About Jody B. Miller
MOM OF THREE AMAZING KIDS, WORK HAPPINESS EXPERT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND TEDX SPEAKER
Raising a child like Christopher, whose journey has been interwoven with challenge and triumph, has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. From the moment we realized he was navigating the world differently, our lives became a mosaic of advocacy, love, and learning a language beyond words.
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We discovered early on that music was a gateway to Christopher's communication. The rhythm and melodies became the bridge between his silence and expression. Singing was not just a pastime; it was a lifeline. Each note he echoed back to us was a word we longed to hear spoken. It was his unique way of talking to us, and we sang countless tunes, celebrating every new word as a monumental success.
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​But not every gaze held the warmth of understanding. People often stared; their eyes spoke a language of pity and discomfort. The world wasn't ready for a boy like Christopher, who didn’t fit neatly into their expectations. Yet, those stares only fueled my determination to be his pillar, his voice, until he found his own.
The path through education was a thicket of red tape and well-meaning but misaligned suggestions. School administrators saw a special education label as the destination, while I saw it as a route with many paths. Insistence on sign language and computers became part of the school mantra.
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I had to stand firm in refusal, often against a tide of professionals, to ensure his education was a journey that celebrated his capabilities, not just a placement that made the school's job easier.
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Being an advocate for Christopher meant becoming a learner myself. I absorbed the silent language of his needs and wants, and the loud advocacy required to make them heard. I had to fight, persist, and educate others constantly about what he could achieve.
Samantha, my eldest, was a stark contrast, a child whose abilities sparkled from the start. That knowing pose she struck at 11 months on the Westport, CT boardwalk was prophetic.
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Her notes, penned with the meticulous hand of an organized mind, seemed to lay out a path for her that was as straight as her penmanship. "Future CEO," I thought (and still do).
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Her journey through private education was both a blessing and a quandary, shaping her but also exposing the complexities of a system that worked for her yet might not for all.
With Cole, my youngest child, the path was different again—a tennis pro whose journey was neither about the eloquence of words nor the precision of academics, but the emotional intelligence that often goes unseen in traditional measures of success.
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With Cole, I learned the power of silence—the heavy ride home after lost matches, the unspoken resilience being built with each defeat. His school years challenged him, but he emerged as a leader, his emotional acuity driving his success.
Raising Great KIDZ, born from the deep wells of personal experience, research and advocacy, is a haven for parents who navigate the vast spectrum of child-rearing.
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From the exhilarating highs to the aching lows, it is a testament to the belief that success is nuanced and happiness is paramount.
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As parents, we cherish their victories, but it's their joy that truly reflects our own.
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The accolades, the milestones, the careers are indeed significant—but they pale in comparison to the inner contentment of our children.
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Our role is not to pave their way with our footsteps but to illuminate the path so they can find their own stride.
Join me as I share insights that transcend the conventional, fostering greatness not just in achievement, but in spirit.
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Raising Great KIDZ is more than just a resource; it’s a companion in the most meaningful journey of all: raising children who are not only accomplished but, above all, happy.
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Here, we don't just aim for success; we aim for fulfillment, for joy, for a sense of peace that comes from knowing you've helped nurture a whole, content human being.
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Welcome to the journey; you're in.