Social Media is a sneaky beast. It is there for people to express their opinions about things going on in the world whether it be good or bad. It allows people to share bright shining incredible moments, accomplishments and milestones. Some even highlight their weekends and boast about how incredible their lives are and how blessed they feel.
All of the above made me take a second to decide if I wanted to post our photos from Saturday (December 14, 2019) We had a full day planned to go up to Midland to the Santa House and if we we had the time, I wanted to take a stroll through Whiting Forest and maybe even do the Christmas Walk at Dow Gardens. In my mind I had a great day planned. Where I went wrong: I overlooked the fact that things WILL go wrong like they usually do and that set me up for a sad and stressful disappointment.
You see, we are a family with children. Children who when they are tired, are cranky, emotional and moody. A child who is non-verbal and just recently has become known to throw tantrums when he doesn't get his way and two adults who sometimes don't work well together when all of these things come at them and things boil over.
Yep. That was our Saturday. But, you would have never guessed that from our pictures. Which is why I have had the overwhelming need to post about it. Things are not always as they seem. Not even close, but if you give that perception on social media, that is what people are going to think. They are going to envy you and your perfect little family in their perfect little moments. Well, I am here to tell you. THAT. IS. NOT. US.
Every family has their downfalls. For us, our life as parents is extra challenging because of Alex - who we love with all of our hearts. He is non-mobile, non-verbal and fully depends on us. We cannot just get up and go. Everything has to be carefully planned. I have to have back up clothes, back up snacks and drinks, toy options in case he gets bored or frustrated. We have to be prepared to exit at any moment if need be. Then you are sometimes stuck disappointing your other child in the process who sometimes doesn't fully understand the world of special needs - although more than most. He has endured a lot through the years and I am proud of him for going with the flow when he can.
If I were to post our photos from Saturday, you wouldn't have known that the day was mostly a shit show with the photographed moments as the happy highlights. It was full of tantrums, screaming, crying, yelling, fighting, stress and anger. Lately, this has been our norm. A norm that HAS to change. I am just here to tell you and show you - don't always envy those friends on social media that look like they have it all together. I am here to tell you (from experience) they don't. And there is nothing wrong with that. We are human. And at the end of the day after all the crazy stressful chaos we can come together as a family - then we are doing something right and we are gonna keep on chugging along. It is not all rainbow and sprinkles here in our house, but we are working toward our common goal. To love one another, help each other out in need, understand that days and moments are going to be ruined from time to time and the four of us are in this together.
After all that, we made the best of our day in Midland. We got to see and talk with Santa, had a yummy lunch at Pizza Sam's, rode the Christmas Train around town and even did the Christmas Walk at Dow Gardens. Choosing to remember these happy highlights is what makes the day worth it and not a complete loss.
I loved Pizza Sams and especially Dow Gardens and the forest! Looks like you made the best of it!
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