If you're raising a child with PDA (clinically known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, though many in the autistic community prefer Persistent Drive for Autonomy), you know what it’s like to live in the land of no.
No to getting dressed.
No to brushing teeth.
No to leaving the house.
No to things they actually want to do.
No while they're doing the thing you asked them to do.
No that seems to come before they even hear the question.
It can be exhausting, confusing, even infuriating. And if you’re anything like me, it can leave you questioning yourself as a parent - or worse, questioning your child’s heart.
But Jesus tells a story that speaks directly to this place.
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There was a time when I couldn’t tell the difference between a meltdown and defiance.
When our boys were very young, they would stomp or slam doors or throw something across the room when they were upset, my gut response was: How dare you? That's unacceptable!
Because that’s what I’d been taught to believe - about children, about behavior, and about what “respect” should look like.
But slowly, Jesus began softening my eyes.
