Practical Tip #35 – Hands-On Museums

Our Tristan is very curious and loves to touch everything. It is just where he is at developmentally.

We have found that hands-on museums are a Tristan family-friendly activity.
We took a trip to the Curious Kids’ Museum in St. Joesph, Michigan.

When we entered the museum, I said to Tristan, “At this place, you can touch everything.”

At the physical disability awareness station, Tristan thought it was a fun game to sit in the wheelchair and circle the ramps.

The giant Lite-Brite station was a huge hit because he was gifted with one this past Christmas. He understood the activity. Tristan loves when items are larger or smaller than the usual size.

 

We played hard for about 90 minutes and then it was time to exit.

It was a great family day!

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Practical Tip #11- Doubles!

I have learned that life is easier when we have two of seasonal clothing items! 

Practical Tip #2 Make This House A Home

Okay…let’s be honest.   Sometimes the little things for special need families can be a BIG challenge. After Tristan came to our home we realized how destructive he could be!  Over the next few years we kept making our home, “Tristan proof.”  That included, “un-decorating.”   I remember vividly one Christmas Brian asking me what I wanted for the holiday.  I explained how when I look back at some of our family photos I see our house looked like a home.  We went on a mission to decorate functionally.  To do so we had to be creative.  First, we drilled holes through and screwed our pictures and wall art to walls like they do in hotels.  That worked!  Next, instead of full curtains in some of the rooms we put up sturdy hardware and just valences. Followed by fresh coats of paint.  Finally, Brian painted a mural on the wall.  This may sound simple but it really made a difference. How has your family tackled the challenge of destructive children?