Welcome Wednesday plus a Giveaway:) – Tricia Saunders from LuvMum

This summer, the other half of business, Sensory Store Canada, teamed up with Tricia Saunders from LuvMum so we could combine our efforts in bringing awesome new sensory sensitive products to Canadian parents!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Tricia to the blog so you can get to know her a little better. Thanks for “stopping by” Tricia!

Lori: What made you decide to start LuvMum?

Tricia: I started LUVmum to help families find comfortable clothing solutions for their kids . Having kids and getting dressed in the morning is difficult enough – throw in tactile sensitivity and we get a morning melt down 9 out of 10 days guaranteed.
I’ve had many a morning meltdown in my own home and I wanted to find solutions for my child so that I could send him to school comfortable and happy.
It’s not easy for families to find comfortable solutions for their child with tactile sensitivity – most parents find they go from store to store searching, trying something and losing money in the process. What I longed for as a parent, when searching for comfortable clothing solutions, was a reliable store that understood my child’s needs. Since I couldn’t find one I decided to create LUVmum – a shop to help families “take the stress out of getting dressed.”

Lori: I can totally relate to that problem! That’s exactly why I started Sensory Store and exactly why I can tell we’re going to make a great team!

Tell us a little about your wonderful kids.

Tricia: I’m happy to be a stay at home mom to my children Aidan & Ella. Having a home based business has allowed me to be there each morning to take my kids to school and pick them up each day after school.
My oldest son, Aidan, is 9 years old – going into grade 4. My son was diagnosed with ADHD and Tourettes has many sensory difficulties including tactile, sound and light.
As Aidan has grown older he has been able to communicate more about how difficult it is for him to wear clothing with tags, socks with seams and uncomfortable tees and pants. Without having Aidan I would have never started LUVmum.
Helping Aidan with his clothing sensitivities has also made me realize that I too have the same tactile sensitivities.
As an adult we get to choose our own clothing but kids are not always listened to. Instead many adults choose to label their complaints as bad behavior and are not able to see that their child is crying out for help.
Aidan will tell you that he is proud of what LUVmum is all about – he is proud that his story has turned into something that now helps other kids just like him.

My daughter Ella is 6 years old – going into grade 2. She loves fashion – but what I have discovered is that she too would prefer to wear a seamless socks and comfortable soft tag free clothing LUVmum carries like Teres Kids and Soft. Most children when given the option will choose the most comfortable clothing available. The reason why Crocs are so comfortable is simple – they are comfortable! Birkenstocks have been around – because they are comfortable.

Both my children have inspired me in so many ways. While Aidan is fussy about comfort my daughter is fussy about style – each one helps me decide what we will offer at LUVmum – if my kids don’t like the product chances are we won’t carry it.

Lori: It’s amazing how having kids changes you isn’t it? Who knew that having kids with particular needs would lead you to a business where you’re now helping other families going through the same struggles as you.

I’d love to hear about some of your favourite products from LuvMum.

Tricia: I am a practical Mom so I always love to start with helping kids with a few items that are certain to make a difference.
Here is my list of must have items for back to school!
#1. SmartKnitKIDS Socks
#2. Knot Genie Hair Brush
#3. Soft Denim Pant
#4. Soft Tee’s (Short Sleeve or Long Sleeve)
#5. SmartKnitKIDS Seamless Undies
#6. Easy Daisies Magnetic Schedules

Lori: My son hasn’t tried out the undies yet. Can’t wait to see what he thinks of them!

Any big plans on the horizon for LuvMum?

Tricia: Right now my goal is to reach as many families as possible that could use our help. My goal is to grow and improve steadily to help offer as many comfortable solutions for families as needed.

Products are often chosen because of a request from a customer and I plan to continue to listen to what parents are asking for. My plans are to continue the way we started – offering comfortable clothing solutions & products, listening to families, listening to our children and looking for more wonderful products.

Lori: Sounds like an excellent plan! Thanks so much for joining me for Welcome Wednesday. It’s great to have the opportunity to get the word out to more parents about LuvMum’s great products!

LuvMum Giveaway – $25 Gift Certificate

Tricia has generous offered to giveaway a $25 gift certificate for her online store LuvMum. This is perfect timing as the Fall 2011 Collection of Soft Clothing is about to hit the shelves and this year there will even be jackets and coats for the kids!

How to Enter

There are several ways to enter and you can do one or all of them to get multiple entries!
1. Leave a comment below telling us which product on LuvMum you think your child would like.
2. “Like” LuvMum on Facebook and leave a comment on the facebook page about which LuvMum product you think your child would like.
3. “Like” Apples to Oranges on Facebook and leave a comment on the facebook page about which LuvMum product you think your child would like.
4. “Like” Sensory Store Canada on Facebook and leave a comment on the facebook page about which LuvMum product you think your child would like.

There you go! 4 ways to enter to win the $25 Gift Certificate for LuvMum!

The winner of the gift certificate will be drawn on Sunday, September 11 at 6pm PST.

Welcome Wednesdays – Dear School Personnel, Community Members & Neighbours

Today we welcome a very special woman who empowers the parents of special needs children around the world.  Marianne Russo, hailing from New York, is the President and Host of The Coffee Klatch where she interviews world renowned experts and internationally renowned children’s foundations.  The Coffee Klatch is a wealth of knowledge and support for parents of children with a variety of special needs.  I have had the honour of being a guest on The Coffee Klatch myself and it felt so wonderful to be able to bring my knowledge and expertise to parents through this amazing venue Marianne has established.

Recently, Marianne wrote a very heart-felt and compelling post on her blog, The Life Unexpected, that I have to admit, I’ve read several times now.  I’ve read it several times because it really speaks to me and reminds there are others who are going through similar struggles and triumphs.   I have thought many of the same things Marianne writes about, gone through many of the same struggles and come out the other side a stronger, better version of myself.

I’d like to share this blog post written by Marianne because I know that there are many of you who can also relate to it on a very deep level no matter where you are in your journey with your special needs child.  Thank you Marianne for allowing me to share this.

Dear School Personnel, Community Members and Neighbors

By Marianne Russo

To Whom it May Concern,

I am the parent of a special needs child.  I was overwhelmed, confused, heart broken and struggling to unravel the complexities before me.

Please do not pass judgement of me without knowing why I did not attend the school PTA breakfasts or community picnics.  Please take a few minutes to understand why I did not take you up on your offer to have lunch or grab a cup of coffee.  Although we see each other in the supermarket or at school functions, I don’t think you really ever knew me, actually, I can guarantee that you did not know me because just as my child was different, so was I.

I was in survival mode to keep my family in tact and to give my child the best quality of life possible.

I was presented with parental decisions that have torn me apart and kept me up more nights than I can possibly remember.

I had spent most days of the week at therapy and doctors appointments and most nights up researching treatments and medication options.

I was forced into isolation at times due to the stigma and misconceptions that are epidemic in our society.

I became proficient at prioritizing my life and learning to let the little things go, to look at others with compassion instead of tabloid material and to turn a blind eye to the stares or ignorant comments.

I did the best I could.

I survived.

I am one of the lucky ones, my child has blossomed and has exceeded all our expectations.

I have now become strong, I have become confident and I have become a fierce advocate for parents of special needs children.  The growth did not come without much pain and many tears but it came.

So I ask you, please

The next time you see a parent struggling with a raging child, a child terrified to go into school, a child making odd movements or sounds, a child that seems to be in a world of their own… .Be kind.  Give a smile of recognition for what that parent is going through.  Ask if there is anything you can do to help, give them a pat on the hand or offer for them to go ahead of you on line.

The next time you have a birthday party for your child remember that their child has a hard time with a lot of sensory issues and social situations.  Please send their child that invitation and know that more times than not they will not be able to attend but appreciate being included.  Understand that in order for their child to go to the party they may need to stay for a little while and please make them feel welcome.  When they let you know that their child cannot make the party consider inviting that child for a one on one playdate or an outing at the park.

The next time you are grading homework papers please understand that their child struggles, some with learning disabilities others with the exhaustion of  their disorders or the obsession with perfectionism.  The Perfectionism is not necessarily to have the answers right but to have it “feel” right for them.  They have spent hours doing what most can do in ten minutes. A paper returned with red circles and comments only hurts a child’s self esteem and causes school anxiety. Please understand that when they see the school come up on their caller ID their hearts sink, remember to tell them about all the gains their children are making as well as their deficits.  Take a minute before that call and know that they appreciate all you do and want  a collaborative  relationship in their child’s education.

The next time you are in the teachers lounge, please do not discuss their child.  Please do not make negative comments about their parenting or their child’s behavior, it gets back to them and it gets back to other parents in their community.

The next time you pass the cafeteria and see their child sitting alone please consider inviting that child to eat lunch in your classroom and be your helper that period.  Consider working with  guidance counselor to set up a lunch buddy group in a different area.

The next time they are at the CSE meeting planning their chid’s IEP know that they are educated, informed and confident knowing special education law.  Know that they have found the courage to stand up to conformity and will explore every option to give their child the differentiated educated that will show their gifts and not just their disabilities.  Understand that educating a child with special needs is one of the most difficult tasks a parent can face,  know that the last thing they want is an adversarial relationship.  Please show them the same respect they show you.

The next time you are creating an educational plan please take into consideration that their child may have specific interests or obsessions.  Foster those interests, instead of taking away that art class for a resource class consider adding an art class instead. Think outside the box, these parents do.

The next time you see that child in a wheelchair unable to speak or control their movements, don’t stare, don’t look away, say hello.  Do not assume that because this child is nonverbal that they are not intelligent or do not understand the awkwardness that you feel.  Take a moment out of your day to show kindness, support a parent enduring incredible pain and just give them a smile.

The next time your child comes home telling you how Johnny or Susie is so weird, take the time to teach about differences.  Take the time to talk  about compassion, acceptance and special needs. Please remember that your child learns from you.  Be a role model, mirror respect and discourage gossip.

The next time you hear a comment about how out of style these kids are, educate about tactile sensitivities and the fact that these kids cannot tolerate many textures and fits.  Imagine what it would feel like to have sandpaper in your stilettos or tight elastic holding on your tie.

The next time you see an out of control child do not assume it is bad parenting.  Understand that many of these disorders have an organic basis, are biological and are real illnesses. When you hear the word mental illness, take out the “mental” and remember  ”illness”.

Know that it is this generation that can stomp the stigma and create a world of acceptance.

The next time other parents are talking about “Those Kids” be our heroes, stand up for us.

The next time you see a special needs child know they are not just special in their needs but in their brilliance as well.

Take the time to meet our children.  Take the time to know us.