Happiness Interview with Debi

Debi is an amazing mom to an equally amazing kiddo. Debi's daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was about 3 years old, and I was her daughter's SLP for several of those early years. I really loved working with Debi and her daughter--both have such creative and fun spirits. Debi is one of those people who is at once sarcastic, sincere, funny, and deep, and I was excited to see what she had to say about happiness. Here are her answers to my happiness questions:

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1. What's a little thing you do regularly that makes you happy?
I cuddle up in bed and read a good quote book.

2. When you're feeling blue, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
I look at anything to do with my daughter. A picture of her, a picture she has colored, something she has written...anything...

3. What do you want your child to know about happiness?
Happiness is more important than money, fame, or any material possession. Having happiness is having true life. Without it our spirit dies.

4. What advice would you offer to other moms of children with special needs about life and happiness?
Enjoy every second that you can with your child. Grab chances to savor the quiet. If you listen to your child more than you worry about your child, you can learn a lot about happiness and even more about life. Let go of the guilt that a disability can hang over your head. Your child does not hold you accountable for what is wrong with them; they only see how you help life become right for them. Smile and show your child that you love them and are happy with them just the way they are. Oh! Don't forget to grab some chocolate every chance you get!

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"Your child does not hold you accountable for what is wrong with them; they only see how you help life become right for them."

I love this quote. I think every parent needs to remember this, not just parents of children with special needs.



How do you make life "become right" for the children in your life?