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Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid!

Ordinary moms (and imperfect sisters) on raising children with disabilities

Autism
Psychology FROM Dummies

Gina Gallagher on August 1, 2012

Pseudo intellectuals. Ranters. Complainers. PWNIATNs (People with no initials after their names). Call us what you want. We're here. We're proud. We're everyday people who bring a different perspective to psychology—the street perspective. And, you'd be surprised how much we can teach you.

Pseudo intellectuals. Ranters. Complainers. PWNIATNs (People with no initials after their names). Call us what you want. We're here. We're proud. We're everyday people who bring a different perspective to psychology—the street perspective. And, you'd be surprised how much we can teach you.

Autism
Hey 50 Cent! Rap On This...

Gina Gallagher on July 7, 2012

Another day, another insensitive celebrity comment about autism. This time it was rapper 50 Cent who in less than 140 characters showed his lack of character.

Another day, another insensitive celebrity comment about autism. This time it was rapper 50 Cent who in less than 140 characters showed his lack of character.

Embarrassment
5 Signs Your Teen Is "Just Not That Into You"

Gina Gallagher on June 12, 2012

You're a parent all right, but you're not like the others. You tweet regularly, know that Drake is a singer not just a Ring Ding maker, maybe even own a pair of skinny jeans. In your eyes, you're one cool customer. In your teenager's eyes, however, you represent one thing—public humiliation.

You're a parent all right, but you're not like the others. You tweet regularly, know that Drake is a singer not just a Ring Ding maker, maybe even own a pair of skinny jeans. In your eyes, you're one cool customer. In your teenager's eyes, however, you represent one thing—public humiliation.

Guilt
50 Shades of Guilt

Gina Gallagher on June 5, 2012

Sometimes you just need a break from reading those "heavy" psychology, self-help, and parenting books. That's what one woman thought after becoming depressed from reading a book on depression.

Sometimes you just need a break from reading those "heavy" psychology, self-help, and parenting books. That's what one woman thought after becoming depressed from reading a book on depression.

Autism
Feeling Blue? You Picked a Great Time!

Gina Gallagher on March 21, 2012

April is not just for spring showers; it's the time for blue lights. Not the kind of Blue Light Specials you find at Kmart, but the special blue lights that will shine a light on autism. Learn how one mother finds autism something to feel good—and blue—about.

April is not just for spring showers; it's the time for blue lights. Not the kind of Blue Light Specials you find at Kmart, but the special blue lights that will shine a light on autism. Learn how one mother finds autism something to feel good—and blue—about.

Depression
Five Things Not to Say to a Special Needs Parent

Gina Gallagher on March 15, 2012

We're all guilty of saying the wrong things at times. That's why they invented duct tape, right? But some of us, like parents of special needs children, are more likely to be on the receiving end of harsh comments than others. Comments that leave us feeling angry, humiliated, and depressed. Learn what you should and shouldn't say.

We're all guilty of saying the wrong things at times. That's why they invented duct tape, right? But some of us, like parents of special needs children, are more likely to be on the receiving end of harsh comments than others. Comments that leave us feeling angry, humiliated, and depressed. Learn what you should and shouldn't say.

Bullying
Victim of Adult Bullying? Don't Sweat It!

Gina Gallagher on March 3, 2012

If you've ever been bullied or teased by adults, you're not alone. As much as we'd like to think that as adults, we've grown beyond the bullying, many people haven't. What message does that leave for our kids? And what lessons can our special kids teach us about bullies?

If you've ever been bullied or teased by adults, you're not alone. As much as we'd like to think that as adults, we've grown beyond the bullying, many people haven't. What message does that leave for our kids? And what lessons can our special kids teach us about bullies?

Relationships
Surviving That Special Young Love

Gina Gallagher on February 13, 2012

What do you do when you face a new parenting challenge or decision? Maybe you do what I do—draw on your own childhood experience. Ask yourself WWMADD? (What Would Mom and Dad Do?) There is, however, one parental dilemma that my childhood experiences can't help me with—dating.

What do you do when you face a new parenting challenge or decision? Maybe you do what I do—draw on your own childhood experience. Ask yourself WWMADD? (What Would Mom and Dad Do?) There is, however, one parental dilemma that my childhood experiences can't help me with—dating.

Marriage
Don't Blink! It's Another Hollywood Divorce

Gina Gallagher on January 1, 2012

16 days of marriage for Sinead O'Connor. 72 days of marriage for Kim Kardashian. Should we be celebrating anniversary milestones in days not years?

16 days of marriage for Sinead O'Connor. 72 days of marriage for Kim Kardashian. Should we be celebrating anniversary milestones in days not years?

Genetics
How Did We Go From a Baby in a Manger to Black Friday?

Gina Gallagher on December 19, 2011

The holidays are a time to give thanks and spread goodwill toward fellow man, right? Then why do some of the stresses of the holidays seem to bring out the worst in people?

The holidays are a time to give thanks and spread goodwill toward fellow man, right? Then why do some of the stresses of the holidays seem to bring out the worst in people?

Relationships
Uncovering the Real Gifts of the Holiday Season

Gina Gallagher on December 12, 2011

While we're busy hauling out our holly and shopping till we drop, many of us forget to stop and appreciate the true gifts in life. Sometimes it takes a life changing incident to get us to stop counting presents and start counting our blessings.

While we're busy hauling out our holly and shopping till we drop, many of us forget to stop and appreciate the true gifts in life. Sometimes it takes a life changing incident to get us to stop counting presents and start counting our blessings.

Asperger's Syndrome
Mother Doesn't Always Know Best

Gina Gallagher on November 22, 2011

As a parent, it's your job to be a positive role model for your child, right? But when "experts,"are constantly reminding you of your child's deficiencies, it's hard to accomplish that. For many special parents, there comes a time when we should stop listening to what the experts say and listen to the person who really knows best -- the child.

As a parent, it's your job to be a positive role model for your child, right? But when "experts,"are constantly reminding you of your child's deficiencies, it's hard to accomplish that. For many special parents, there comes a time when we should stop listening to what the experts say and listen to the person who really knows best -- the child.

Friends
Who Needs Maternal Instincts When You Have Facebook?

Gina Gallagher on October 26, 2011

You've heard all about the dangers of Facebook. But what about the benefits? Facebook can be a valuable tool in helping parents connect with (and spy on) their children. Best of all, you can do it in your pajamas. Read this humorous look at the positive side of Facebook.

You've heard all about the dangers of Facebook. But what about the benefits? Facebook can be a valuable tool in helping parents connect with (and spy on) their children. Best of all, you can do it in your pajamas. Read this humorous look at the positive side of Facebook.

Humor
Laugh Your Behind Off, Literally

Gina Gallagher on September 19, 2011

Kids say the funniest things. Factor in a kid with a "different view of the world," and you have your own little comedian. Here are some funny quotes out of the mouths of special children. You'll laugh your behind off (oh, if only that were true).

Kids say the funniest things. Factor in a kid with a "different view of the world," and you have your own little comedian. Here are some funny quotes out of the mouths of special children. You'll laugh your behind off (oh, if only that were true).

Anger
Put Your Party Pants On! We're Having a Pity Party!

Gina Gallagher on September 13, 2011

None of us like to feel sorry for ourselves. But the fact is, pity can sometimes be a healthy way to get in touch with our feelings and uncover the help we need.

None of us like to feel sorry for ourselves. But the fact is, pity can sometimes be a healthy way to get in touch with our feelings and uncover the help we need.

Relationships
Loving and Letting Go

Gina Gallagher on September 6, 2011

Letting go is not easy for any parent. But when you have a child with a disability, it can be devastating. Sisters Patricia Konjoian and Gina Gallagher share the lesson of how the unexpected loss of their mother helped them gain perspective on the importance of fostering love and independence for their special children.

Letting go is not easy for any parent. But when you have a child with a disability, it can be devastating. Sisters Patricia Konjoian and Gina Gallagher share the lesson of how the unexpected loss of their mother helped them gain perspective on the importance of fostering love and independence for their special children.

Genetics
What They Don't Tell You About "Therapy" Dogs

Gina Gallagher on July 15, 2011

For many parents of special needs children, a therapy dog can provide invaluable assistance and comfort to their struggling children. For others, caring for a "therapy" dog can lead them to therapy.

For many parents of special needs children, a therapy dog can provide invaluable assistance and comfort to their struggling children. For others, caring for a "therapy" dog can lead them to therapy.

Autism
Looking at Autism from "The Other Side"

Gina Gallagher on June 21, 2011

For many parents, accepting their children have autism can be a devastating and overwhelming experience. Learn how one imperfect mother gets awakened to the "other side" of autism -- the positive one.

For many parents, accepting their children have autism can be a devastating and overwhelming experience. Learn how one imperfect mother gets awakened to the "other side" of autism -- the positive one.

Anxiety
The Anxiety of Living with Anxiety

Gina Gallagher on June 13, 2011

Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Doomsday predictions. There sure is a lot of uncertainty in the world. And if you have a child with special needs and anxiety, managing these uncertainties can drive you straight to the nearest pharmacy.

Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Doomsday predictions. There sure is a lot of uncertainty in the world. And if you have a child with special needs and anxiety, managing these uncertainties can drive you straight to the nearest pharmacy.