Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp

books2inspire — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:00:47 +0000

I am so excited to say that Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp is out today!!!

I know I’m cheesy but, on another note…this book has truly been a labor of love. I can’t tell you how much blood, sweat, and tears has been put into this book. Self-publishing is probably the greatest challenge I have ever taken on and it requires a level of tediousness that is not in my repertoire of skills and abilities. However, I relish in challenging myself to do new things and eventually master them to the point when I can do them without thinking. I have a few books under my belt, but I still miss things here and there prompting me to constantly make changes. So luckily for you, you get plenty of editions so no one book is the same…lol! I’m a perfectionist (blame my anxiety) so I CAN’T stand for something not to be just the way I like it.

So enough about myself…let me tell you about this inspiration behind the book. This book is inspired by my son, Trey who has autism. Trey is an energetic 9-year-old boy who is very rambunctious and mischievous. He likes to annoy his little brother and test limits. I discovered Trey’s love of cooking when he was 6 and I nurtured it by taking him to cooking classes at Flour Power in Cary, but I think he didn’t like being around other kids so he self-sabotaged by making noises and acting silly. Then the pandemic hit…and we haven’t been back since last year. My hope is that with some maturity and growing older, we can resume these cooking classes. But in the meantime, we will teach him to cook from home. Right now, we have to overcome his fear of the stove. He gets nervous when the oil begins to pop and thinks he is going to get burned. I am trying to encourage him to trust me and know that mommy will do everything in his power to keep him safe. It makes sense for him to feel the way he does but I want him to have independent living skills for when he gets older. So, I will continue to push him and encourage him to be his best self just like I would his neurotypical brother.

Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp is the second book in the Trey the Chef series. This will be one of many books to come. Next book slated in this series Trey the Chef Goes to Paris in 2022. I am so excited for all the books to come regarding this young autistic chef and what he will do next. Here’s a little snippet of my latest release, Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp:

“This little boy has big talent in the kitchen. But will loud noises and bustling classes test his limits… or see him soar?

Trey is so ready to whip up something delicious. Starting his first day at cooking camp, the young autistic chef looks forward to learning more about his most favorite thing in the world. But as soon as he gets there, he struggles to contain his overwhelming anxiety when he confronts the oversized crowd and chaos that ensues.

Scared it’s all becoming more than he can handle, Trey can’t stop his nervous emotions from spiraling out of control. But when someone kind steps in to help him, the determined youngster’s huge “Oh, no!” moment might turn into something oh-so right.

Can Trey overcome the challenges and show off his tasty skills?

In this delightful offering featuring a hero facing developmental obstacles, kids will learn to celebrate the unique gifts and abilities of their peers. From discovering compassion to appreciating each other’s differences, children can develop emotional intelligence while being inspired to nurture individual strengths. Fun recipes and important resources are included for families impacted by autism.

Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp is the charming second installment in the Trey the Chef illustrated children’s book series for ages 4-7. If you and your child like optimistic characters, cheerful settings, and relatable adventures, then you’ll love Kira Parris-Moore’s heartwarming dish.”

Thank you to all my readers and supporters. I can’t say thank you enough for taking the time to read my blogs and purchase my books. Please make sure to leave reviews on Amazon and GoodReads after you read my books. Your support is very much appreciated.

Love and light,

Kira

Seeking Perfection

books2inspire — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 15:15:55 +0000

So this year, I took both of my sons trick-or-treating to the mall. This was the first year I had ever done this and I was excited yet anxious too. Actually, I was partly dreading it because I didn’t know how Trey, my Autistic son, would act. However, I tried to be open-minded, and hoped that the crowd and noises would not overwhelm him. Trey hates being in enclosed public places but since it was raining that day, I didn’t think it was a good idea to take him trick or treating outside. So, I took my chances with the mall.

Well, to say it was not pure chaos, is an understatement. I mean, long lines to stand to get candy and loud, noisy children darting from one store to the next. Trey probably sensing the chaos, started to get riled up. He is not sensory sensitive (otherwise I would never have taken him to the mall) but he IS sensory seeking. Loud noise and chaos actually stimulate him to the point where his behavior becomes unmanageable. He starts to jump and make loud noises in response to other loud noises. I tried to manage him by talking to him and telling him to stop jumping and to be quiet, but it didn’t work. He was in his groove and you could tell he did this to get out of the situation. He did not want to stand in line and he was not interested in any candy (he does not have a sweet tooth like his brother). The more I tried to calm him down, the worse he got. Eventually, my husband said to me in his quiet deep voice but with a stern tone, “Kira, he is special needs.” I don’t know if it was his tone or what he said but I stopped. I stopped immediately. I stopped nit-picking at Trey’s behavior and trying to get him to be like all the kids, excited and patiently awaiting their candy. I eventually left my son and husband in line and took my other son to the other stores to continue on but I realized in that moment that Trey does not have to behave like the other kids because he is NOT like the other kids. I had an unrealistic expectation that he act “normal” and do as he was told in what was an impossible situation for an Autistic child to act normal. I was actually lucky that this situation had not cause irreparable damage to my son. I need to stop expecting my son to be ‘perfect’ in these very challenging situations. It is unfair for me to have such high expectations for him. I need to be more realistic.

I challenge you as parents to do the same. Do not force your neuroatypical children to be in situations you know they would rather avoid for the sake of pictures, social media, or them appearing normal. Do not get my wrong; there are certain things that your children have to do such as school, church, family get-togethers, supermarket etc. but if it is not necessary and causes your child harm and discomfort, avoid it. If you have to take your child to an event and they act up, it is OK. People such as the general public need to be more understanding of your child’s actions and limitations, not the child having to change to make others more comfortable. I am learning a lot as I journey through parenthood and having a special needs son and I am so glad for the lessons I have learned. I hope you feel the same and come to an understanding and acceptance of your child’s special needs in this complicated world we live in. Also, if I can give you any advice…Skip the mall trick-or-treat, lol!

Love and light,

Kira

black autists – Books2Inspire

Trey the Chef: Cooking Camp

Seeking Perfection