Feeling down around the holidays, tips on how to stay positive

So this is my first post and I want to let you know now that I am not an editor, nor am I good with commas, grammar, spelling and all of the above. I just write from my heart and I hope it helps at least one person feel as if they are not alone in this world we know as autism......

Always around this time of year it seems like many of us get a bit down. First, we have Halloween and we realize that our kiddos are different and they can't go out like the other kids. Long ago we used to dream about what these days would be like and never did we imagine that our kids would be covering their ears and not be able to eat any of the "treats." Then Turkey Day comes and if we still have family around that celebrates with us we do our best to explain to Aunt Sue why our kids can't have her "special pumpkin muffins." Then before you know it everywhere you go kids are dressed up in their adorable red, white and black outfits lining up to see the big man in the red suit. The neighborhood is lit up and the kids are coming home from school with all of their creations they made for the holidays. Even when you get in the car you hear the songs from the radio and all you can think of is how am I going to pay for my child's next treatment, not what are you going to put under the tree because your child just stares at the lights anyway. And to top it all off your mother-in-law calls and says why can't your son just have one day off and eat what everyone else is eating.... If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. I remember before autism entered my life I used to think that all of these things were important and that it somehow mattered. I remember spending weeks trying to decide what our family would wear for our x-mas picture and would spend several days decorating the house as if Good Housekeeping was going to come and take photos or something. The moment I realized that all of this really was just plain nonsense was the day that all I cared about was having my son look into my eyes or just simply speak my name for the first time. My son truly has given me a greater gift than any holiday ever could. He has taught me persistence, dedication and true love. I feel so grateful every day my son does something that "supposedly" he was supposed to never be able to do. I often wonder how shallow my life would be if I never had my son. To me the word holiday is defined as a celebration and I can tell you I now celebrate every day my son looks at me, talks to me, gives me a hug, and is just near me. Here are my tips for all of you:
1. Write down what you dreams for your child(ren)
2. Write down what you are currently grateful for that your child(ren) does
3. Look at the holidays as a way to spend more quality one on one time with your family
4. Write down 3 things you are proud of yourself as a parent for
5. Surround yourself with people that care and believe in your family
6. If you do have family over during the holidays train 5-10 volunteers in your family how to play with your child in a fun way and have them rotate throughout the day every 15-20 min. Each time there session is done, have them share one amazing thing with the family about your child.
7. Get the whole family involved in writing down dreams for your child(ren)
8. Focus on what your child CAN do and not what they CAN'T
9. Every time you hear a song, see a child all dressed up, or you have a family member that just doesn't get it please remind yourself that kiddos of all ages are improving every day and that your child will progress. Take yourself back to the day you held them for the first time in your arms and don't let go of those dreams and don't stop creating new dreams.
10. You are not alone

Celebrating life, one day at a time!
Much love,
Kristin Selby Gonzalez AKA: Jaxson's Mom