Author Profile:
Joanne Giacomini is a writer, speaker and parent coach at "Exceptional Parenting/Exceptional Balance," www.exceptionalparenting.net. She also blogs at "Exceptional Mom/Exceptional Child" www.exceptionalmomchild.com, about how her son with autism is raising her! She explores the ups and downs of parenting a special needs child, and as a speaker and parent coach, she helps parents of special needs children find the strategies they need to help manage their children's challenging behaviors, in order to live a life of wholeness and balance. You can find more information about her coaching programs at www.exceptionalparenting.net. Joanne also has a FREE EBOOK on MANAGING EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY ANXIETY available for download at the following link: www.exceptionalparenting.site88.net.
Through her writing, Joanne wants to reach out to other special needs or exceptional moms, and give them these same tools to help them live their best possible life. Joanne also is a blogging contributor to "Huff Post Parents Canada", "BlogHer-Special Needs", "Wise Women Canada", as well as "M List by the Suburban," and "Parenting 101 by the Suburban." Her articles have been featured in "Scary Mommy", "Her View From Home", and "Romper". She writes parenting and lifestyle article for "The Things" and "Baby Gaga". She is at work on a book entitled "5 Ways My Exceptional Son Has Made Me An Exceptional Human Being," as well as a young adult fantasy novel. Joanne makes her home in Montreal, Quebec, with her husband, son, and the family cat, Princess.
About my kids:
My son is eight years old and is the joy of my life. He loves music, movement, reading, art and directions. We call him our "little GPS." I have so much admiration and love for him, and know how he struggles in our world to comprehend things due to his very different way of thinking and seeing the world. His autism makes life difficult for him and myself at times, but he is such a smart little guy and I know with time and patience he will do extraordinary things.
Parenting is...:
one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs I've ever had to do. My son demands so much of me, but what he has given me is so much more. He has taught me patience, strength, appreciation for living in the moment, and to fight for what I really want. I once asked God an infamous question when I was at a time in my life that I wasn't feeling challenged enough in my career. I boldly asked Him "Challenge me. I'm not happy." So He did! He gave me my son who has autism and my life as it is now. It is a life that is glorious, overwhelming, exhilarating, exhausting, amazing, happy, sad, and all of those things rolled into one! In parenting my special needs or exceptional son, and becoming his advocate for the best possible future for him, I have finally learned how to advocate for myself and the future I have wanted for so long.
We know you don't have a lot, but when you do, what do you like to do in your spare time?:
Read, write fiction and poetry, and spend quality time with my husband, other family members and my girlfriends. I love to get together over dinner, drinks and for coffee.
When are you at your yummiest?:
When I am drinking! Just kidding. When I feel rested, fit and in my zone. I believe in daily meditation and yoga, weekly exercise, and time for writing, talking and laughing with my family and friends. When I feel balanced, I feel love for myself and those around me and I can give back to the world what it has given me.
If someone wrote a biography about you, what would be the title?:
The Woman That Brings Everyone Together
What's currently in your purse?:
Wallet, lipstick, blush, Kleenex, writer's notebook, two pens and gum, house and car keys, maxi pads.
What superhero power would you like to have?:
The ability to move objects with my mind. Then I could clean my house in a blink of an eye!
If we gave you an elephant, where would you hide it?:
In the basement! I have lots of room there.
Do you have a blog or website? :
