I have a confession to make. I think my youngest child is trying to kill me.That’s right, she wants me dead. No, I’m not exaggerating. I am absolutely convinced my darling Aoife wants her mommy six feet under. At first I thought she may have been after my money, but I remembered I don’t have […]
Diaper rash is often one of the more elusive challenges for blind and visually impaired parents. Without sight, the parent most often relies on their tactile sense of touch to determine if their infant is indeed coping with this uncomfortable condition. As a Peer Advisor for the American Foundation For the Blind’s (AFB) Vision Aware […]
When my first child, Nuala, was 8 months old, she developed a very severe bout of diaper rash. The problem was, I had absolutely no idea she even had it. I thought I was changing my daughter’s diaper often enough, approximately every hour. My mother had told me to sprinkle cornstarch on her buttocks after […]
This week, I had another “first” in the wild world of motherhood. After shopping in my local mall for a few hours, my almost pre-schooler, announced she had to “go to the potty right away.” Of course her declaration came just as my other darling child decided to throw the mother of all tantrums in […]
With multiple studies indicating the tremendous benefits early reading has on childhood development, have you ever wondered, “How does a blind or visually impaired parent read to their child?” Depending on the parent’s current state of vision, there are many alternative methods for cultivating your child’s love of reading as a visually impaired parent. Some […]
Can I get real with you? Like, really, “R-E-A-L.”? I’m a total Type A, epic control freak. I’ll own it. When it comes to my daughters, I will literally drive myself crazy trying to make everything absolutely perfect for them – whether it’s planning their birthday parties or choosing just the right outfit for our […]
Potty training your toddler is an exciting time! On one hand, you’ve reached the point in parenthood when you’re ready to bid farewell to diaper duty. On the other hand, the realization that your baby isn’t really a “baby” anymore is enough to break any parent’s heart. Blind parents need to be organized and systematic […]
Between “Santa’s” gifts for my two daughters and the presents we buy for family; I wrap a lot of packages throughout the holiday season. My visual impairment sometimes makes keeping track of who gets what a little challenging. While “Mostly Wonderful” reluctantly foots the bill for most of our Christmas expenses, making sure everything is […]
Tis’ the season for Christmas trees! Whether real or artificial, trimming a tree as a blind parent requires a little bit of ingenuity, especially if you have infants or toddlers under foot. Since having my first daughter in 2013, the ghosts of Christmas past have taught this mother a thing or two about safely managing her […]
Sighted or blind, the decision to breastfeed versus formula-feeding your baby is a personal one. Speak with your OBGYN or mid-wife regarding these options prior to giving birth. While some women may be unable to breastfeed due to health reasons; blindness will not impede your ability to successfully feed your baby using either method. Most […]