Victory Over Adversity Heather Laurie

Heavily decorated stores, carols blaring, family obligations looming, kids melting down from the 3rd accidental gluten filled cookie... Starts to make you wonder where the joy of the season went and how can we have a happy healthy holiday with your special needs family?



We are a high allergen large family with intense sensory needs. That means for us the holidays without these simple 4 tips (actually 5 I had to throw in the last because even adults forget) will help you have a very Merry Christmas.







Boundaries- Do you have rules for attending family get togethers? What if cousin has a fever? If you have rules and boundaries make them clear to everyone thus removing the possible burden of a last minute change in plans.



Family- What a great source of support and love! Sometimes a source of pain and anxiety for you and your child.



Pre-Planning- Thinking ahead now about your menu, how many parties you should attend, what clothing to wear can save you heart ache later!



Realistic Traditions- Consider strongly what traditions and how many are you pull along through the season. Most importanatly what is this tradition saying about your holiday season? Is it God centered or have we drifted?



Know When to Call It a Day! Bonus tip that everyone needs to refresh and understand. When you are sleepy, sick, your child is showing signs of melting down, your child uncle just called your child a name.... It's time to go home.



Using forethought planning and a set foundation for the holiday season helps my family of 7 have a better season. Allowing us all to love and enjoy our family time while staying as healthy as possible.



Subscribe: Please subscribe to my podcast feed at iTunes and each of the shows will pop up on your listening device as soon as it is released.



Social Media: I’m a talker so you can find me online in several places. Follow Special Needs Homeschooling on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and find my blog and more resources at my Special Needs Homeschooling blog.



Episode 4, Top 4 Tips for Special Needs Families in the Holidays



What tips help your sensory child through the holidays?





Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

 





We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!



KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.



Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

Momma's you are normally the main caregiver, homemaker, homeschooling educator in a home of littles. What happens though when you the go-to gal gets sick? What if its serious like hospital sick or long term sick? I have a lot of experience with being a sick momma of many and still making sure our home runs smoothly.



Lets talk today about how to make some changes to your life to help you overcome these difficulties. Also lets take some time consider what to do to prepare for a time such as this. How can you adjust your day to day living to be able to handle a sudden illness.



Caring for Littles including making sure everyone including daddy gets a share of your love and attention.



Homemaking how to keep the home clean and running. Real world things like cooking and budgeting for prolonged illness.



Homeschooling should you change your curriculum because you are chronically ill?



and more...



Also a blessed return from my own illness to podcasting and a warm thank you for your prayers and support.



Subscribe: Please subscribe to my podcast feed at iTunes and each of the shows will pop up on your listening device as soon as it is released.



Social Media: I’m a talker so you can find me online in several places. Follow Special Needs Homeschooling on Facebook and Pinterest, and find my blog and more resources at  Special Needs Homeschooling blog.











Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!









We'd like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas - Coming in Theaters November 17th!



Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.

The unexpected happens and you are suddenly living in emergency mode. Things are a blur. At this point you are not even sure you what you made for breakfast. Your body can’t keep up with that type of stress for long. Your family won’t be healthy and happy living in emergency mode.

This is not a lifestyle!

It’s time to make some changes!

One of my most sought after workshops is ‘Peace in an INTENSE home’. I hear you friends. Life is rough and with special needs in the house things can get out of control fast. Let me help you get your breath and find a way to make positive changes in your home to create a peace-filled home.



First step is to start on your knees in prayer. With God on your side let’s explore the other ways you can help yourself get out of emergency mode. Also, we will be talking about how to help others help us. Creating a strong support system to help you and your family in times of trouble.



 







 



Join me today in talking emergency mode and stressed living. Whether this is an acute or chronic issue its time to adjust and bring peace to our families.



Subscribe: Please subscribe to my podcast feed at iTunes and each of the shows will pop up on your listening device as soon as it is released.



Social Media: I’m a talker so you can find me online in several places. Follow Special Needs Homeschooling on Facebook and Pinterest, and find my blog and more resources at my Special Needs Homeschooling blog.

You want us to stopping eating all gluten and dairy? Are you crazy I have 3 kids under 5 and they need their milk! I was a dairy farmer as a child, milk couldn't be bad could it? And my BIG Italian family is expecting me to cook Thanksgiving dinner in less than 3 weeks. I can't just wish everything gluten free.



When our child's neurologist and later their developmental pediatrician strongly recommended we cut out a lengthy list of foods I didn't understand how this could change a child's behavior, learning, or even their basic health other than weight. I had a narrow view on how food impacts a person's life. I now realize for my child changing their food was a foundational need in their life. Even to this day 13 years later!







Join me and find out how food can cause strife in your home and how to make that better! How to use your homeschooling lifestyle to correct food allergies and sensitivities. How I use dietary changes to help my 5 children regulate their behaviors and health.



Subscribe: Please subscribe to my podcast feed at iTunes and each of the shows will pop up on your listening device as soon as it is released.



Social Media: I’m a talker so you can find me online in several places. Follow Special Needs Homeschooling on Facebook and Pinterest, and find my blog and more resources at my Special Needs Homeschooling blog.



Episode 2, Food Allergens Causing Strife?



 

Welcome my friends! I am excited to be starting on this podcasting adventure with you!



Just the facts ma'am... My name is Heather Laurie. I have a wonderful husband Chris Laurie. We have 5 children and 3 angels.



I have homeschooled our children through their entire education, K through graduation. Right now we are outnumbered by pre-teens and teens but loving this phase in life.



When Chris and I met and fell in love in boot camp we were not saved. As we faced the stillbirth of our second child a beautiful daughter we began searching for God in a meaningful way. Through that harsh adversity we were saved. We also found a church community and a homeschooling community. The Lord was there waiting for us to call out and then He blessed us abundantly.. to this day those blessings continue all my children have a real and meaningful relationship with God. In part due to our loss of precious Sarah.







I know what it is like to homeschool with children that have special needs. Thus my blog/speaking/writing life at specialneedshomeschooling.com I also know what it is like to be mom with a chronic illness. We have a disease called mitochondrial disease and it affects the kids and I. There is no cure or treatment at this time. There is HOPE!



My friends I have been in hospice and spent months in the hospital. I have watched my child struggle with the simplest things like colors and regressed to 'lose' the alphabet 3 times. I have also watched those same lovely children become young adults and far exceed doctor's statistics.



My children have given their heart and soul to Jesus. Sure we struggle and life can be tough while going through storms but I know there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I know together we can knit a community together that supports and encourages us on to be stronger and rely upon the Lord for Victory!