Monday, March 21, 2011

Mothers and Fathers from Hell and Heaven

I've been writing monthly at Hopeful Parents since the website first started, but for the past two months, the 21st has come and gone and -- well -- I've forgotten to come. It's early evening here on the west coast and probably fairly late into the evening for most of the readers who come here, but I'm not going to miss my day.

I have a project that I'm working on that involves all of you. A while back, a video went the viral rounds on YouTube. It's called Reflections of Parenting and along with some moving music, shows a series of mothers holding up simple signs with words of parenting advice, words that they wish they had heard or known before they became mothers for the first time. The video is moving in its simplicity and I imagine that nearly all parents can identify with many of the sentiments, as well as the weary smiles and straight-forward advice.

My idea is to produce something similar to this but for those of us who parent children and adults with special needs. I think such a video would be, not only supportive and moving to our community but inspirational to nearly everyone. I hope you'll be honest -- if it's not something particularly cheerful, if it's something downright morbid, if it's black-humored, that's all right. In fact, it will make the video richer. 

This is what I want you to do. Please send send a photo of yourself holding a poster on which you've answered the following question:

What would I say to the parent I was the day before my child was diagnosed with his or her disorder or the day before I knew?

Please send your photos to my email: elsophie AT gmail DOT com.

I can't wait to hear from you all!

 

When she isn't missing her deadline to write here on the 21st of each month, Elizabeth posts at a moon, worn as if it had been a shell.

9 comments:

  1. I'm so excited about this project! If you need help, whatever it is, just let me know. I might need to send you a new picture though...my advice to myself changes with my moods and the challenges in front of me, and right now it's not as cheerful as my first submission! (But still something I wish I could have conveyed to my pre-Oscar self).

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  2. Love it!
    Do you want the question on the board as well? Or just simply the answer?
    Thanks!

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  3. Erin -- Thanks for responding! Just the answer!

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  4. Nobody has a crystal ball.
    Do not let anybody tell you what your child can or cannot do, or who he/she will turn out to be.
    Anything is still possible.

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  5. This is such a wonderful idea. I can't wait to see the finished result.

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  6. I love this idea. It will be a beautiful gift.
    I understand forgetting your deadline. It happens! But your writing is worth the wait. xoxo

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  7. I love this idea. I'll send shortly.

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