooks
Help your child learn and develop the valuable ski Help your child learn and develop the valuable skill of setting and achieving goals. This free printable is easy to download and use. Plus it's cute enough to display in a bedroom, on a fridge, or wherever your child will see it as a constant reminder. Link in bio.⠀
#goals #goalsetting #achievinggoals #goalsforkids #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #achievingexcellence #childrenandyouth #childrenandyouthprogram
I found this one in a nearby free library. Score! I found this one in a nearby free library. Score! It’s still selling at Costco. 

It’s foremost about thousands of orphans in Canada, illegitimate children who had nowhere else to go. So the Catholic church and government intentionally misdiagnosed them as mentally incompetent and sent them to live in asylums. It was a money maker as the caretakers made a lot of money per child and could treat them horribly without supervision. 

The second part of the story is about separatists wanting to liberate Quebec from the rest of the country. English vs French. Rich vs poor. 

Throughout, there’s a love story that finally makes sense in the end. 

Historical fiction with quite a bit of profanity. Luckily, the previous owner of my book blocked out most of the swear words. 

Not my favorite historical fiction, but I learned a lot about Canada’s past that I did not know. 

#theforgottendaughter #joannagoodman #mrsladywordsmith #booksaboutcanada #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfictionnovel
This is Oakley. He likes my favorite Christmas chi This is Oakley. He likes my favorite Christmas children’s book too. ❤️

Do you have Christmas Day in the Morning? 

It’s a rustic tale of a young boy who surprises his dad with an unforgettable gift from the heart. It’s a genuine lesson that the best gifts don’t cost money but, instead, come from what we do for others. 

I know it’s a little late in the season to be ordering Christmas books, but if you don’t have this one in your collection, it’s a definite keeper. I have a link for purchasing it in my bio, along with some other great seasonal book recommendations for kids. 

#christmasbooksforkids #childrensliterature #bestchildrensbooks #booksworthreading #mrsladywordsmith
Saying goodbye to my beloved Ensign magazine this Saying goodbye to my beloved Ensign magazine this month. I worked there for seven years, leaving in 2002 when my oldest son was born. Graciously, they let me continue to work from home for many years following. 

The magazine is being retired in favor of a more international approach, which I understand and appreciate. 

My time at the Ensign with truly amazing coworkers will always hold a special place in my heart. 

I look forward to the next era of church publications, even though I shed a tear or two as I say goodbye. #ensignmagazine #mrsladywordsmith #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints
This is an excellent book! Historical fiction is m This is an excellent book! Historical fiction is my favorite genre. This one is about Spain’s Civil War and the 40-year cruel reign of Franco, a ruthless dictator. Well into the late 80s, he ruled with terror. Spaniards lived in fear and could not question how their country was governed. Much like Hitler, Franco determined to cleanse the Spanish people of “Republican blood,” those who had questioned and opposed during the war.  One cruel, common practice was to steal newborns from parents in the hospital, telling them their child had died, while secretly placing the child in an orphanage and charging exorbitant adoption fees to prospective parents, often foreigners who had no idea of Spain’s troubles. It’s estimated that over 300,000 children were stolen and adopted out. 

The Fountains of Silence, by Ruta Sepetys. I’ll be checking out her other books. Very well written. Clean language. 

#booksworthreading #bookstoread #favoritebooks #rutasepetys #rutasepetysbooks #mrsladywordsmith #bookclubreads #bookclubreading #bookclubladies
What’s in your stash of Christmas books? My favo What’s in your stash of Christmas books? My favorite is Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl Buck. 

We read one or two books every night. Together we always read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. What are your Christmas favorites? 

#christmasbooks #christmasbooksforkids #christmasbookshelf #mrsladywordsmith
My dear friend Sue gave me this book ornament. I a My dear friend Sue gave me this book ornament. I absolutely adore it! Do you have similar ornaments or Christmas decor with books? I’d love to see. Please tag me. It would be fun to share with each other. #booksforchristmas #bookishchristmas #christmaswithbooks #booksarethebestgifts #mrsladywordsmith
Will you join me? Post each day what you’re grat Will you join me? Post each day what you’re grateful for. #givethanks #mrsladywordsmith #dailygratitude #countingblessings #thanksgiving
Contact Us · Disclosure & Privacy · Terms & Conditions · Cookie Policy · Work With Me

Copyright © 2021 · ·Sprinkle Pro Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.