All I Really Need to Know I Learned from My Fragile X Sons

Inspired by the popular essay "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."

Be careful what you wish for.  ~  Every single developmental milestone is nothing short of a miracle. ~  You cannot underestimate the importance of The Wiggles.  ~  Keep your comfort items nearby and make sure you always have a stash of spares.  ~  Plan ahead for outings, and then be prepared to toss those plans out the car window.  ~  People will follow your lead; if you are calm and friendly, so will they be.  ~  Timing is everything and nothing at the same time.  ~  Playtime is not just for fun and entertainment.  It's an important learning tool.  ~  Sometimes it's better to be late.  Sometimes it's better to be early.  Sometimes it's best not to go at all.  ~  If you can keep from biting people, they are much more likely to want to be your friend.  ~  It's good to be friends with doctors and therapists.  ~  There will be forward steps and there will be backwards steps, but there will always be progress.  It's important to see the marathon, and not each step of the sprint.  ~  No matter how dire-sounding the diagnosis, your child WILL shock you with what he is able to do.  ~  No two children are exactly alike, even if you can't tell them apart.  ~  If it fits in the mouth, it may end up as a chew toy.  ~  Your average public restroom is poorly equipped.  ~  Slap the words "special needs" in front of any product and the price goes up about 100%.  ~  Lack of language does not equal lack of comprehension.  ~  Write everything down.  Things you think you'll never forget, you will.  ~  Sometimes little things like animal crackers and a smile make all the difference.  ~  You will find yourself someday doing something you once said you'd NEVER do.  ~  All of us have baggage.  What matters is whether you let it drag you down, or whether you try and use it to get ahead.  ~  Even the bad things that happen to you, teach you something.  Especially the bad things.  ~  Listen.  No, really.  Stop thinking about what you want to say, and l i s t e n.  ~  Everyone grows up at their own pace, even all the "typical" kids.  ~  You know how much smarter you feel today, than 10 years ago?  Think about how brilliant you'll be in another 10 years, and how ignorant you are today compared to that.  ~  If something gets torn to shreds, it just means it was loved to pieces.  ~  It's not true, that saying about sticks and stones. Words can hurt.  ~  Housework is overrated.  Housekeepers are not. 

Additions welcome.... What have you learned?