TUNE IN: Jackie Talks "The Talk"

Unlike my false Today Show alarm (apparently the trashy doll segment never aired), I am said to be appearing on today's episode of The Talk (CBS, 2pm ET / 1pm CT/PT).

My relationship with The Talk began a few months back when I was invited -- along with several other southern California bloggers -- to attend a taping and luncheon with the hosts. Given my pre-kid experience working on talk shows (including Sharon Osborne's show back in 2003/2004), I was excited to merge my two professional worlds -- daytime TV and 'mom' blogging.

It was a fantastic experience. The show had a great energy, the hosts were engaging and the episode was just one example of the difference they're trying to make, in addition to entertaining viewers. But it was after the show that made The Talk stand out. Every one of the hosts was genuinely interested in hearing what we thought of the show and how we thought it could be improved. It was refreshing to be around personalities who understand that without viewers, the show cannot succeed. (Keep reading)

Lesson #30: I Won't Shut Up

Since writing my very first blog post back in 2007, I've been like a human turtle, sticking my neck out long enough to be smacked on the nose, sending me quickly back into my shell.

I'm done with that.

I have way too much to say to let comments and opinions get to me. I see each and every one of my life experiences and challenges as a gift, a chance to grow that much closer to being that person I want to be (and know I can be)... and a chance to connect with others who have either been there, might soon find themselves there or maybe know someone there and they want to be able to support them.

Stop California Budget Cuts from Hurting Our Children

It wasn't too long ago that I began to openly blog about our family's autism. In my post, The Autism Secret, I wrote about how we first came to experience the disorder and how early intervention was the most significant step we've taken on our journey so far. I don't even have words for what our entire family has gained from the critical resources we've received through the North LA Country Regional Center; a private, non-profit organization providing services and support to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

From 20 months until he turned three, Jacob attended weekly speech and occupational therapy, along with a parent/child social group. We had no idea at the time there would eventually be an autism diagnosis, we just knew our child needed extra help. When we started, Jacob had an extremely difficult time communicating. His speech was limited, he struggled to transition from one activity to another and spent most of his time avoiding eye contact, withdrawing from other people, opting to play with cars and work on puzzles independently.

All I Want for Christmas Is To Kiss Tom Bergeron

While boys everywhere are lining up to see Tron opening tonight, my 6-year-old will most likely want to snuggle up on the couch and catch his favorite show -- America's Funniest Videos. For the past several months, the knock-down, hit-in-the-crotch, people-pranking, pet-dancing, baby-vomiting program has ruled the airwaves in the Mac household.

But it's not his love of America's antics that's so fascinating, it's his absolute adoration of host Tom Bergeron. Funny enough, my dad shares a similar feeling. He's been known to comment favorably on the fellow Boston-bred Bergeron while we're back visiting family in Massachusetts. Jacob perfectly mimics Tom's hosting skills, reciting the voice over back at us while riding in the car... sitting at dinner... lying in bed. Maybe his uncanny ability to recall and regurgitate script and tone will make him a very lucrative voice over artist one day.

Sure, Tom Bergeron keep keeps himself busy juggling AFV and Dancing with the Stars for ABC, but for our family, his most important role is the one he has played in helping Jacob reach an incredible milestone.

The Autism Secret

I sat by the bay, sipping tea as the kids set out to discover uncharted territory. We were spending time with an old friend and her family on a recent trip to San Francisco. Funny how visits like that always leave me feeling contemplative, triggering memories of a life that seems so long ago and catching up on the selves we sometimes barely recognize in the midst of homework, activities and running a household.

We laughed as we reminisced about our days of working in television together. I swear if I closed my eyes and blocked out the sound of the playing kids, I could almost remember the girls we were -- enthusiastic about the future, filled with curiosity, wondering how it all would go. She and I had taken different paths since those days, but Facebook and our respective blogs were helpful in keeping us connected through the years. Before she even spoke, I knew about her family adventures and how they had lived for almost two years on a beautiful boat docked at a northern California marina. And I didn't have to go into too much detail about life as a minivan-driving suburban wife, she had kept up with my world as well.

But it was only a few minutes in to our three hour visit that I realized that while we had kept in touch, there was so much that was never conveyed online or through holiday cards. Because while I have been known to share the long road to finally bringing our daughter home and those fearful nights my son spent fighting asthma in the ICU, I've never really come out and talked directly about one of our biggest struggles -- our family's autism.