What do you say when someone asks “how are you doing?”

When someone asks me how I am doing it can sometimes be pretty evident that I am THAT frazzled mom running errands at wal-mart. I will flat out tell people that I hope my day gets better soon. I sheepishly joke with them. My kids know when I have had it and they know when they have acted inapproproately in public. I do the best I can and I try to be honest with people. I do strugge however with the fact that I will tell acquaintances that the kids are really testing my patience and the snarky answers I give. I owe my kids better than that but everyday is a struggle for us and many of the days are overwhelming. I do most of the parenting by myself and when my hubby is home I spend a good amount of time putting out fires between him and the kids

if they are in your personal life,and can't handle the truth (the good , the bad and down right ugly,) cut them loose , sounds harsh, well so is my life, i will not waste my energy ,time ,effort , on people that just want lip service . our lives are too complicated ,to exhausting ,and sometimes weirdly wonderful , to waste on people who won't get on this ride with us. Be brave enough to either care about my family's life ,or leave us alone. Believe me , It is your loss, my kids 4 of them 2 on the spectrum ,been on this ride for 25 years ,21 as a special needs parents ,yes we have cried ,and grieved ,but we have been changed and blessed and laughed ,and been taught things i would never would of learned . I have learned what prejudice looks like and feels like , i have learned i can have communication with out words , i know there is a God , because I live with a person everyday that has more compassion , patience  and goes through this world that  does not see him or appreciate him . and he smiles almost all day , everyday!  My other special son,is very verbal, kind, kinda like peter pan ,helpful ,funny , The younger years were hard, beyond hard, My other 2 NT's gave me the pleasure of normal milestones , but you also learn all kids come with their challenges whether they are "special " or not . Tell the truth,if they can't handle it , they don't deserve you and your life, because we  have taught been taught compassion,empathy ,forgiveness, and when life slaps you down ,or you screw up royally , i will hand you the truth ,and help you pick up the pieces. Because i have been there, blown it , stood on more ledges than i care to admit , and learned it ,DID NOT KILL ME! i am strong ,and i can help you believe you will and can be too. So stand for you life,your family ,what your going through, it is your truth . Someone might just look back at their conversation with you,and say , well they did it ,they made it, they are even happy , Maybe I can too.    Gloria

Hi Rob. Just wanted to say Hi. Ita easier to say your doing ok even though your not. Your Gavin it seems has stolen a spot in my heart. I dont know why but I cant stop thinking about him. My son Khai does not have the health issues Gavin has, but they look alike , maybe its something similar to what you experienced with Tim. I would love to stay in contact to see how Gavin and your family are doing. Trish