On July 22, 2013 Babyfoodsteps hosted a Virtual Book Club for the book:
“The Thinking Moms Revolution”
Below is a summary of the questions… feel free to jump in any time and leave a comment (even if you are reading this in a year or two~ everyone’s voice counts!)
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #1- What were your thoughts on Dr. Robert Sears- “Forward”, that he wrote for the book? (If you haven’t read it yet, take a break and read it now- less than 4 pages- you can do it! Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #2- What do you think it takes to be a thinking mom (or dad, or grandparent, or aunt?) Are you one? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #3- After reading this book, what do you believe causes autism? (for those of you who aren’t finished with the book yet… post your educated guess and then I will ask this question again at the end of or book club too!) Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #4-
First chapter…first impressions… what were your fist impressions reading Twonk’s story? What words or phrases (from Twonk’s journey to America), jumped off the page at you or struck a chord with you, and why? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #5-
Money starts her chapter with a number of “Autism: the word that-” phrases.
How would you fill in the blank… Autism: the word that… ??? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #6- Poppy shares some “lessons” of Autism in her chapter “Poppy Flips Autism the Bird”:
#1. Trust your mommy gut
#2. It Always comes back to the poop
What lesson would you add to the list? Comments HERE
he Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #7- Savage recounts many a conversation with her pediatrician where her concerns were “talked away”. Have you had a similar conversation with a doctor, specialist, or therapist over concerns for your child? What were you told? What were you feeling? What was the outcome? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #8- The Professor wants to know: The three things they most wish the IACC (Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee) or the federal government would do for families with autism. Also what ideas they might have for spreading the work of TMR. Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #9- This question is from The Rev: “My one question would be: We know that so much of this seems overwhelming, as our stories weave together from so many different backgrounds and our kids have such different manifestations of illness–yet ALL their illnesses result from toxicity. What ONE immediate change could readers make to their lifestyle that would benefit themselves and their families? Something they could stick to, and get their momentum going while researching their next steps in getting healthy and staying the course toward better living and recovery.” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #10- Luv Bug, herself, wants to know… “I would love to know if people are able to point to one moment in time, one turning point that pushed them toward an attitude of hope and/or idea that recovery is possible?”Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #11- Prima retells 3 painful life events (giving up her dream of dancing, un-timely death of her brother and struggling with infertility) prior to the birth of her child (who is later diagnosed). Prima also recounts how she came full circle in her life, through homeopathy. Have you had any similar experiences in your journey? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ RevolutionBook Club Question #12- B.K. struggles with her faith, She says, “As a Christian , I don’t feel I get as much support from the Christian community as I should. That is probably the most heartbreaking thing.” In what ways has your faith (whatever it may be) been challenged by your child’s health and behavior issues? In what ways do you feel like churches, synagogues, places of worship could be more involved in supporting families in similar situations to yourself, or Booty Kicker? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #13-
Mama Mac, herself, wants to know “What do you do to keep in touch with the sexy, spirited person you were before your child got sick? If you aren’t doing enough…what is one thing you could do to remind yourself that this is your one turn on this earth too and you get to have some fun and laugh a little and feel good too.!”
LEGS IN THE AIR LADIES!!!!!- Mama Mac Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #14- Snap tells the story of her son and taking him to a pediatric neurologist who concluded that her son was “medically healthy” but referred him to another doctor for an evaluation of Autism. Why do you think so many practitioners see Autism as a separate entity than a medical condition, given that nearly all children with Autism have MEDICAL SYMPTOMS and “co-morbidities” in addition to the behavioral manifestations? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #15- the next questions are from Mamacita, herself: “Mamacita was getting worried about Ronan’s development (or lack there of). What were the excuses used by Ronan’s doctors about his delays?” AND “Mamacita is intrigued by the similarities of Ronan’s signs and symptoms and how they sound like it could be related to a mitochondrial disease. It took Mamacita 3 years to find a doctor who will listen to her and to test Ronan for mito, How long have you waited to find a provider and proper treatment for you or your child?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #16- Cupcake talks about her strong instincts that something was wrong with her baby very early on but mentions that people blamed her for worrying too much, or told her to relax, or even how, when her son regressed after a vaccine, “No one around me seemed to notice”. Whether your child is on the spectrum or not, have you had a time in motherhood where you felt blamed, or not believed or even that no one around you noticed something with your child that you were so in tune with? What was that and how did you feel? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #17- Mama Bear shares an important piece of this journey that is sometimes forgotten: SIBLINGS. How have family dynamics with siblings been stressed and/or strengthened in your home? (again even if you don’t have a child on the spectrum, please feel free to chime in on what you have observed in friends families or perhaps with a sibling of a child with other challenges (ADHD, learning issue, allergies, asthma, etc). Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #18- This question comes directly from Tex, herself: “Autism affects us emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Whether you consider yourself religious, agnostic, or atheist, how has autism shaped or informed your spiritual views and values? Have your views on spirituality changed?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club question #19 Dragon Slayer is writing one as we speak… Check back here in the comments, where I will post it! In the meantime, what did you think of DS’s journey? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #20 Mountain Mama recounts her trip to her brother’s wedding with her recently diagnosed autistic son. She says, “No one was safe from my irrational scrutiny.”
This description of her conversations with strangers who did not know about her son’s situation on page 205 struck a chord with me in connection with a question posted by @therev and @janstark last week that they asked me to share- so here it is:
“Is there a challenge for the non – autism parents to be able to create friendships with parents of autistic children? I think yes. If a parent isn’t knowledgeable how can they approach to learn? Small talk is common when making a first impression…. or is it better to be bold and ask “what’s going on with your child?” No matter what it isn’t the right thing. We can’t stare in wonderment. Offering a treat is a big no-no. Offering to give a parent a break isnt do-able till understanding & training is in place. So just how does a typical parent approach parents challenged with brain injured children & keep from being VERBALLY ATTACKED for their ignorance?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #21 from Sugah Sugah herself:
Once upon a time….Sugah lived life like a sheep. She believed everything the doctors told her, obeyed their every instruction, and generally took great pleasure in making her pediatrician happy. She says her turning point….when she knew her world had turned upside down….was when her children made major breakthroughs shortly after going gluten free. At what point did you know that your view of the medical world had changed in such a way that made you question everything? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club question #22- Princess shares her family’s experience with the Son- Rise program as well as her son’s experience being abused by one of his school caregivers. She say, “Suddenly, I understood why he ran! He was trying to tell me that he didn’t want to go to school and that he wasn’t safe there. I had written his behavior off as autism, rather than an important attempt at communication….”
How do you think the world would view “autism” differently if everyone viewed “behaviors” as a child’s attempts at communication? WHY don’t we all view it like this? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #23: Saint shares her struggles with her adopted daughter’s medical fragility, and shares what being part of the thinking moms means to her, including this thought, “I was not alone. Wow.It was an extremely powerful moment in my life.” At what point in your journey did you realize you weren’t alone? What did being alone feel like compared to realizing you were not? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #24- Goddess herself wants to know- “So BA (before autism), my Wednesday was called wine-down Wednesday and was often used as a mid-week break. Now, we celebrate FUA Friday. What has changed with you? What do you celebrate that others take for granted?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #25-Goddess’ second question is:”What’s the craziest thing you’ve caught yourself saying that the old you would have never said?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #26 I just love Sunshine’s quote, “I just know that someday sunshine will shoot out of all our kids asses again.” So now it is your turn… Thinking moms MADLibs: fill in the blank: ” I just know that someday __________. ” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #27
Blaze recounts her trail of recovery for her son in her chapter.
Blaze herself wants to know:
“What is your plan to take action now that you know what you know?” Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #28 -The Count, the one and only Thinking Dad in the book shares his “bytes” of wisdom throughout the chapters..
What is your favorite “byte from the count” and why? Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club Question #29- After reading this book, what do you believe causes autism? (This was question #3 also… Did your answer change?) Comments HERE
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Book Club- Final Question #30 -Thank you for participating and reading along with babyfoodsteps for this book! Please join me in ending our book club on a positive note! What is one positive thing you learned, experienced, or read from the Thinking Moms Revolution book or this virtual book club? Comments HERE
The most Answered question of the book club was not actually a question at all but a request: “Last day of the @thinkingmomsrevolution Virtual book club!! To end the conversation… Please post a question below that YOU want other thinking moms who have read the book to answer! The question with the most “likes” will be posted as the final question #30!”
HERE is the discussion, debate, resource sharing and educating that unfolded.
Taking Baby{food}Steps... 
Thank you for hosting this book club and discussion! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and everyone’s comments. And I loved that the Thinking Moms themselves participated. Would love to do another book sometime!
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