Tamara Anderson's life is anything but normal, yet she's embraced it anyway. Hear what life is like for her parenting two autistic sons.

Visit https://ldsbooknook.com/normal-for-me to read this episode's transcript.

Visit https://lizkazandzhy.com/ to learn more about the host.

OUTLINE

🔹 Normal for Me is a self-help parenting book by Tamara K. Anderson, published in 2019

🔹 Overview of the book

Two of Tamara's four children have autism, one high-functioning and one low-functioning

This is a great book for parents of autistic children and also those who want a glimpse into a family with autistic children

🔹 What is Normal?

After a horribly difficult day with her children, Tamara was asking God, "Why is life so hard? Why can't we be a normal family?" In reply, God whispered to her, "Tamara, this IS normal for you."

That brought her great comfort, though her journey to acceptance was long and difficult

🔹 The Power of Journaling

Tamara shared a journal entry about "the day from hell," writing in a way that was raw and uncensored

When we write like that, it can help us work through our feelings, and it will help those who read it in the future to not feel so alone in their trials

I share an inspiring story from an ancestor who struggled with intense trials in Utah after leaving her comfortable life in England: "One of her daughters remembered her mother standing with her head on her arms resting on the mantel piece with tears dripping like rain on the hearth beneath, but in spite of this she was a brave and courageous woman."

🔹 Judge Not!

Tamara and her husband have had to deal with a lot of judgment from others

"There really is no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus, judge not." (Thomas S. Monson)

🔹 Trials: More than We Can Handle?

"I think the phrase needs to be changed to say, 'God doesn’t give us more than we can handle with His help.' Basically, He doesn’t give us more than HE can handle. The question is, do we turn to Him for help in our trials?"

🔹 Ask God for Parenting Help

Tamara shares a story of God helping her find a way to involve all of her kids in a family activity

Our children were God's children long before they were ours, and if anyone knows how to get through to them, it's Him

🔹 Take Care of Yourself

Tamara shares a fantastic list of stress-relieving activities that she could do in increments of 5, 10, and 15 minutes

🔹 Takeaways

1. The next time you have a horrible day, write about it. Be honest and open and raw and uncensored.

2. Create a list of stress-relieving activities that you can do in 5, 10, and 20 minutes.