Hey there, lovely listeners! In this episode of NeuroOrdinary, we delve into the sometimes overlooked topic of cultivating emotional resilience in autism parenting.
As a parent to two amazingly autistic kiddos, I understand the unique challenges we face and the importance of building our own resilience toolkit. Join me as we explore the significance of emotional resilience and how it serves as our superpower as we face the sometimes (always?!) unpredictable journey of autism parenting.
We'll discuss practical strategies for cultivating resilience, such as the power of pause, mindfulness, and gratitude journaling. I'll guide you through simple and impactful self-care exercises, like the "me time challenge," mindful walking, and creating a gratitude jar. These exercises are tailored specifically to provide the extra boost we need when things get tough.
Together, we'll explore why resilience is not just a luxury, but a necessity for autism parents like us. Fostering resilience isn't about avoiding stress or struggles, but rather facing them head-on and emerging stronger on the other side, just like the sturdy bamboo that bends in the wind but doesn't break.
So grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and join me in this empowering discussion on how to cultivate emotional resilience as autism parents.
Remember, you're doing an extraordinary job, and you're not alone on this journey.
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Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Transcript
Hey, I’m Karen. And I’m a mom to two amazingly neuropsicy autistic kiddos. If you’re an autism parent like me, you know I don’t have the time to make a podcast intro. I also lack the tech skills, so let’s just get into it…this is the NeurOrdinary Podcast!
Hey there, lovely listeners! Welcome back to NeurOrdinary, the podcast where we celebrate the extraordinary journey of autism parenting as we celebrate the NeurOrdinary life you and your family live. Today, we're talking about something I don’t hear mentioned often in the online autism parenting world, and that’s cultivating emotional resilience.
Understanding Resilience
Now, I know the term "resilience" gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean for us as autism parents? Well, I like to think of it this way: Resilience is our superpower – it's that inner strength that helps us bounce back from the challenges we face on our unique, and sometimes challenging, parenting journey. It's not about avoiding stress or struggles; it's about facing them head-on, rolling with the difficulties, and coming out stronger on the other side.
Resilience, to me, is that unyielding strength that allows us to bounce back from the unique challenges this autism parenting journey throws at us, especially when we have to help our kids through times of struggle or distress (like when they have a meltdown).
Resilience isn't about side-stepping stress or avoiding hurdles; it's about realizing they are going to happen, facing them head-on with empathy, compassion, and awareness, then not letting the challenges keep us down or stuck in a place of overwhelm or even trauma. As autism parents, our journey is rife with unpredictability. That's where resilience comes in – the power to adapt, learn, and grow from every experience, no matter how tough it was to go through.
Now, why is this resilience thing so crucial for us? Well, the reality is, autism parenting can be a roller coaster of feelings, events, and challenges. You know it comes with its highs and lows, unexpected turns, and moments that can knock us off balance. That's precisely why resilience is so important – cultivating resilience helps steady us in the face of adversity, and allows us to not only help our kids through the challenges they’re facing but helps make sure we have what we need to stay healthy and thriving long term.
Consider it the foundation of emotional well-being in our unique circumstances. We're not talking about a shield that deflects challenges; we're talking about an anchor that keeps us grounded, helping us weather the storm.
And let's be real, the need for resilience isn't just about tough times. It's a fundamental skill that enhances our ability to savor the sweet moments, connect with our children, and find joy in the midst of everyday chaos. Plus, it’s a pretty freaking awesome thing to model for our kids who often don’t come pre-wired with the ability to navigate challenges in a healthy way. So, how do we cultivate this essential skill?
Building Your Resilience Toolkit
Simple. You need to build a resilience toolkit! And it isn’t hard to build one. You just need a few simple tools to help you when the going gets tough so you can be the parent your kid needs and also stay the person you want to be. So let’s grab our metaphorical toolkit because we're going to fill it with self-care practices that promote resilience.
Tool 1: The Power of Pause
First up, the power of pause. In the chaos of our daily lives, taking a moment to pause can be a game-changer. It's not about avoiding responsibilities; it's about creating intentional moments of stillness. Try this – find a quiet corner, take a deep breath, and let go of the tension in your shoulders. Pause, breathe, reset.
“The Pause” is also a huge part of responding to any stressful situation with your child. There is a quote I love that is often attributed to Victor Frankl that says “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.” For us as autism parents, that space plays a huge role in how we parent our kids and care for ourselves. Practice noticing the space, and actively choosing how you respond the the stimulus, your child’s actions or needs, and how you act on your response. In the pause, there is the opportunity for so much healing and resilience.
Tool 2: Mindful Moments
Next in our toolkit – mindful moments. In the whirlwind of appointments, therapies, and to-do lists, it's easy to lose ourselves. Mindfulness brings us back to the present moment. It's not about stopping the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain. Try this – pick a daily activity, maybe sipping your morning coffee or walking to the mailbox, and do it with complete awareness. Feel the warmth of the cup, notice the sensation of each step. Mindful moments, my friend, can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. And they train your brain to appreciate what is happening around you in a calm, balanced, and fully aware head space…which, incidentally, all make embracing the pause a lot easier to do!
Tool 3: Gratitude Journaling
Now, let's talk about gratitude journaling. Resilience grows in the soil of gratitude. It's not about ignoring challenges; it's about acknowledging the good amidst the chaos. So grab a journal – every day, jot down three things you're grateful for. They can be as simple as your kiddo smiling at you, or being thankful for your washing machine… Seriously, where would I even be without my washing machine? The answer I guess is the laundromat, and that’s a big “wow, no thank you!” from me. At any rate, gratitude journaling is a small act that can have a big impact on our perspective and our resilience. I’ll link to some resources for you to check out in the show notes that will help you get your gratitude on.
Why autism parents need a resilience toolkit…
Building resilience, much like self-care in general, isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for autism parents. As the architects of our children's support systems, our resilience impacts their well-being. The challenges we face on our unique parenting journeys can be overwhelming, and that's precisely why fostering resilience is non-negotiable. It's not about avoiding stress or struggles; it's about facing them head-on and emerging stronger on the other side.
You need to be the bamboo – flexible, bending in the wind, but not breaking. And just like bamboo, our strength lies in our ability to adapt and bounce back strong.
Actionable Self-Care Exercises:
Alright, now that our toolkit is getting hefty, let's dive into some actionable self-care exercises…they give us that extra boost when the going gets tough.
Exercise 1: The "Me Time" Challenge
First up, the "Me Time" challenge. I challenge you to carve out just 15 minutes each day for yourself. It could be reading a chapter of a book, sipping tea in silence, or just closing your eyes and breathing. Trust me, this small investment in yourself will pay dividends in resilience.
Exercise 2: Mindful Walking
Next, let's lace up our metaphorical walking shoes for mindful walking. Turn your daily stroll into a mindfulness exercise. Feel the ground beneath your feet, and notice the rhythm of your breath. This simple act of combining movement with mindfulness can be a powerful stress-buster.
Exercise 3: Gratitude Jar
Lastly, let's create a gratitude jar. Get a jar, and some colorful paper, and each day, write down one thing you're grateful for. Drop it into the jar. On tough days, open the jar and relive those moments of gratitude. It's like creating a treasure trove of resilience.
For more helpful self-care activities specifically tailored for autism parents like you, check out my free resource “7 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress: A Guide for Parents of Autistic Children '' available on my website at outofyourordinary.com. I’ll link to it in the show notes.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – our journey into cultivating emotional resilience. Remember, resilience is not a destination; it's a journey, and you're not alone! There are so many other parents who are in your shoes, and I’m glad you’ve found our community here at the NeurOrdiary podcast.
As we wrap up today's episode, I want you to take a moment for yourself. Pause, breathe, and acknowledge the strength within you. And always remember, you're doing an extraordinary job.
Thanks for listening! New episodes of the NeurOrdinary Podcast drop every Thursday. Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and if you’re feeling generous leave a comment or review to let me know what you thought about today’s episode. If you know an autism parent who would benefit from hearing what we’ve talked about today, please share this episode with them. And whatever you do, keep it spicy!
Meet your self-care coach!
