Parenting Advice
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Ever found yourself hovering over your kid like a drone on a top-secret mission? Welcome to the world of helicopter parenting—where our overprotective instincts go into overdrive, and suddenly, we’re tracking every school assignment, playground interaction, and snack break like the FBI on a high-stakes case. But is it helping our kids—or are we just…
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Parenting trends come and go, but one that’s been gaining steam lately is gentle parenting. It’s all about nurturing your child’s emotional well-being, treating them with respect, and keeping the peace in the household. Sounds lovely, right? Who wouldn’t want to raise emotionally intelligent little humans? Unfortunately, gentle parenting doesn’t work like that. But, before…
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When you suspect your child may be on the autism spectrum, it can feel like a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anxiety, and sometimes even relief that you’re beginning to understand your child a little more. As a mom of a nonverbal 11-year-old with autism, I’ve been exactly where you are right now. It’s overwhelming, and that’s…
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Stay-at-home mom depression is a real and significant issue that many mothers face. It isn’t a taboo topic. It certainly isn’t something you should be ashamed of. The constant demands of childcare, household responsibilities, and isolation would weigh anyone down. Being a stay-at-home mom can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be incredibly…
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Are dogs and autistic children a perfect match or a disastrous pairing? Adding absolutely anything new to a household with autistic children is a terrifying idea. When I found out I was pregnant with my second child, there was a conflicting mixture of happiness and fear. Sure, I was excited about having a new addition…
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Autism. It’s a scary word. I have an 11-year-old son on the spectrum, and I still probably wouldn’t know for sure how to answer if someone asked me what parenting an autistic child meant. My son was a little over two years old when his pediatrician referred him to be officially diagnosed as being on…
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Aggression in autistic children is more common than most people realize, especially for kids who are nonverbal or struggle to communicate. As the mother of a child on the spectrum, one of the hardest things I’ve lived through is being the direct target of that aggression. You’re exhausted, you’re hurting, and you’re standing there asking…
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Is your child dye-sensitive? Artificial dyes are notorious for causing behavioral reactions in children on the spectrum—especially Red 40. In my experience, drinks containing Red 40 can trigger intense emotional reactions and even aggressive outbursts in my son. Once you start reading ingredient labels, you’ll be shocked to see just how many “kid-friendly” drinks include…
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As the mother of a child on the spectrum, the most offensive and annoying statements I get are: “He’s just a picky eater,” or “he’ll eat when he’s hungry.” In reality, he is not a picky eater and no amount of hunger will encourage him to consume a food he is averse to. Sensory food…
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Being a mother is incredibly difficult. It would be pretty easy to make a list of all the ways motherhood is challenging. But, today let’s talk about just one. Self-care. And, I’m not talking about remembering to take a shower, brush your hair, and when the last time you changed the shirt you are wearing…