I have been thinking about writing parenting essays since I retired from the Co-op last year, but for now it's still on the back-burner. I think because writing seriously about raising the Kinglet is such an emotional investment... also because The Novel That Ate My Life is still my first creative priority.
In the meantime, I like blogging about this because I feel like it's doing something positive about what we are going through. Oppositional Defiant Disorder is relatively new in the media conversation, and I like the idea of putting our voice out there.
A lot of the literature that I have read about it (and about kids like the Kinglet, diagnosis or no) is really lacking. We went to B&N last week and in the "kids with special needs section" there are like a 100 books on ADHD, 100 books on Autism and Aspergers, and then one each of random other disorders and developmental issues. And the books they did have for ODD just pissed me off. I don't think people are giving it real thought.
So for now it makes me feel like writing these open posts is at least making some small contribution. Maybe once the Kinglet is in school and this novel is off my back, I can start turning some of it into professional articles to take to a larger audience. :)
:) Yeah, I really think you should finish your novel first. It's really noble of you to share all of this information because I'm sure that there are other parents that are in the same boat as you. And they probably know even less about what to do, so I hope that they find their way to these posts.
And I know how you feel about the lack of 'special needs' books. I've been trying to find something for Mason's texture and eating issues and there's nothing there. So who knows? Maybe you'll be the one to write an informative and helpful book on ODD. Something that will really get people to talk about how to help the parents and their child(ren).
I'm sure that once your novel is finished and the Kinglet is in school you'll have a much clearer idea of what to do next with your writing career. You can do it!
I have been thinking about writing parenting essays since I retired from the Co-op last year, but for now it's still on the back-burner. I think because writing seriously about raising the Kinglet is such an emotional investment... also because The Novel That Ate My Life is still my first creative priority.
In the meantime, I like blogging about this because I feel like it's doing something positive about what we are going through. Oppositional Defiant Disorder is relatively new in the media conversation, and I like the idea of putting our voice out there.
A lot of the literature that I have read about it (and about kids like the Kinglet, diagnosis or no) is really lacking. We went to B&N last week and in the "kids with special needs section" there are like a 100 books on ADHD, 100 books on Autism and Aspergers, and then one each of random other disorders and developmental issues. And the books they did have for ODD just pissed me off. I don't think people are giving it real thought.
So for now it makes me feel like writing these open posts is at least making some small contribution. Maybe once the Kinglet is in school and this novel is off my back, I can start turning some of it into professional articles to take to a larger audience. :)
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And I know how you feel about the lack of 'special needs' books. I've been trying to find something for Mason's texture and eating issues and there's nothing there. So who knows? Maybe you'll be the one to write an informative and helpful book on ODD. Something that will really get people to talk about how to help the parents and their child(ren).
I'm sure that once your novel is finished and the Kinglet is in school you'll have a much clearer idea of what to do next with your writing career. You can do it!
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