Dear Family,
I know we just spent two weeks together at a family reunion and I did have a good time, but there are a few things I'd like to get off my chest.
1. To the people who think my kid is "normal". While I'm tickled to death that he's made so much progress that he seems typical, please don't disregard his hard work and all the time and energy we have spent. It isn't because "Doctor these days just want to slap a label on kids" or because "that's how the schools get their money from the government". The kid has some real challenges, but, yay, he's a great kid.
2. No, he doesn't act "that way" because we are too strict or too laid back, depends on who you talk to. We pick our battles because he is the person he is and his dad and I have a sixth sense for when we need to step in and when we need to let it slide. Don't second guess my parenting.
3. "If he was my kid...." Take him for a week and we'll talk. Yes, I heard what you said, did you really think my sister wouldn't tell me? You don't have kids. Since your dogs aren't house broken, bark constantly, bite, and you brought them even after being asked to leave them home, it's probably good you don't have kids.
4. We aren't mean. He doesn't eat certain foods because he is ALLERGIC to them! He's cool with it, why aren't you?
5. Yes, he is loud, he talks a lot, he runs around, and he eats a lot. He likes to pee outside, forgets to knock and close the door, and he hates to wash his hands. He picks up dead bugs and then eats food without washing his hands. He suffers from BCS, otherwise known as Being a Child Syndrome. Darling BIL, he's an eight year old boy, they are disgusting, that is what they do.
6. To the arm chair developmental pediatricians, just because you read an article or saw a movie on the Lifetime channel, you are not qualified to treat or diagnosis my child. Seriously, if he's baffled professionals, what make you think you can diagnosis him? Do you really think I haven't heard of or researched any of diagnosis you are talking about? And yes, we have heard of and/or tried GFCF diet, HBOT, chiropractor, chelation, ABA, Jenny McCarthy, dye/preservative free diet, DIR, Floor time, hippo therapy, music therapy, martial arts, art therapy, and spanking (not a therapy or treatment).
Sincerely,
Me
PS Mom, thanks for saying "He's a wonderful kid and you've done an amazing job with him."
I know we just spent two weeks together at a family reunion and I did have a good time, but there are a few things I'd like to get off my chest.
1. To the people who think my kid is "normal". While I'm tickled to death that he's made so much progress that he seems typical, please don't disregard his hard work and all the time and energy we have spent. It isn't because "Doctor these days just want to slap a label on kids" or because "that's how the schools get their money from the government". The kid has some real challenges, but, yay, he's a great kid.
2. No, he doesn't act "that way" because we are too strict or too laid back, depends on who you talk to. We pick our battles because he is the person he is and his dad and I have a sixth sense for when we need to step in and when we need to let it slide. Don't second guess my parenting.
3. "If he was my kid...." Take him for a week and we'll talk. Yes, I heard what you said, did you really think my sister wouldn't tell me? You don't have kids. Since your dogs aren't house broken, bark constantly, bite, and you brought them even after being asked to leave them home, it's probably good you don't have kids.
4. We aren't mean. He doesn't eat certain foods because he is ALLERGIC to them! He's cool with it, why aren't you?
5. Yes, he is loud, he talks a lot, he runs around, and he eats a lot. He likes to pee outside, forgets to knock and close the door, and he hates to wash his hands. He picks up dead bugs and then eats food without washing his hands. He suffers from BCS, otherwise known as Being a Child Syndrome. Darling BIL, he's an eight year old boy, they are disgusting, that is what they do.
6. To the arm chair developmental pediatricians, just because you read an article or saw a movie on the Lifetime channel, you are not qualified to treat or diagnosis my child. Seriously, if he's baffled professionals, what make you think you can diagnosis him? Do you really think I haven't heard of or researched any of diagnosis you are talking about? And yes, we have heard of and/or tried GFCF diet, HBOT, chiropractor, chelation, ABA, Jenny McCarthy, dye/preservative free diet, DIR, Floor time, hippo therapy, music therapy, martial arts, art therapy, and spanking (not a therapy or treatment).
Sincerely,
Me
PS Mom, thanks for saying "He's a wonderful kid and you've done an amazing job with him."
) Big, big hugs to you!!! 
. sounds like you are a solid, caring, knowledgeable mama, and have a typical family - i.e., one that simply can't help but SUGGEST this, that, and the other. hope you're back home, and able to really just let these people's voices take a place somewhere they belong - like the garbage. or the mdc special needs page 
My letter to them would be kinda like this, but 7k times more annoyed.
Family can freak me out! Give your mom a hug for me. I love her!
while #2 displays more "acceptable" behavior. Our immediate family is supportive, it's everyone else...
