A New Day, A New Challenge

As the sun rose over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the house, Ashley slowly got to her feet, her exhausted body screaming in protest. She had made it through the night, but just barely. She looked down at Alex, who was still fussy and restless, and knew that she needed help. She needed a break, and she needed advice. At 9am, Ashley quickly got Alex dressed in his favorite outfit, a bright blue shirt with a cartoon character on it, and a pair of comfortable pants. She grabbed his favorite backpack, which was filled with snacks, toys, and other essentials, and headed out the door to the autism centre. As she walked into the centre, Ashley was greeted by the friendly staff, who were used to seeing her and Alex at their most challenging moments. "Hey Ashley, how are you doing today?" one of the therapists asked, concern etched on her face. Ashley forced a weak smile. "I'm hanging in there, just barely. I need some help and advice," she said, her voice shaking. The therapist nodded sympathetically. "Let's get Alex settled in, and then we can talk about what's going on," she said. Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she was in good hands, and that the staff at the centre would do everything they could to help her and Alex. As Alex was settled into his morning routine, Ashley took a deep breath and pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. She had been carrying it around for days, trying to figure out how to approach the conversation. She needed to tell Alex that he was going to be a big brother, but she had no idea how to do it. Avan was going to be away for work a lot, and Ashley was going to have to handle the conversation on her own. She was scared, and she didn't know if she was ready. But she knew that she had to do it, and she needed the centre's help. One of the therapists, a kind-faced woman named Sarah, sat down next to Ashley and asked, "So, what's going on? What do you need help with?" Ashley took a deep breath and explained the situation, from Avan's upcoming trip to her concerns about how Alex would react to the news. Sarah listened attentively, nodding her head and making supportive noises. When Ashley finished, Sarah smiled and said, "Don't worry, we can help you with that. Telling Alex that he's going to be a big brother can be a challenge, but we can work together to make it happen." Ashley felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she wasn't alone, and that she had a team of professionals who were willing to help her every step of the way. Together, they could face whatever challenges came their way.