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The Day a Kind Stranger Reminded Me I Wasn’t Alone
You know, our brains are pretty amazing at sorting through the chaos of the world around us—like the sights, sounds, and smells. But for my son, it’s like a sensory blender gone haywire. A gentle touch might feel like sandpaper to him, and loud noises can bring him to tears.
Crowded spaces? Forget it. They can be so overwhelming that he just goes into overdrive. He’ll run, jump, spin, and sometimes even yell just to cope with the overstimulation. Airports, therefore, are a real challenge. While the vibrations on the flight can soothe him, the chaos of luggage checks, security lines, and the long waits can send him into a tailspin.
We usually spend weeks preparing for our trips—talking about the airport, making checklists, and packing special bags filled with a deep pressure vest, headphones, and calming toys. But even with all that preparation, things can still go sideways.
Take our recent return from Texas, for instance. By the time we reached baggage claim in New York, my little guy was so exhausted and overwhelmed that he completely lost it. There I was, on the grimy floor of LaGuardia, trying to hold onto a screaming 5-year-old while also keeping an eye out for our bags and driver. I was on the verge of tears myself when a woman who had sat next to us on the flight appeared out of nowhere. She knelt down beside us and asked my son what his favorite jelly bean color was. He looked a bit stunned but managed to answer.
Then she suggested using his pretend binoculars to help spot our luggage, and it worked! Before long, our bags arrived and so did our driver. I was so grateful for her kindness; she reminded me that even in those tough parenting moments, we aren’t truly alone.
It’s so easy to focus on the disapproving stares and the people who don’t get it, but then there are gems like that woman who can make all the difference. Thank goodness for kind souls in this chaotic world!
If you’re navigating a similar journey, check out some resources like this one from Make a Mom for guidance on intracevical insemination, or explore CCRM IVF’s blog for even more insights. And if you’re interested in tips for home insemination, give this link a look!
In the end, remember, you’re not alone in this parenting adventure.