My name is Stacey and I have the great honor of joining Blissfully Domestic as a weekly contributor. To say that I am nervous to post my first article here, would be like saying that the Grand Canyon is big.

Understatement!

I have been a pediatric Occupational Therapist for 12 years. I have worked alongside families and other professionals, in an effort to help children become, and feel, successful. Each in their own special way!

My experience is varied, but I have a special fondness for children on the Autistic spectrum or with sensory regulation disorders. Truthfully, it is hard to show favoritism. I enjoy them all!

Now many of you are likely experts in your own right. You might be the parent of a child with special needs. There are many people out there who know just as much, if not more, than I do.

And then you always have that Mr. Know-It-All. Google.

Each week, I hope to simply share something that might make your child’s life a little easier to enjoy; despite the rough days. I might write about a type of treatment, activity ideas, checklists to help identify problems, or general goals for different stages of development.

What do you want? Please let me know, either by commenting here or emailing me at arbonnebystacey (at) hotmail (dot) com. Share your needs, your ideas. I want my articles to be of service to you!

In order to help you get to know me a bit, I thought I would share with you a modified reprint of one of my first articles and blog posts at my own place.

It is important for you to know that I am just like you! I don’t give out advice lightly! As a parent, I want what I say to be relative to our real life adventure!

Quakes, Caps, and Revelations

Choose your battles wisely, especially when it comes to your kids! I have to do that at home. It is what I emphasize with my families dealing with their own child’s low tolerance for anything different or new.

Let’s talk about a few battles.

Quakes

A favorite shopping snack for my kids. Yours may be different, BUT you KNOW what I am talking about AND what it means for your shopping experience! When I have to take the kids to the store with me, it needs to be a trip with purpose and efficiency.

No trying on shoes or catching up on People in the book section while waiting for your pictures to develop!

Quakes- mini rice cakes that are actually yummy and don’t cause you to feel like you have gravel in your mouth! Preferably ranch but cheddar will do. A small bag! For fear that once they add liquid, their tummies will swell up and explode! Shared by both siblings, so you can work on something virtuous along the way! Maybe you call it indulgence or bribery or whatever. I call it a well-behaved trip.

(Note to self: NEVER forget the diaper bag even on the “just a few things” trip; 20 yellow, sticky, licked-but-not-clean fingers only means one more stop by the wipey aisle.)

You might have seen us a few times at the store and witnessed the “who will hold the bag” cat fight in the cart.

But with enough luck, a good bag o’something might even just get you down the shoe aisle, too!!!