Lauren Cootes
Though born in Nashville, Lauren moved away when she was just six years old. After growing up in South Carolina and spending 10 years in Florida, she packed up her two children and moved back to her first hometown in the summer of 2014. A mostly stay-at-home mom to McLaine (a spunky six year old diva with an unknown genetic syndrome) and Beckett (a four year old, wild tornado of a boy), Lauren is passionate about faith, family, food, fitness, social media and all things special needs. She and her munchkins live just outside of Nashville and are loving getting to know all that this amazing city has to offer. She could not be more pleased with her decision to make this their permanent home.
You can find Lauren here on social media:
@honestyandgrace - Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/lauren.cootes
Parental Public Humiliation :: My Child’s Top Four Achievements . . . So Far
Having studied early childhood education and worked with children for years before I had my own, I thought I mostly knew what to expect. There are a myriad ways that I was wrong about...
Won’t You Be My Bestie?
I have a surprising confession to make: I have no close friends. I mean, I'm close with my mother, sisters, and my boyfriend—but outside of family members and the person who plans to spend his...
What I Wish I Could Tell You :: When You Suspect Developmental Delays in...
Being the parent of a special needs child truly give you a unique perspective on a multitude of things. Before I had my daughter, doctors were god-like. If there were anything to be concerned about health-wise, a...
When Grandparents Are More Than Grandparents
Once upon a time, when I was an incredibly different person, and in what feels like a different life, I unexpectedly became a single mother for the second time. My son was 5 months...
Fun For All! Nashville Attractions with Special Accessibility
When you have a child with a disability, there's quite a bit of extra planning involved when seeking out kid-friendly excursions. With that in mind, I've highlighted two local attractions dedicated to disability accommodation and...
High Protein Foods for High Energy Kids
At my son's recent 4-year well-check with our pediatrician, she gave me the information that I was already expecting. Beckett is way above average for his age in height, average for weight, and well below...
Ways to Reach Out To—and Support—a Special Needs Family
"Well, what CAN we say then?"
In response to a post I wrote a couple of months back (if you missed it, you can find it here), I received this comment several times. People want to...
5 Ways My Darling Daughter Channels Chuck Norris
Internet, meet McLaine.
Cute, isn't she? It would be quite the mistake to underestimate that innocent looking face, though, because this little girl is Hell on Wheels (quite literally, as she sometimes rocks a sweet...
When it’s More than Mommy Brain…
When I ask you to think about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), I can practically guarantee that you are envisioning a little boy running around like crazy and bouncing off the walls and furniture. I know...
The Value of a Village
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is about changing the misconceptions that the general public has of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's about finding the best ways to support and enable those with ID/DD to be involved...