Which hat to wear?

There are so many hats that you have to wear as a parent.

There were a lot of hats that I never tried on before I became a mother - and a lot of "hats" given to me that I just knew I would never have to wear after becoming a mommy.

Well - those hats I didn't want to wear have slowly all come out - and are swimming around my head with great fury right now.

Hat 1 - Give up the career - the business suits - the ability to shop and buy whatever - and wear the "stay at home mom" hat.

Hat 2 - Be the mother of a child with Autism.

Hat 3 - Do your best to raise your child with Autism, and realize that very little is known about what causes this disorder - and truly understand that it is every man for himself out there.

Hat 4 - Mother Warrior - Advocate to get services for my daughter - don't take no for an answer - fill out extensive forms and go through whatever it takes to make her FEEL better.

Hat 5 - Wife. Deal with complicated in-laws - mixing of religion and non religion - closed minded-ness - and open mouth-ness - all on oposing sides. Learning that I do have definitive BOUNDARIES. Try to put Husband at ease about home life - and try not to break down crying when he calls to tell you how hard HIS day has been out there making a living for the family.
Put my needs and wants on a lower level and trust that God will give me what I need to survive if I just come to him and ask.

Hat 6 - Understanding that people in the medical profession are PRACTICING MEDICINE. If I want to get to the root of the problem with my child's health - there may be alternate twists and turns - heartbreaks - and always a small sense of failure mixed with victory.

Hat 7 - Zombie - Tired - No makeup or sleep Mommy. Confused - sad - and sometimes depressed & worried about the future for my child.

Hat 8 - WHAT ABOUT ME Hat. Guess what - it's not all about you anymore mommy.

Hat 9 - Even though its not all about me - ask for help to do something nice for myself - bikram yoga - nails - hair - a mini-break.

Hat 10 - Therapist. When you have a child with this disorder - there are so many "methods" - it can be so confusing to know what to do. Trust a therapist with experience and who gives you the most hope and direction for your child and then practice those things.

Hat 11 - A "friend" of Jenny McCarthy - who is not against vaccines, but believes there are harmful preservatives in them - and they should be spaced out - and not given so many at once. An organic gluten free - soy free - wheat free - casien free guru - the master of label reading - and "eating in".

Hat 12 - A "friend" of Bill W. Accepting who I am and that I am human. The only way I can get through things is when I truly ask my Higher Power for help. That is the only way for me. Ask for guidance - seek out fellowship - share - love - and accept love.

I am sure there are many more hats to come - and hopefully some hats that will go. The only thing I know for sure in my heart is....."Those who will be saved - will have faith until the very end" (Oh yeah - I didn't come up with that one...that was another "friend" of mine.)