First, she asks other parents not to put her on a “pity pedestal,” where they say things like, “I couldn’t do what you do every day.” Jeppson wrote, “I know those comments are well meaning. Truly, I do. But, frankly, I have never felt like intervening and helping our children was a choice we had. It’s not like lessons or little league where we made a choice to be involved — it is something our children NEED to have a shot at life.” Instead, she suggests that anyone who wants to show appreciation say things like, “I really admire all you do for [your] children.” Or, “They are so lucky to have a mom that loves them so much.” As Jeppson explains, “Just make it a positive.” With three kids, two of whom have special needs, and a husband, Jeppson finds that life naturally “gets so bogged down” — but that only makes girl time more important. “I am always so grateful for when someone reaches out to me,” she wrote. “At times, I can be [so] drained that I can’t even think about maintaining friendships. It’s not that I don’t want to, but it’s hard. Reach out and do.” She also says she wants her page and her words to bring knowledge and comfort to her fellow special needs moms. Jeppson also said she now views kids as individuals, regardless of their diagnoses. “I hate it when the first thing people say about my kids is that they are ‘autistic,’” she said. “Yes, they are, but they are so much more than that.”
