Chapter 1: A New Day Begins

Owen awoke refreshed, ready to embrace the day. We rose together, and he snuggled up under the blanket with me, radiating calmness—a moment I truly appreciated. He has recently returned to enjoying the same videos he loved during his toddler years. While he often uses voice activation to search for content, he now prefers me to read the titles aloud and assist him in finding them. It feels as if we’ve traveled back in time. This repetition seems beneficial, allowing his sharp mind to revisit concepts he may not have fully grasped before.

As the day progressed, Owen expressed his desire to wear shorts again, which delights me. He managed to put his shoes on the correct feet without any assistance, a small victory that we both celebrated.

He was thrilled to wait for the bus, initially looking in the usual direction, only to discover it was coming from the opposite side. When I suggested he turn around, his face lit up with joy. He dashed toward me, and soon after, he boarded the bus, reminding me of his music class that day.

When I arrived to pick him up, I could hear him chatting with the aide, proudly announcing, "Mommy is coming!" My heart swells at these moments of connection. As we walked to the car, he mentioned needing to behave because he wanted to go swimming on Friday. I constantly reinforce the importance of calm communication, hoping to nurture those conversations.

During our drive to therapy, he performed wonderfully, and his music therapist confirmed that he had an excellent day—music to my ears! He sang joyfully on the way home and appeared more receptive to instructions. When he began to scream at a traffic light, I reminded him that his behavior would influence whether he could go swimming, which helped him regain his composure.

After therapy, Owen opted to stay home instead of going out. His vision therapy is on hold for a few weeks, so we spent quality time playing games and he entertained me with songs in multiple languages. He kept repeating how he needed to behave for the pool. When the timer rang, he brought me his tablet, marking yet another victory for us today.

The most challenging aspects often serve as the greatest lessons. Embracing today while looking forward to tomorrow will lead us to our most significant achievements. Although the past may have its difficulties, the narrative of tomorrow is still being written. Each day, I remind Owen of his incredible potential: "Believe in yourself, and everything else will follow." Sending smiles to all and hoping for sweet moments ahead!

In this video, “Monday Manners: Polite or Impolite?” from FOX 7 Austin, you’ll find discussions that can help guide children in understanding social cues and appropriate behavior.

Another insightful take on manners is presented in “Monday Manners: Polite or Impolite?” from FOX 7 Austin, emphasizing the importance of politeness in daily interactions.