Twelve years and so many memories later, it’s time to say adios to Forever in Mom Genes. I mean, she’s not technically leaving. I am. This website, and her content, will remain here in her little corner of internet. Well, until I forget to renew the domain name and she slips away into the abyss of cyber space. I’m not going far though. You can find me…AND my daughter Avery over at aVERYbrightlife.com. The stories here have become predominantly Avery’s—her life, her interests, her perspective. This amazing girl is older now and has expressed an interest in telling her stories, in her voice. So ..read more

I enjoy orange. Carrots, cats, sunsets, Orangetheory. I’ve been an Orangetheory Fitness enthusiast since 2016. I wrote a bit about that “journey” HERE. Right up until the first lockdown here in Ontario, I was OTFing four times a week. When the gym re-opened I was desperate to return, but my daughter’s underlying medical conditions put her at risk of Covid complications. My girlie comes first. Always.  So I committed to working out at home. At first I was one of those “I’m totally gonna glow-up!” people. I was up for all the Tiktok challenges. I started running. I ordered a yoga swing (Yes ..read more

We wanted our kids to learn to skate. I mean, can you even call yourself Canadian if you can’t glide on blade boots? For several years we constructed a rink in our backyard. Sadly, that ended after the season which will now forever be known as, “The Great Thaw and Neighbour’s Yard Flood” of 2012. Our son enjoyed the rink while it lasted (though mostly on his knees which will make sense as you read on). His little sister longed to join him on the ice. However, teaching her to skate wasn’t a priority. First we needed to get her walking without falling down all the time. She tried skating for the ..read more

The hashtag #disabilityawareness is a curious one. I mean, if you have a disability or love someone who does, you are well aware. But alas, making others aware is the point of such social campaigns. You might think you understand what it’s like living with an intellectual or physical disability. But, unless it’s your reality, you don’t know. Not truly. Last week was the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” It’s a day, primarily on the internet, created as a means to celebrate differences and to educate about life with disabilities. It’s also an opportunity to discuss what it means ..read more

I’m all in for holiday magic, but I’m also a fan of being practical. So I guess I’m looking for some practical magic. And I don’t mean the 1998 film starring Nicole Kidman. My daughter put a hover board, roller skates, a caster board, and a “big” bike on her wish list. What’s up with this kid’s obsession with being on wheels?? As much as I’d love to get her anything she asks for, my priority is to keep her out of the ER. So, I’ve had to think outside the box this year (this weird online shopping because of a freaking pandemic, year) to come up with holiday gifts that are maybe not as fun as be ..read more

She didn't always dance or sing. Until now. She dances and sings with joy. And very recently, with some self-awareness driven modesty. The post Modesty—A Milestone appeared first on Forever In Mom Genes ..read more

Today may have been a mistake. Maybe it wasn’t? But it certainly felt wrong at the time. But maybe it ended up okay after all?? I’m second guessing the crap out of my parenting choices these days. We’re keeping our youngest home from school this fall. We were rock solid in our decision. But now I’m not as sure. Our daughter should be entering her first year of high school in a Community Pathways Program (aka Spec Ed/Lifeskills) this year. We’re keeping her home for obvious reasons—health risks, what about masks, social distancing is difficult for her, I’m home anyway, blah blah etc.  This ..read more

?  Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC Avery made the 6 o’clock news last week. The title of the CBC news segment was, “Why some parents of kids with special needs are making the ‘heart-breaking’ choice of at-home learning.” You can read the full story on the CBC website HERE and the video segment that aired is below.  When the reporter called to talk to me about our decision to opt out of in person learning, I had a lot to say. When she asked if I’d appear on camera to elaborate, I agreed (even though I was in “active wear” and hadn’t washed my hair in um, awhile). The news va ..read more

Last August we were deciding what school backpack to buy and whether or not to sign up for the school lunch program. This year we’re deciding whether or not to send our children back to school in the midst of a contagious virus. It feels surreal (word of the year right there). This isn’t a choice anybody imagined having to make. Though everyone is saying, “Whatever your decision, we support you, no judgment,” that’s not entirely true. People are judging. Though it’s not really about other people’s choices, but about justifying and feeling secure about our own. But here’s the thing. PANDEM ..read more

This “mask wearers versus non-mask wearers” situation is divisive. Like, aggressively divisive. I don’t consider myself to be the least bit aggressive, but even me, a kitten by all accounts, has her claws out.  I “went low” at the grocery store last week. I’m not beating myself up about it mind you. I mean, this issue has potential life or death implications. But not everyone sees it that way. Full disclosure—I DO see it that way.  As the parent of a medically vulnerable child, I’m not screwing around. People who choose not to wear masks or face shields in public piss me right o ..read more