Hello, my favorite children!
As I begin this new business adventure, I want to take a few minutes and write you a little letter. Why? Because while the business I’m building is heavily based on my experiences parenting you both, it isn’t about you.
While I own my experience of parenting you both, some of the stories we’ve created together, aren’t mine to share. I promise you both (and the whole, wide internet), that I won’t share stories about what happens in your lives without your permission.
I'm not going to talk about the good times, and I’m not going to share the hard times either. Your privacy is more important to me than chasing clout or growing my business. After all that we’ve been through, maintaining the positive, loving relationship I have with you will always be my #1 priority.
When I first started my copywriting business, a mentor told me the best thing I could do for myself was to figure out my “why.” What was the Big Reason that made me want to create a business?
It only took a minute or two to realize the reason I started my marketing agency was to create a secure financial future for both of you. Well, that and I kinda wanted a hot tub and to hire a cleaning service on the reg.
But more than anything, I wanted you to both be able to live happy, independent lives, regardless of whether you could support yourselves financially. With love, I don’t want you living in my basement forever. I want independence for you both! And I want the same for me and your dad.
While it’s nice to think if you need financial support, SSDI will provide what you need. But I know firsthand the struggles that go along with updating and processing the paperwork that comes along with that. Plus, what they offer barely keeps you above the poverty line. I want more for you!
So I built my marketing agency with the idea that it was all building towards your ability to live independently when you were able. And for a few years, that was enough for me. You both were doing so well! When Dad was able to semi-retire and spend more time with us, I thought things were going great…
Yet, in the back of my mind, I had a niggly idea.
I wanted to take my experience with raising two NeuroSpicy kids and combine it with my marketing know-how to build something to help other parents. But I didn’t know how to do that without talking about our difficult times or sharing our lives…that was all everyone else doing.
Then, as luck would have, a series of wild and wonderful events happened and it all “clicked” into place…
I’d create a self-care coaching program for parents of autistic kids. It’d help them become the best version of themselves so they could show up for their kids. Everyone would benefit!
It’d be easy to share my experience and focus on helping struggling parents. Plus, I’d never have to delve into our stories to do it…they aren’t mine to share without your permission.
As I write this, it is late April 2023. One of you is sleeping and one of you is outside making “flower soup” for the kitten. The past few weeks have been a blur of thrown-together last-minute dinners, finishing up homeschooling in a hurry, a bit too much screen time, and me being in the office for 10+ hours a day.
Launching a business is tough! It has taken me away from both of you a lot more than I would like. And I hope if you ever read this one day, you’ll understand where I was and why I was doing what I was doing.
I also hope you will understand that while parenting you was hard, it wasn't always because you’re autistic. Parenting is just freaking hard!
The world isn’t always kind and understanding. A lot of our struggles have been due to my lack of information and support. I hope that when I show parents in the same situation there’s another way forward, I can help them avoid many of the mistakes I’ve made along the way.
So, if you’re someone who isn’t my kid reading this letter, know that you will not find meltdown videos or personal stories about our hardest days. Believe me, there are some stories I could share...
I’m here to help you, not ruin the relationship I have with my kids. I won’t share private stories about our lives for your benefit or amusement.
In the future, if my wee feral beasts decide they want to be part of what I’ve built and they’re looking to use their voice to help others, that may change.
But for now, you get me and my experience. And trust me, that’s more than enough.
Speaking of experience, looking for my go-to list of self-care strategies that actually work for parents like you? You know, the things that helped me create two businesses while homeschooling my two autistic kids…
Click here to get your free copy of my mini-eBook, 7 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress: A Guide For Parents of Autistic Children! It's packed with the types of self-care ideas that will actually work for you and your family. Grab your copy today, and start your self care journey.
Meet your self-care coach!
