Is any family normal?
If the opposite of normal is abnormal where do you draw the lines?
Synonyms of normal might include usual, standard, typical, common, ordinary, conventional, to name a few. Do they describe your family? Those words don’t describe my family and for that I am quite grateful.
I have an autistic son; I have no idea what it’s like to have a ‘normal’ son because he is MY normal. In much the same way I have a fiercely tenacious daughter, it scares me at times but it’s quite ‘normal’ in our house. I really don’t consider either of them normal; they are exceptional in every way.
One of my biggest frustrations has been the measuring stick that is used in schools these days. My daughter was constantly told that she should be less sensitive. WHY? Don’t we need sensitive people in the world? My son had to learn to read from fiction books that didn’t make any sense to him, they seemed pointless. But give him a technical article about a ship or boat or train and he could read every word and remember every fact. Why was this so much of a problem?
At times I have craved normality, feeling that we just limp from one drama to another, each one requiring more tolerance, patience and strength than the last and taking what little energy that I seem to have left these days. But I don’t think there is one that we haven’t conquered. I realise now that doesn’t make us normal – that makes us successful. But I am only just beginning to see this.
Challenges Choices Changes 
I love this! I still crave “normal” sometimes, but our normal is beautiful too. Just different 🙂
Thank you! This is my place to vent & ask questions of others – I’m fascinated by people and have started blogging to try & open myself up from what has been quite an isolating time for very many reasons. I am encouraged by the very friendly response I have had so far. 🙂
It’s cliche, but can’t be said enough: Being normal is overrated. It’s suffocating and forces many of us to be other than ourselves. Oftentimes, being normal means bring unnatural. It’s a big fat crying shame and it’s especially sad that we see it so much in the education system. How to be a good citizen – not a healthy, satisfied human being.
Imagine how things would change if the education system switched their focus to nurturing healthy, satisfied human beings?
Great post! I’ve had a far from “normal” life, work with homeless children in the area of education, and have volunteered for many years with adults with developmental disabilities. I think I prefer my abnormal “normal” to whatever it is that “normal” is supposed to be. Check out my most recent post: http://lulufille.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/degrees-of-reality/.
I’d agree with you. Your blog looks really interesting – I have saved it for a more thorough read later. Just after you commented, this blog also came my way via my other twitter persona (I work with the local Sea Cadets) and I thought you might find it useful or interesting http://blog.globalyouthjustice.org/?p=2600 there are some good downloads. x
Thank you for the link! It had a lot of interesting information. I also find it interesting that there seems to be a decent amount of advocates out there for kids/teens who are already delinquents, drug addicts, etc. However, there is not much out there to catch children who are largely at risk before they get to that point.
Have you thought of trying to link up with others to try & achieve this? What do you think it would need?