Waiting for Everything
From the moment we’re born, doesn’t it seem like we spend an eternity waiting? First, we’re crying for a diaper change or breast milk, and waiting for the good enough Mommy. Then, gradually, we acquire language and with it the responsibility of learning...
read moreApril and Autism
Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness month? If you’re the parent or relative of a child “on the spectrum,” the answer is probably a resounding yes. Ditto for educators, doctors, therapists and researchers who are directly involved with autism....
read moreBlogaversary
Believe it or not, March marks the end of my first year in blogdom, with “The Never Empty Nest.” I’d like to say “what a difference a year makes,” but that would be a lie. The truth is that while some things have changed—like Max graduating from college and...
read moreLetting Go
The question of when to let go of our children—how much and how quickly— is extremely challenging. This seems especially true if you have special needs kids, and it becomes even more complicated when you have twins. All things being equal, most people would...
read moreNest Guests
Not only have the male Elisofons flocked back to the nest, but it also looks like a couple of guests will be joining us. (Temporarily, Thank God). Sarah’s boyfriend, Jake, will be staying at our apartment Friday night instead of our daughter going there, as she...
read moreNest Half-Empty
As of Sunday morning, the men in my family had—temporarily—flown the coop. For me, their same-day departures were strangely unsettling, lots of commotion around packing for different cities, arranging to be picked up two hours apart: one going to Kennedy, the...
read moreCyber Disgrace?
If you weren’t born yesterday—or during the past 25 years— maybe, like me, you’re not totally up to speed on technology and social media. Of course there’s a range of incompetence, bottoming out at downright (and deliberate) ignorance. On one extreme, there’s...
read moreNow What?
I should be simply thrilled that my “special needs” daughter, Sarah, is graduating with a BA from Pace University in May. (Knock on wood.). But “simple” is not in my vocabulary, at least not when it comes to Sarah. Diagnosed on the autistic spectrum with a variety...
read moreHearts and Flowers
A close friend assumed I would be writing about Valentine’s Day this week. Actually, I hadn’ t planned on it. Why not? I could see the question on my friend’s face; her expression was puzzled and playful. Immediately, I began thinking about the answer, and...
read moreEnough With Snow
If you live in New York City and are NOT a school age child, I think you’ll agree that this is one of the worst winters ever (and it’s not even close to over). Alas, this is only the beginning…of February. We still have to survive March, which is supposed to...
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About Marguerite
Marguerite Elisofon is a New York City writer and the author of My Picture Perfect Family, a memoir about how her family navigated life with a child on the autistic spectrum before the internet and support groups existed. She also blogs about parenting young adults and disability related issues in The Never Empty Nest. Her writing has been featured in a variety of publications, including Time and NY Metro Parents magazine, and her family’s story has been featured by the NY Post, Fox News, The Daily Mail, and on Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty Sexy Funny radio show. A Vassar graduate, Marguerite was born and raised in New York City, where she still lives with her husband, Howard, in their mostly-empty nest. She is available to speak about a wide variety of issues relating to twins, parenting, and autism. 