Because Mother knows best

I am thankful that I have a great relationship with my partners’ parents. Both of them have been supportive from the start and very truthful. Her mum and I in particular often talk about the quirks that come with Asperger’s syndrome. Having brought my partner up for nearly 23 years, who better to advise me than her mum?

At times She’s laughed at my comments and told me what I experience is very toned down to what it used to be. I remember when commenting on food and the Steak wrap fiasco. She simply said 4 in two weeks is nothing, I remember the jacket potato phase and the cornflake phase, they lasted years. At first it made me panic, ‘if this is nothing what have I got myself in for’. But her mum made it clear that things have changed over the years and she is not as bad as she was as a teenager.

Certain things have stayed the same, like her wanting the hall light on at night. (Which I kind of like as I’m scared of the dark too). But other things, like her eating and her ability to deal with situations have changed.

Having someone to talk to that knows her so well and can be reassuring. And I’ve learnt a lot from her, like the ‘don’t you dare’ eyebrow raise that stops my other half mid sentence, or the way she likes her cereal in the morning.

No matter how silly or trivial, I can always turn to her mum and ask anything. They always say mothers know best. So, if you have a child (no matter how old) with aspergers. Keep in mind that their friends and partners can learn a lot from what you have to say. Just don’t go through all the quirks and obsessions at once.