Recommitting to self-care

If you’ve listened to the podcast or even my Facebook Lives, you’ve probably heard me talk about hitting a wall last year. I don’t share this for sympathy or anything like that. I talk about it because I desperately want you to never experience what I went through. Last year and part of this year, I experienced the worst period of burnout I’ve ever experienced. It lasted about six months and took me to a very, very dark place. I don’t want to delve into that darkness right now but it was bad enough that I never want to experience it again and it took a tremendous amount of energy to keep a smile on my face so no one knew I was struggling. I was able to mask what…

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Helping kids learn to manage their big emotions with Mightier

Hey parents, some days don't you just feel like you're riding an emotional roller coaster? Trust me, I've been there. Navigating the stormy seas of big emotions with your autistic child can feel overwhelming. It's hard seeing your child struggle, and sometimes you might feel lost and alone. But I promise – you're not alone. You're doing an amazing job, and there's help out there. Have you heard of Mightier? I’ve been talking about it for years. This game-changing tool entered my life when I needed it the most. Developed by the brains at Harvard Medical and Boston Children's Hospital, Mightier is not just a collection of super fun video games. It's a lifeline, a guide to teach our kiddos how to better regulate their emotions. I know it might…

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Unveiling the Unique Advantages of Weighted Pillows for Kids with #Autism, #ADHD, and #Sensory Processing Disorders

When it comes to supporting children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders, the significance of sensory tools cannot be overstated. Weighted pillows are a brand new invention and have emerged as a powerful resource, providing numerous benefits that make them a preferred choice over weighted blankets, especially for children. In this post, we will briefly delve into the advantages of weighted pillows and explore why they excel in meeting the unique needs of kids with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. Use the code “theautismdad” and save 15% Shop Weighted Pillows by Quiet Mind Targeted Deep Pressure Stimulation:Weighted pillows offer the advantage of targeted deep-pressure stimulation. Unlike weighted blankets that cover the entire body, pillows can be strategically placed on specific areas, such as the lap, back, or shoulders.…

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Yoga for Stress Relief: Techniques to Find Inner Peace

Life can sometimes be overwhelming, bringing physical and psychological challenges. Fortunately, yoga is a powerful method for subduing stress and reaping inner peace.  By combining physical postures, breath control, and meditative exercises, the holistic practice of yoga helps manage stress levels and restore inner tranquility.  (Source: Pexels) Understanding Stress and its Impact: Stress can harm our physical and mental health, posing many problems that can be challenging to solve. Numerous medical conditions, including headaches, sadness, poor energy, emotional instability, and a decreased capacity to concentrate, can be brought on by chronic stress. It is crucial to recognize the origins of stress, consider its impacts, and take significant steps to cope with and control it to battle its harmful effects. You can explore resources to gain deeper insights into the underlying causes…

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It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress

I’m really excited about today. We’re all going over to my brother’s house for the 4th and it’s gonna be awesome. There will be some new people there and it’s gonna be awesome. The boys are currently helping my parents on a project in the backyard while I’m getting caught up on some work. I’ve got quite a few writing gigs to finish and publish, so I’m spending the day getting that stuff done. Gavin has started his first job and it’s going incredibly well so far. Elliott is back at work during the week and so it’s just Emmett and me during the day. I’m trying to finish up my office to recording studio conversion and I’m hoping to paint next week. The drywall repairs were quite extensive and…

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Balancing Autism Parenting: Humor and Raw Emotion with Tara Reynolds and Lauren Flack (S6E20)

On this week’s episode: Tara and Lauren are back by popular demand and we’re taking on topics that you sent in. Today we’re talking about finding balance when you have neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. It’s an incredibly emotional conversation filled with lots of tears and laughter. This hit very close to home for all three of us and I hope listening to us share our experiences reminds you that you’re not alone

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How to Juggle Elderly Parents and Younger Children

Juggling the demands of children and elderly parents is tough. Both generations need care and finding the right balance can lead to a lot of strain on the generation caught in between. If you are caught up trying to take care of elderly parents who can no longer cope as well, while raising a young family, this article is for you.  Understand Your Priorities With so many things on your plate, it’s important to assess what your main priorities are. Some things will inevitably be more important than others, and you may need to delegate a few tasks to other people you trust, such as a partner, your close friends, or siblings. No man or woman is an island and trying to do everything will lead to burnout eventually. Identify what…

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A Short Guide to Help You Care for Children with Dysphagia

Caring for children with swallowing difficulties—also known as dysphagia—can be incredibly challenging. Not only are you faced with the prospect of finding food and drinks that your child actually enjoys, but you also need to make sure they are safe to consume.  Swallowing difficulties require special care and attention to ensure your child’s nutritional needs are met while at the same time reducing the risk of choking, aspiration, and other complications during mealtimes.  Here is a short guide to help you care for children with dysphagia. Provide Age-Appropriate, Nutritious Foods According to Children’s Health, swallowing difficulties are common in kids: between 25% and 45% of children have some form of dysphagia. To ensure your child consumes a well-balanced diet that is safe and nutritious, make sure you provide them with healthy, age-appropriate food items…

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