The Waiting Game

Caption this photo! We stayed in a cabin for a few days and the boys were absolutely fascinated and intrigued by this contraption.

Also, the real reason I’m sharing this photo is to brag on this kid.

Waiting is one of the most fundamentally important skills we learn as we age.

Waiting is a skill that has never come naturally to Coops.

Sitting. Standing still. All so important.

For us, from the day Cooper could walk, he was running.

He ran into streets. He ran out doors. He ran towards water. Towards pools. Away from people. Towards traffic.

One time he dove into a street. I’ll never forget seeing his dad dive after him and pull him to safety by his leg. It traumatized us so much we were afraid to leave the house.

Often, eloping, running, wandering, all go hand-in-hand with an autism diagnosis.

Safety becomes the number one priority. How do you keep someone safe who doesn’t understand danger. And simultaneously craves it.

That was our life.

We have practiced waiting. And sitting. And standing for 9 years.

For his safety. For our sanity. For his future. Ours too.

And this last week, watching his progress, has been amazing. At the cabin, at the pool, near the road, parking lots, near the lake…all safe.

Watching him sit and wait. Watching him walk safely.

I’m so proud of him. I think when we are in our hardest moments, we agonize if life will ever get easier. We want that light at the end of the tunnel. We want it to get better.

We want to stand still. And we get weary. We are human.

I’m so proud of my son. Have faith parents.

And practice, practice, practice. Practice everything.

I know it’s hard. But keep setting goals and working towards them.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.