It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming…Mother’s Day!  The one day a year when my children are required by law, tradition, expectation, whatever, to treat me like a queen.  And just in case they haven’t been preparing for the big day with the same fervor that I have, I’ve compiled a list of activities that will make the 2013 Mother’s Day one to remember!

In second grade, my daughter often talked about her classmate Robert.  Robert, who remained in our public school system through second grade, struggled with the nebulous diagnosis of being “somewhere on the autism spectrum”.  He’s a great kid – with a great family – and I watched and marveled as they worked tirelessly to help Robert navigate his way through school, friendships, and growing up.

Robert’s mother, who is thoughtful, tireless, patient, strong and grateful, told me how much support they’ve had from the Connecticut community as they’ve explored the world of autism with Robert.  It has made me appreciate again how lucky we are to live in an age and place of both relative social acceptance and medical phenomena.  There is no doubt that my life and my daughter’s have been enriched and strengthened for knowing Robert and his family, and their struggles and victories.

If you have a child who may be grappling with autism, there are many, many resources in the Fairfield County area to explore.  Here's a list to get you started:

Ugh.  Here I was trying to think of a fantastic spring day trip to take with my nearly ten year old and where does she ask to go? THE MALL!!!!.  The birthplace of bad spending habits and teenage attitudes.  Bastion of bad taste and fast food.  Anywhere, I said to my teeny bopper, anywhere but the mall.

Naturally, the more I argued against it, the more my pre-teen daughter wanted that trip to the mall.  Fast forward several arguments and a battle of wills, and we found a brilliant – brilliant!- alternative … South Norwalk’s SoNo Marketplace.  

This new, dare I say hip, market is a converted old warehouse in South Norwalk, and its more than 40 vendors offer gourmet food, gifts, clothing, art and toys.  The vendors are largely located in stalls throughout the space, and there are great indoor and outdoor spaces for dining and relaxing.