Originally Posted by RRD
And you know, we do sometimes lose perspective when we're faced with unusual children. So if anyone on this board is offering advice, it might be useful to pay attention to it even if it's hard to swallow. I'm guessing that they are responding because they want to help, not criticize.

I know it can be mentally exhausting. Good luck! smile

I wasn't so much as taking it as criticisms, but I wanted to reframe things to hear how other mom's dealt with that type of awkwardness when you really do want to say "my kid isn't quite like yours, back off" to other moms when I catch slack about my inability to sit and enjoy coffee and a chat with them because I'm always following my toddler or redirecting attention or needing to leave because he's overstimulated. I know a lot of the parents here have been through this and I'm just starting out. Since I rephrased my thoughts and added some more clear direction, I seem to have gotten helpful feedback. Thank you all!