Maybe you are celebrating with your children; maybe with your own mother. This day might be a busy day or a quiet day.  Perhaps even bittersweet if you are missing your mother or a child (or children). It does not matter how you celebrate or what you do.  MOST wishes all [...]]]>

Maybe you are celebrating with your children; maybe with your own mother. This day might be a busy day or a quiet day.  Perhaps even bittersweet if you are missing your mother or a child (or children). It does not matter how you celebrate or what you do.  MOST wishes all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day! Thanks to Lisa DiBona, MOST Board member, for this article.

When you have multiples, being a Mom can mean days of exhaustion, as well as days of milestones and excitement that only another mother of multiples can understand. It’s a day of homemade cards and gifts, that you’ll treasure forever and maybe even breakfast in bed, which is priceless, even if it’s only Cheerios.

Mother’s Day is more than just a day to send Mom a card and some flowers. It’s a day to reflect on all that has gone on for the last year. A day to slow down and remember to say thank you for all the little things that your Mom does for you.

Some families have traditions for Mother’s Day. We pack a picnic lunch and head to the park, where Mom gets to watch the kids and Dad gets to run after them. Our picnic basket is filled with sandwiches and drinks as we wait for the ice cream man to arrive. We always invite Grandma and Pop, so Pop can help with the running around. Our secret hope is that the kids will be so tired, that bedtime will come just a little bit earlier and Mom can actually put her feet up for a few minutes to reflect on the day.

Some families have children make their mothers cards or other gifts. What does your family do?

Craft ideas:

Projects to make for Mother’s Day

Paper tissue flowers: Take tissues and a pipe cleaner. Lay the tissues flat, take the pipe cleaner and gather the tissues in the middle, twist the pipe cleaner round the tissues and then open up the tissues on each side. You have a beautiful flower that will last forever. Looks really nice if you use colored tissues and spray a little of Mom’s favorite perfume on the ‘flowers’. Visit Little Art Monkeys for more details.

MOST blogs:

Mother’s Day Memories of Mommy Milestones

Quiet, What Quiet? One Couple’s Perspective on Life with Triplets – a mom’s view of life with triplets

Happy Mother’s Day

At the beginning of the summer school holidays I took the children (GBB triplets), just 8-years-old, to the pool . It was one of [...]]]>

Jump Right In!

Judy Challoner, mom to Nick, Kevin, & Leigh, shares part of a day with her triplets, one with Asperger’s. Links for web resources and MOST articles are at the end.

At the beginning of the summer school holidays I took the children (GBB triplets), just 8-years-old, to the pool . It was one of those unbelievable 80 degree Sundays, a perfect day for playing in this big wading pool. Sunscreen, water bottles, towels, toy boats – we were set. No one else was there, unbelievable considering the temperature, and my three were in heaven.

After half an hour or so two boys, brothers, came and joined in the water play with Leigh, Nick and Kevin. Things were going well. I could see Kevin talking with these two boys and actually playing a game with them. Other families with younger children arrived and although not crowded, the activity and noise level definitely increased. Then it happened. Out of the blue Kevin began splashing and kicking the two boys and cursing them out. I jumped in the pool and waded toward him.

Unfortunately another mother was closer to the melee and saw what was happening. She reached for Kevin to help stop him before I did. For her efforts she got several quick blows, kicks, and curses – poor lady. I reached Kevin, dragged him away apologizing, “My son is autistic and sometimes blows.” Advocacy in a nutshell. As I got him out of the pool I explained to the other two that we had to go home, and much to their credit Nick and Leigh got out promptly. They were drying off and getting dressed when Kevin slipped out of my grasp (he’s 75 1bs. and was very wet and slippery). In a moment he was back splashing and slapping the two boys. Horrified, I apologized to their Dad – same curt explanation, plunged in after Kevin, dragged him out amid howls and kicks, and tried to calm him down. It was useless.

Just as I had herded him away from the pool area, my arms full of wet towels, swim suits, etc., he was gone again. This time the two boys retaliated, pretty understandably, and splashed and kicked at him. Once more I went wading, this time furious with the whole scene, dragged him out, yelled at my other two to schlep our stuff, and force marched them all to the van. Perfect mothering.

Once there, Kevin remembered the ice-cream treat we were planning on having on the way home. He forgot the caveat of “for good behavior.” And when reminded of this, he began demolishing the van, screaming all kinds of choice things at life in general and me. Driving home with all the windows down (it was hot, remember?), quite a few heads turned, and by now I was sobbing. But there was good news. My husband, Peter, was home – he travels a lot – and he could hold and rock Kevin until he calmed down. This took about an hour, and then Kevin fell asleep for a good five or six hours. (Shutting down like this in response to emotional trauma is not atypical for Kevin, or for other kids on the Autism Disorder Spectrum for that matter.) And best of all, Grandpa just happened to stop by and willingly took Leigh and Nick for that much deserved ice cream. I was still uselessly sobbing.

The next day Kevin could tell me the reason for his meltdown. One of the boys changed the rules of the game and Kevin hadn’t like the new rule. This is classic response by someone with Autism whose motto is “change is evil.” Now on the one hand I was delighted he could verbalize what had happened as he saw it because then we could go on to talk about choices and why fighting wasn’t a good one to make. Better mothering! But on the other hand I despaired for Kevin and our family. Would a simple outing, such as this one, to the Mermaid pool ever be “normal?” Would Kevin forever be at the mercy of his sensory environment and his social-communication deficits? Would Leigh and Nick begin to resent the impact Kevin’s autistic behavior was having on them? And how long will Peter and I feel as if we are walking on eggshells? And under those cracking eggshells is a volcano, ready to erupt seemingly without warning. So much for a diagnosis of mild Asperger’s!

Upon reflection and after several weeks of emailing another mom, whose daughter also has Asperger Syndrome, I now know these issues and feelings are all “normal” for a family with ASD. Collectively we know so much, and reaching out can really diminish the burden and isolation a family with ASD carries and faces each day. Sharing stories like this and discussing ideas and approaches may give us the ongoing courage and humor we need to advocate for all our children.

Articles from MOST: These articles are on sale for the next month

How My Triplet Pregnancy Prepared Me for an Autism Diagnosis

A mom shares her experiences with 2 autistic children and the challenge to find the best method to help them. She learned about a method called, Applied Behavior Analysis, which she began with the children, with the help of a therapist on a one-on-one in order to help them learn to communicate, and socially interact with others.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Doctors are finding new ways to use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) since the therapy began in the 1950’s. Read about some of the innovative uses of this therapy, and stories from 2 MOST families whose children have undergone HBOT for treatment of Cerebral Palsy and Autism.

Multiples, Autism & ABA Therapy

A mom shares her experiences with 2 autistic children and the challenge to find the best method to help them. She learned about a method called, Applied Behavior Analysis, which she began with the children, with the help of a therapist on a one-on-one in order to help them learn to communicate, and socially interact with others

Therapeutic Listening

One family explains how therapeutic listening helps its son with his sensory problems, as well as how this therapy can benefit other children dealing with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration syndrome, and other medical challenges.

Using Social Building Blocks

Michelle G. Winner, speech language pathologist, discusses the use of social skills development in children with social deficits, such as those on the autism spectrum, to improve their social thinking.

When Play Isn’t Fun

A mother shares that one of her children has difficulty coping with experiences involving his senses. The author shares with this mother, and our readers, information about Sensory Integration Dysfunction and describes the behavioral characteristics, the need for sensitivity to their special needs and environment, and a good therapy program.

Resources on the web:

Autism Society

Autism Speaks

Autism in the Classroom (WebMD)

CDC-New Data on Autism Spectrum Disorders

M-CHAT(Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) An autism screening tool designed to identify children 16 to 30 months of age who should receive a more thorough assessment for possible early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental delay.

National Volunteer Week

This year National Volunteer Week is April 15-21 and MOST [...]]]> April 2012

National Volunteer Week

This year National Volunteer Week is April 15-21 and MOST gives a big THANKS to all our volunteers! Not only this week, but every week, we are thankful for our many volunteers who reach out to families in their local communities, their state, even across the country. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Without our volunteers we would not be the number one national non-profit for multiple birth families and have been able to serve the 25,000 plus families over the last quarter century!

In 2011 our volunteers dedicated many hours supporting, educating and advocating for other multiple birth families, and doing behind the scenes work in the MOST office, via social media, fundraising, and photo tagging. We appreciate each and every one of our volunteers!  We will be shining the spotlight on  some of the our very dedicated volunteers in upcoming posts on MOST’s Stories from the Heart blog stay tuned!

Thank you for you your continued dedication!

Read more about MOST volunteers and how to become one and help other multiple birth parents.

Ready to be a volunteer? Fill out the application here. MOST could use some help with the blog, newsletter and flickr. If you are interested, please contact us.

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April is….Multiple Birth Awareness Month and Autism Awareness Month

Did you know that in 2009, 1 in every 30 babies born in the United States was a twin?

What a great month to celebrate our multiple birth children! Visit the MOST FAQ’s for even more info on multiple births! Whether you are expecting multiples, have infants, toddlers or school age children, MOST has great info and resources for you!

Did you know autism prevalence in the United States is now 1 in 88? Are you a parent of multiples with one or more children on the autism spectrum? MOST offers information and support.

New stats from autism research says that 1 in every 88 children is on the autism spectrum. Please feel free to join other multiple birth families that include an autism spectrum diagnosis on the MOST Family Forums.  The MOST Family Forums are private, member-only areas to discuss any issue or to ask any question! Purchase articles about families dealing with autism diagnosis in their families at the MOST Supertwins store. These articles are at a reduced price for this month!

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MOST MOM Gathering -Seattle: July 2012

Come join us! If you ARE or were EVER a MOST member you are invited to attend the MOST MOM Gathering July 12-15 2012. Join other Moms Of Multiples at the Hampton Inn and Suites. Follow the conversation on the MOST Forums-MOST Events (members only) or  on a special facebook group.  Spread the news! If you would like to volunteer to help with the MOM gathering or want more information, please contact Terry at the MOST office (631) 859-1110 or email her at mostmeminfo@mostonline.org

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MOST Wonderful Family Carnival

MOST Wonderful Carnival

We have received many questions about the Family Carnival for this year.  And, YES, there will be one this year. We don’t know the date yet but it will be in the latter half of June. This free event is for the immediate family of any MOST member. Hope you can come!

Keep in the loop on Facebook, the MOST Family Forums and next month’s MOST eNews.

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Stories from the Heart Blog

• At age 3, Evie is coming home!
• 2011 Adopt A Family Thank You Messages
• Guest Blogger: Sennie- Becoming a Mom
• Putting Multiples and More Though College: One Family’s Experience

Have an idea for an article you’d like to read about? Have an article to share? Please let us know.

Here are some helpful links associated with the MOST blog:

• Put a blog widget on your blog, site, or profile
• Become a Guest Blogger for the MOST blog
• Place an ad on the MOST blog

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Topics on the MOST Forums

Visit the MOST Family Support Forums with over 1,500 users and 28,600 topics! ! To check out the following posts go to the main MOST Family Forum page. As a MOST member you can read and post on any topic for the public or member only!

• QQS (Member Only): Tummy Tuck or not?
• Announcements About Members (Members Only): Meet (and greet) our newest members!
• MOST Events (Members Only): Activities in Seattle July 2012

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MOST Membership - Join MOST for one-time only dues of just $45.00.

What does MOST offer? Some of the programs offered include one-on-one support, the MOST website, in-depth blog articles, advocacy efforts, outreach programs, development and provision of quality resources and more. MOST membership dues also allow us to maintain secure, moderated members-only forums* and extend invitations to members for special events like the MOST Wonderful Carnival. We invite you to join us!

Help us spread the word about how economical it is to become a permanent part of MOST’s thriving community of multiple birth families.

*All MOST members are required to abide by the MOST Forum Terms of Agreement to maintain forum access.

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Shop and Support MOST!

MOST will recieve a $5 donation if you try out the iGive button! And another $5 after your first purchase!

Make a purchase from any of hundreds of brand name stores at iGive and a portion of each sale is donated to MOST!