E very year, it seems to come upon us out of nowhere. That's ridiculous, of course. Especially this year since nearly all of the major retail outlets began stocking their Christmas decorations at the same time as their Jack O'Lanterns and toilet paper mummies. This year, more than ever, there is no excuse to be caught unawares of the impending merriment. And yet...I am not ready!
The near-forgotten holiday once known as Thanksgiving falls quite late this year, meaning that we only have a scant 28 days from Turkey Day to The Big Day. It doesn't seem possible that a few short weeks from now we'll be ringing in 2015.
Each and every year, my husband and I struggle trying to find the perfect toys for our children, our special needs sons being no exception. And each and every year, our children shred the wrapping paper, take a brief glance at the gadget or gizmo, and unceremoniously toss it aside. It's really been weighing on me. They don't play with these toys - they haven't given the kids joy (unless you count the enthusiasm of Tasmanian Devils shredding the wrap). What to do?
So this year we're going to try something new. This year, we're giving experiences: a family pack of tickets to LegoLand, a trip to the zoo, homemade "coupons" to a date night with mom or dad and "one free" cookie making appointment.
We're done with meaningless toys that won't matter after their opened. Time is passing too quickly. Our kiddos are getting older, as are we, and we want to make memories together that will sustain us through the challenging times.
-KLH
Wendy Kruse
President, Military Special Needs Network
Miranda Fort
Vice President, Community Outreach
Kelly L. Hafer
Vice President, Publisher
STAFF WRITERS
Lorraine Fonseca
Olivia Kuntz
Teddi Miller
Andrea Scott Thomason
Samantha Seagreaves
Adreanna Tarwater
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Dr. Heather Dierolf
Susan Reynolds
Melissa Ann Shenefelt
MILITARY SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK
Web
www.MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork.com
Blog
www.fb.com/MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork
www.pinterest.com/milspecneeds
@MilitarySNN
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Wendy Kruse
President, Military Special Needs Network
Miranda Fort
Vice President, Community Outreach
Kelly L. Hafer
Vice President, Publisher/Editor
STAFF WRITERS
Jessica Eastman
Lorraine Fonseca
Teddi Miller
Samantha Seagreaves
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Alysia Butler
Robin Frazier
Patty & Bil Hooper
Christine Passerati
Hartley Steiner
MILITARY SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK
Web
www.MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork.com
Blog
www.fb.com/MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork
www.pinterest.com/milspecneeds
@MilitarySNN
CONTACT US
General Email
Advertising, Blog, Giveaways & Reviews
Community Outreach, Peer-to-Peer Mentors