I am so excited that you have made it to my page! My story is what motivated me to create this website.

My name is Brittany and I became a mother at 19. At my age of 33, my daughter is now 13. We have had many journeys through this life together. 

This site will not conclude the end of my journey. I have not made it to the high mountain tops where I can wake up floating on a cloud and expect I will never be there. However, I have learned a lot. 

Currently, my daughter and I live in Oklahoma and have been here for almost 2 years. We lived in Virginia for most of her life, and well, most of mine. My life was deeply moved when Mikayla was 2 years old. I was a mess, losing my identity and hope for any type of a normal future. It was my love for being a mother that helped motivate me to make some changes in my life. These changes were found in a church where I found God, and His love.

*I know what you might be thinking...but this is my story. Although it may not be yours, I assure you that this site is not only for those in a spiritual relationship with God. It is for all those seeking help in this walk of life called motherhood.*

I needed to add this disclosure before continuing. This is my story and it might not be yours. Trust me when I say I was not perfect.

To continue...It was when I found God's love that I learned to love myself more. I learned to see others in their struggles even though I had my own. I learned that even though I was a single mother, there were married mothers with the same issues I had. 

My heart's desire was to raise my daughter to be loved and to love others. However, I was met with a rude awakening when my daughter turned 4. She did not go through the terrible twos or threes. She went through the treacherous fours and I had no idea how to handle it. 

I was often met with rages of tantrums and other emotional outbreaks. That was when I reached out to her father whom I had not spoken to in years, wanting him to be the figure she needed. That was short lived and an ineffective feat that I regretted for some time. I fell into depression and anxiety as I tried almost everything to help my daughter express herself.

Throughout her life I questioned if she was struggling with something more. However, I felt alone in that thought. There were hints but I did not fully catch on. I remember breaking down to someone at church and she said "Sometimes it is not something wrong with you, but the something is wrong with the child". Knowing her heart, and her career in teaching special needs children, that lingered in my mind. Also, I knew what she meant, not that my daughter was wrong but that there was something more happening.

As Mikayla got older, she struggled more with social interaction. Her hurt was expressed through lodging objects, mostly at me, and even physical altercation, also with me. I was ashamed. Living in an apartment, I was constantly nervous about her fits and screaming as I knew the neighbors could hear. I tried tough love while trying to understand her emotions. Mostly, I was met with others telling me what I needed to do, what I wasn't doing, and soon others began to resent my daughter for her actions. 

Another obstacle were people who lacked compassion. Although I had one child, and my daughter often felt lonely and isolated. Other parents would tell me that I was lucky to only have one, when even given the circumstances, I longed for another child and partner. I dated here and there but my main focus was my daughter. Overall, I was thankful for the child I had and wanted to help her. She is sweet and kind with a heart of gold, it was just the barrier of controlling emotions that clouded her vision. She needed help.

After briefly speaking with an old friend, she asked me if I ever had my daughter tested and instead of being insulted, I felt vindicated. It was when she was 11 that I knew something else had to be done. She got assessed and was diagnosed with autism and anxiety disorder. In my eyes, I was relieved to know how to help my daughter. 

I spoke with my daughter of her results and it  helped her to understand herself. With the level of diagnose, I also had hope that she just needed the proper resources to overcome her social barriers. Soon, we moved to Oklahoma. This was a quick decision on my part which happened due to the opportunity and other life events that had occurred. My daughter and I drove 22 hours in my SUV with only the belongings that could fit. It was a lot better than it sounds although met with obstacles. 

I was discouraged to find that most autistic centers helped elementary school children and younger especially looking for the right program given finances and flexibility. I have read and researched a ton from home which often includes nutrition and healthy outlets. These resources and knowledge will be shared throughout my site!

My freedom as a mother comes from resources and those who chose to listen, understand, and offer heartfelt advice. I wish the same for you! 

Everyday comes with its own obstacles, but personal growth within you and your children is what brings you past them. You can be an overcomer. You already are one. 

This website has been a dream of mine. As the site progresses, I look forward to hearing and learn from other mothers and how they have overcome obstacles with their young ones.