Fireworks

Happy Independence Day everyone.

One thing I've learned through my short years as a mother of special needs kids is that you have to be prepared for anything (or at least be flexible).

Once or twice we tried to have the kids stay up to watch the fireworks displays. We live in a wonderful place where we don't even have to go anywhere to watch them. All we do is turn off the lights, meet in our bedroom and pile on the bed. Then, turning off the lights, we simply watch the fireworks out our bedroom window--no fights for parking, no worrying about whether, and if the kids are tired their beds are just feet away. However, they've only opted to watch fireworks with us twice during the time they have been a part of our lives.   Usually its too late at night for them and our kids find them scary instead of pretty.

The interesting thing about July 4th for our family living in Utah is that there are always fireworks anytime from the end of June through the end of July due to all the local towns special festivals & parades.  So each year I try and take time to sit each child on my lap and explain to them that they are going to hear loud bangs and pops outside at night and that its okay. We have to warn them in advance so that the loud noise doesn't bother them.  This year I've even propped Rose up so she can look out her window in case any of the neighbors set off their own fireworks.  We'll see how it goes.