I first used the phrase “vacant dad” a couple of years ago to describe a phenomenon we’re seeing in the special needs community. As I interact daily within the special-needs community, I am convinced that we have an epidemic of vacant dads. I call it the Vacant Dad Syndrome. What exactly is a “vacant Read More…
The Christmas Gift for Mom
Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined this would happen. It certainly wasn’t the path she had planned out for her life. When she initially got the news she was stunned. After all, this pregnancy wasn’t even expected in the first place. But to then get the news that this child wouldn’t Read More…
Peter Pan…In Case You Wonder
Many people have speculated about why my book is entitled, “No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches.” I’ve been amused hearing from so many people who think it’s related to my son’s autism. But the book is really about finding God’s presence, and learning to discern from Him in the midst of our struggles and Read More…
Band of Brothers
Salesmen, engineers, policemen, IT professionals, truck drivers, small business workers, contractors, and factory workers. Blue collar, white collar, or no collar at all. Car by car they drove up the hill to the rustic lodge. Men from different backgrounds, different ethnic heritages, different professions, and different parts of the country- Read More…
The Caregiver’s Notebook
I’ve never done this on my blog before but I am so excited about my friend Jolene Philo’s new book that I asked her to share with my readers and our families about her new book. Many of you know Jolene from her wonderful site DifferentDream.com. I look forward to our family using her new Read More…
No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Ask any adult over 30 if they remember where they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and almost everyone can tell you the answer. As the twin towers of New York City fell in a terrorist attack, I was passing through our den on the way to my home Read More…
Taste and See
I need to make a confession. My given name is Jeff Davidson, but at home, I often go by my aliases. i have a secret identity. I am the Food Whisperer. I also have been known to go by the name The Meds Whisperer. To help teach me Read More…
The Heart of the Special-Needs Dad
By all the usual measures, I was winning the game. Some would say I was even running up the score. A man usually defines himself by where he is in his career, his earnings level, and how he compares his life to others. It’s how men are taught to keep score. Read More…
Cheated?
“Don’t you feel cheated about the life you imagined you and your son would have? Don’t you feel like you have been robbed of so many blessings by having a child who can’t talk, can’t walk, and can’t really do any of the things a typical child can do?” “Don’t you Read More…
The Parable of the Two Dads
Once upon a time, two dads of children with special needs were walking down the road together. Both of them were raising children who had been diagnosed just a few years ago. Neither one said very much at first, as they walked along in silence. Both were, in effect, still reeling, still Read More…