This week we celebrated my sweet little guy’s fourth birthday. As some of you may have sensed (since I’ve received some really sweet and extremely helpful emails), that while this little guy is completely amazing there are a few things that haven’t seemed quite right. He’s been tested a few times and the results have come back with labels or a shrug of the shoulders. I’ve read book after book, taken a neurodevelopment class, scoured the internet and blogs. Gathering little bits of information through it all, has helped me learn more how to advocate for my son, so that he doesn’t get lost in the cracks. Not to write him off or jump to medication or say that he’s not smart, but to reach out and find how to help him maximize his potential, to straighten out any areas that may be confused in his little body and to make sure he knows he’s loved and not “difficult” through the process. I’ve done a lot of pushing, calling, research, exercises… advocating. Recently, Chris and I have seen a turn in Noah. A good one. We are confident that if we keep plugging away, those areas that are confused in Noah will no longer be. He will no longer be trying to search an unorganized pile of answers inside his head, but be able to find it and file it away where it belongs.
Thank you dear Noah for teaching me to advocate, it is helping me learn how to advocate for your little sister.
Chris and I have been waiting since January to receive our referral from our agency. We’ve read about the child soldiers, the witches, the rape and are ready to travel and pick up our Elaine Love. As time has gone by, I’ve been able to make connections by once again searching the internet, making contact with people who are going through the same thing, reading books and taking classes. I’ve learned more about our agency, other agencies, and the process that is still left in picking her up. And once again, we are plugging away. I can’t share it all right now, but we are moving forward in the process, and hopeful. 
Advocating.
Its not in my personality. Sometimes it includes things like confrontation or perhaps an annoying and constant push. But that’s what we mamas do for the little ones we love!
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Chantel
Aug 8, 2012 -
<3 I love how you are advocating for your children. They will appreciate it so much one day.
Kim
Aug 8, 2012 -
Love this. We are our children’s advocate and we must speak up for them. It is pretty amazing how we can do things out of comfort zone when our kids need us too
Kate
Aug 9, 2012 -
Wow Erin. I had no idea. Hang in there. You are doing an awesome job!
carrie
Aug 10, 2012 -
Hey there. Just stumbled on your blog. We are just starting down a very similar journey. Still trying to decide on an agency but are moments away from sending in our application for OWAS. I would covet any reviews you might have!! Seems hard to find good information.
erin
Aug 11, 2012 -
emailed you!
Nicola
Aug 14, 2012 -
We know and love and fight fiercely for our children better than anyone else can. Huge hugs to you. An uncertain but rewarding journey, this parenting gig.
AG Ambroult
Aug 30, 2012 -
yes yes yes. Over the years I have learned–and am still learning– how to advocate for my kids. I feel like I never really had a spine before, when it came to standing up for myself/family until I had kids. I felt the same as you –it just wasn’t my personality. Then something clicked the first time I ever had to stand up and make a difficult decision for my child and, boy, was I surprised that I had no hesitation. It felt…good. I knew I was ruffling some feathers but I also knew I was doing the right thing.
However, as the kids grow, I find the scenarios to have more gray areas because now the child’s opinions are involved, too. I’m now learning to navigate this new form of advocacy. I suppose it will always be this way–ever changing. You know, tiny twists.