The hardest thing about being a parent is.............

The hardest thing about being a parent is letting your children find their own way. I wrote a previous post on an interesting stuttering situation with a teen. My 15 year old daughter, who does not stutter, has been working so hard in school. She is a bright girl and I am proud of her, but as a mother can't help worrying about her lack of sleep and constant studying. I know many parents reading this are laughing saying how can you worry about a child studying too much??? I guess I don't want to see her stressed out at a young age. I know she will do well but want her to enjoy the social parts of life too. So I have had to back off and let her be. Not easy. It is the same when you provide speech therapy for your child and you think they aren't trying hard to be fluent. Sometimes you have to back off and let them find their way. Start by asking them what they want out of speech therapy? How does stuttering impact them? How do THEY feel when they have practiced for hours and the tools don't seem to be effective? Maybe reflect, oh that must be so frustrating for you. How can I help? Do you want to write this down and talk to your speech therapist about this? Then once you do this you can talk about how to improve the situation. I don't know all the answers about parenting, but I know PWS need encouragement, follow up, understanding, practice and support.

*****Also, there is an interesting blog post on Sept. 24 by Pam Mertz, a covert PWS. Check it out.
www.stutterrockstar.wordpress.com

National Stuttering Association Convention 2008

I returned home from the NSA convention in NJ. I am filled with emotions on so many levels. First, I presented for the second time at the convention. It is truly a miracle that I was able to get up there in front of an audience and speak. Who would have thought a one time severe stutterer who couldn't say her name or answer the phone could speak in front of parents and professionals? This year I was lucky to present with Dr. Jason Davidow of Hofstra University. He is a SLP and PWS as well. There is something remarkable about presenting with another PWS who has similar fears as myself. I think the talk went well!! Did we stutter? Yes, but we communicated so well and tried the best we could under stress to use our tools. Secondly, I am in awe of the children and teens who can put on plays and talk in front of a room filled with mainly adults and express themselves so beautifully despite their stuttering. They have so much courage and I admire them. I hope anyone reading this who stutters knows that we can accept the fact that we stutter while still working on effective communication skills. There is help available for those who choose the road to improving fluency in their lives! Thank you again to the NSA for helping me overcome my fear of public speaking. A message to the kids-always always always believe in yourself. Dreams really do come true!!