Practicing Independent Living Skills

[@TDemaraJ]

The way you girls speak to each other has taught me how to teach my little ones to speak with kindness and I love it thank you ladies❤️

[@Shaping_Serenity]

I love this! ❤️

[@mothermarie6057]

What a beautiful thing!!! 🥰🌈🦋🦋

[@theresawarchulski5339]

I feel like part of the family watching you go about your day Dear Sweet Jess 💕 makes me Smile 😊

[@melindabarefoot4612]

My grandma always cooked grits on the stove, and my mom has always used the instant ones. I do remember the difference in texture between the two. I've loved grits since I was little. Great job on learning how to make grits Jess!! I have a fur baby too!! He is a rescue. He was about 6 to 8 weeks old when we got him. He's a Lab/Pit mix and his name is SHADOW. He just turned 3 years old in August, and he weighs about 100 pounds, if not more. He's spoiled too!!

[@Toffee146]

I feel for Jess so, so much. She amazes me with her willingness to be independent. I was so frightened about becoming independent, and had to have the help of mental health social workers to find social housing for me, as I can't work. I manage now, but still have massive anxiety and panic. In England, Jess would get a lot more help, and there are group homes and individual flats in supported housing, where she could learn so many skills with all the support she needed, but, of course, just as services are in Chatanooga, the services offered here, are becoming fewer and fewer, unless you pay huge amounts for private help. It's beyond appalling. I'm so thankful that Jess has such a wonderful family that give her a routine and love/comfort when she needs it. I keep saying it, and I'll say it again, Val. You are THE BEST mother Jessica, Hannah and Madison could ask for. I wish my mother had even ⅛ of the patience and kindness you have. You deserve an award and recognition for all you do for Jess and your family. You really do. Love sent, as always, from Sheffield, England. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@amelton1620]

Omg you are such an amazing mom. Love Jess and your whole family. Y’all are so attentive to Jess and her wants and needs

[@kelleyrawlings]

I am always in absolute AWE of you, Val. You are so patient and the best example to mamas of any kind of "abled" kids. And great job on your grits, Jess!

[@GrannyGooseOnYouTube]

I noticed Jess zeroed in for a little test sniff of the oven mitt. Got me thinking and wondering if things have scents that I never noticed. I tried test sniffing my bathrobe (smelled like laundry detergent), my empty coffee cup (yumm), and even my cell phone (which had a warm, metallic smell). Autistic folks can teach us a lot about noticing things in our world.

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Yes

[@heidiely3243]

Congratulations, Jess! You did a great job and I love how safe you are with using the oven mitts and the plastic knife. I have never had grits and now I know how to make instant ones! ❤️

[@susanmathy8973]

Jess you did a Great Job making your own grits! 👍👏💕

[@melanierunnett6842]

Love how informative your posts are , my 5 year old Aphrodite is non communicative and amongst others has sensory processing disorder . Jess's reaction just in itself helped , might sound crazy but you help so much x Love from Manchester UK 🇬🇧

[@Shaping_Serenity]

I’m so glad it helped!! ❤️

[@Toffee146]

Aphrodite?! That's a unique name if ever there was one!

[@kiajohnson]

I love love love the name Aphrodite and have always wanted to name my daughter that if I ever have one.

[@francisbalares2981]

GREAT JOB JESS!!!💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@Stephanie_G.]

Good job Jessica!! Glad you are making goals on cooking new things.

[@vickiepoe2028]

Could you get the individual packets of salt and pepper so she doesn’t accidentally put too much? She did a fantastic job!

[@colleenflynn5646]

Good job Jess! Mighty early in the morning though 😬. I envy your patience Val. ❤️

[@sandycoponen4561]

Thanks for all you do for Jess. It appears she is better with commands instead of (can you, will you) requests. She makes excuses not too. Lol

[@denisehunt9527]

Good job Jess. Good job val ! It was nice to see give limited guidance to jess

[@caraevans2609]

Well done, Jess!! 👍

[@angiesmith1173]

😂😂😂Val. U r the Best ❤️teaching patience and if it’s not perfect the world will continue. I admire you. ❤️❤️❤️

[@tammymurphy2499]

I’m so happy for you Jess. I hope you have a great day. Val I hope you have a great day too.

[@rosieperucci5941]

Great job Jessica 💓

[@tiffanyadkins5428]

Great job Jess ❣️

[@junebrown9139]

Good job Jess 👍 ya all made me hungry 👍have good day ❤️

[@nancyalmonte6334]

Great job Jess! 💙💙 yummy grits 🥰🥰 hey hey hey ♥️

[@bethbauer4480]

I love you guys ! Grits are great ! Great job Jessica ! So proud of you girlie ! 💓

[@lindawhitten918]

I love grits and instant grits too. I get tickled watching especially when things just happen, like the whisk falling down in the grits.

[@WikkidVyxen]

Wow Jessica!!! You did an amazing job making your own grits! Wish you could come cook for me! BUT, I've never tried grits with salt and pepper...don't yell at me but I eat my grits with butter and SUGAR!!! Can you imagine??? Keep up the great work, I'm proud of you!!

[@budgirl1368]

Jessica you did a fantastic job making your own breakfast!! Way to go 👏👏Be proud of yourself ♥️👍🏼

[@SpeedyGrama]

You go girl with your independent self🦸.

[@vanessadaugherty4294]

Good job Jess👏🏻👏🏻they’ll be good this winter when it’s cold🥣

[@vikkibyington3066]

You are doing a great job making your own instant grits. I am so proud of you! That is a very independent goal! Val, since Jess’ back itches so often (I understand because mine does too and it is miserable) have you ever tried Gold Bond on her back? Just a thought. I have used it but now there’s no one to put it on for me. Have a wonderfully Val, Jess & Hannah!🙏🏻💜💜

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Hers mainly itches when she tired or sleepy.

[@bethwilson8770]

Great job Jess !! My daughter now 32 used to eat that every morning before school !! It brings back lots of memories she liked hers with butter and cheese on them .. I really don’t like grits… love the relationship you and Jess have!! Beautiful Family!!

[@karbear26]

Good job learning how to make your own grits! That’s a great goal to make them independently! I live in the Chicagoland area and don’t think I’ve had grits before. My parents spend the winter in Florida and my dad likes grits down there! He likes cheese in his.

[@fhxhsncmdmcmd]

I’m with Jess! I love the convenience of instant grits but do like stove top grits too

[@jackyjones8625]

Great job Jessica. You are going to be a great cook just like your mom, your sister and your Noni.

[@josiesalas4360]

Now I want grits! 💛🍚🙋🏽‍♀️

[@sherryhart519]

Jess I love grits and I also love gravy biscuits. We southern girl have to stick together.

[@sherriedavis9298]

Think you are doing great, Jess! I want to tell you how pretty you look with your hair up today!

[@danabelden4492]

Good 👍

[@pennyp4187]

Good job Jess and Mom ❤️

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Thank you!

[@stephaniemac7635]

Huge well done Jess and with a hot bowl as well. I had grits once in Florida and oh no they were not for me at all. Maybe think about salt & pepper grinders Val. Then Jess could maybe count how many times to turn/twist so she can flavour her own food? What about a goal of Jess putting fresh bedding on and taking used bedding off then out into laundry bin? Might be ok for her to navigate since she is ok getting round the house ? X

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Yes, good idea.

[@stephaniemac7635]

@@Shaping_Serenity excellent, just popped into my head as I’m lay watching you ladies in bed. It’s 10:52pm here in Scotland x

[@wessia45]

Good job Jess!!!

[@suesmithwick2131]

Jess and Val, my oldest granddaughter spent the night last night. For breakfast we had sausage and tator crispys. She love those potato round crispys like you. I fixed sausage gravy for her to try but she wasn't found of it. So my mom and brother ate the gravy with biscuits.

[@angiesmith1173]

She Can cut the butter. Yes she can. It really strikes my nerves when people criticize y’all. Like walk a day in someone else’s shoes b4 u give unwarranted rude advice. But Bessie can cut butter 🧈 cuz mom is a patient leader ❤️💯💪

[@CCBeanzzz]

As an able bodied, sighted person it is so easy to forget how many steps and how difficult it can be do so these simple tasks. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks that she needs to learn in order to function on a daily basis?

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Oh yes.

[@skyemckee5014]

Good job Jess

[@jillianjo-e9y]

All that and it's only 6:30!!! You are so pleasant at that hour. I need to switch to your brand of coffee! Lol

[@Shaping_Serenity]

😄

[@daniellerowell8212]

Val please add professional backscratcher to your resume. Another great video!

[@Shaping_Serenity]

😄 Thank you!

[@helensmith669]

Well done jess you will soon be making your mom breakfast too x

[@amberortiz143]

Good job J 🥰

[@debrajohnson4919]

Sweet Jess.

[@mamapenny7744]

Hey awesome job on those grits! I love ur enjoying the pooches!!

[@sharondinwiddie308]

Tell Jess she can make me grits anytime!

[@Shaping_Serenity]

😊❤️

[@rileytostinos4813]

Dang, Jess.. ur gonna have to make me some 🤌👀🤣

[@sherryhart519]

I can def telll that Jess is the oldest child. She has leadership skills. I hear her with the dogs and she is wanting to be so independent.

[@AuthenticallyCheryl]

So cute…..sorry ‘bout that. It happens sometimes. 😆

[@lizaj74]

Did you know that the triangles @ the top sides of juice boxes pull out like wings so they can hold the box by them so they don’t push the juice out when just opened?

[@Shaping_Serenity]

I did not know that!

[@melissalushington9045]

Check my blogs on Verge of Independence Project. Express your thoughts in your next video!

[@autisticrebornmommy]

Great job making ur breakfast jess ur so independent I love ur videos and can't wait for u to get a new gog

[@tyreesetjjoyner1995]

Good video

[@Carballoca]

Great job Jess on making your own breakfast!! Another step toward your independence!! 👍🏻👍🏻 Was Jess chewing her meds? It was making me shiver. 🤢🤮🤣

[@Shaping_Serenity]

No, she doesn’t chew them. She moves them to a certain place in her mouth before drinking the water.

[@naturalhabitatvideoseries255]

Val…. Jessica is so hands on/tactile etc, why they didn’t teach her Braille is beyond me. You can clearly see the input she gets from touching things etc…

[@Shaping_Serenity]

Yes, a sad thing that they wouldn’t.

[@kel70]

Hi Jess and Val..... Just curious Val, I know she takes a daily nap but, when she's up that early and not sleeping well does her bed time change or do you still try to keep it consistent/routine for her regardless? And, for you too I just realized. Your sleep pattern must be all over the place most of the time if she's not sleeping well?

[@Shaping_Serenity]

We keep the sleep schedule fairly consistent, minus the recent not sleeping well. I’m hoping we can break out of that pattern soon. Some days she doesn’t want to nap, and I never insist. I recently moved my bedroom upstairs and next to Jess, so no, I’m not sleeping great either. 😄

[@kel70]

@@Shaping_Serenity 🤣 As soon as I read that you moved your bedroom next Jess I instantly had this image in my mind of you waking up with your head boppin' to Dirty Rap comin' thru your walls at like 4 in the morning. 😉😁😆

[@angelajackson8029]

Hello , I'm from the UK , what are grits , porridge oats ? Sweet or savoury ? Thank you x

[@Shaping_Serenity]

It is ground corn. Some people eat with butter, salt, and pepper, and some eat with butter and sugar.

[@denisehunt9527]

If you wont let her to crack an egg, get those thin gloves like the ones in a box of hair color, now she won't have to get egg hands

[@Shaping_Serenity]

We actually have an egg cracker now, I have just forgotten to let her try it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it works!

[@denisehunt9527]

Val, that's cool!!! Now is cereal. 😉

[@dawnritchie5660]

Jess seems a little wobbly today, hope she is ok

[@Shaping_Serenity]

She just woke up super early.

[@dawnritchie5660]

Good, hope your having a happy day