Because we live under a rock in Mississippi….

Seriously, why haven’t I seen this before? E.B. and I have had way too much fun dancing around the kitchen to this tonight. You cannot resist the Ice Cream and Cake Dance even if you try.

*with special thanks to Cracked Daddy for informing me about this.

I am THAT mom. You know her when you see her. She’s the one with the child who is acting a nut at the store. The child is whining, or perhaps pitching the mother of all fits, and she’s not doing a damn thing about it. She isn’t ignoring the child’s behavior. She’s calmly trying to divert his attention to something else…asking him to be a little more patient. Pleading him with her eyes to please, please not make a scene.

And she gets THE LOOK. Constantly. And to be honest, she is damn sick of the look. And the whispers. “Why can’t she control him? Why doesn’t she just spank him? If that were MY child….”.

And I just want to scream, “It’s NOT your child! This? Is a cakewalk compared to some days. Yes, he most certainly IS corrected for his behavior when he misbehaves. No, he doesn’t call the shots. Perhaps there is an explanation for why he feels the need to compensate by acting out.”

And I’m glad he’s NOT their child. Not because their parenting is easier because their child isn’t like mine, but because I fiercely and deeply love THIS child with all of my heart. The loud whines? Praise God my baby can speak! The tantrums? Praise God my baby can walk, jump, and throw himself on the floor if the mood strikes him! To trade that for easier and more convenient parenting? Not a chance in hell!

But on this particular day when that meltdown was happening on Aisle 4, a kind woman who was also the age of THAT mother turned and said, “It sure is tough sometimes, isn’t it? My little boy hates shopping, too.”

And my heart leapt for there WAS another mother in the world who didn’t get it right all of the time, who had gotten her fair share of THE LOOK, and had compassion enough for another mother experiencing the same thing. And THAT mom is what the world could use more of.

Because I have a child that has a diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder, I’m always interested in learning about the latest therapeutic and technological innovations available for treatment. Advanced Brain develops interactive software to improve memory, attention and academics. Auditory training is something my son responded to positively in therapy once before and it was very interesting to watch.

The Listening Program® (TLP) is a music-based auditory stimulation method that provides engaging brain stimulation to improve performance in school, work and life.

Children, teens, adults can use the program in the home, classroom or workplace. Completely portable and easy to use, The Listening Program fits easily into anyone’s schedule and only requires 15 to 30 minutes of daily listening.

The Listening Program is a fusion of beautiful art and sound science. The Listening Program’s psycho-acoustically modified music and patent-pending production techniques are designed to stimulate or “exercise” the different functions of the auditory processing system. This enables the brain to better receive, process, store and utilize the valuable information provided through the varied soundscapes in our lives such as music, language and the environment in which we live.

If you’re looking for a listening program or need help finding a local provider of ABT products and therapies, the website can also help you locate a provider free of charge.