What Do I Know?

     That’s a loaded question!  What do any of us know?  Sometimes not enough.  Especially when it comes to parenting.

     There was that one evening, a few years ago.  I was convinced that my son was being dishonest.  He absolutely refused to tell me what I thought was the truth.  I decided that, until he was honest, I would withhold his treasured stuffed animal.  This brilliant tactic inspired rage on his part.  Yeah, I know – not so brilliant.  Had I only known…

     What I didn’t know at that time was that my son’s High Functioning Autism (HFA) gave him an extreme view of truth and justice.  It turns out that he was being honest.  It was almost impossible for him to be dishonest.  When I was unfair and withheld his cherished stuffed animal, that was unthinkable to him. 

     It took a while to realize my ignorance and foolishness from that night.  But I did.  I have realized that I can trust him.  I am learning how he sees the world and trying to help him find his own unique success in life.  I have high hopes for him, as I have for all my kiddos.

     We have four kids.  Each is unique.  Four distinct personalities.  Four amazing people.  They remind me of the child psychologist who started his practice with four theories and no children.  Ten years later, he had four children and no theories.  Those four awesome humans constantly surprise me with their uniqueness and growth.

     So, what do I know about parenting?  After nineteen years, a lot, and never enough.  I am learning constantly, loving them consistently, and moving forward when I blow it. 

     To be honest, that’s a big part of what compelled me to write the Wil Clarey series.  I want to give people an insight into the life of a teen with HFA.  I don’t believe that Wil is a typical teen with HFA.  I don’t believe that there is a typical teen with HFA. 

     Wil is unique (not my son with another name).  He displays some of the characteristics of HFA, but not all.  He and those around him learn to deal with those traits in a constructive way, growing in his strengths and dealing with his weakness.  Kind of sounds like how we all deal with life.  Maybe Wil is actually each of us. 

     If you would like to know more about the Wil Clarey series, please contact me at Solanowriting @outlook.com.  I am willing to release a limited number of prerelease digital copies of Wil Clarey: A Kerryville Summer to those willing to review it.  Stay tuned here for publication news as I meet with agents and editors next week!  Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated during that time (April 12-15^th)