Afleveringen
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How to find strength and acceptance in inclusive parenting with Sonali Vongchusiri.
A mindful exploration of belonging versus fitting in, and combating internalized ableism.
Sonali is a highly-sensitive mom with three deeply-feeling and strong-willed kids. She also happens to be legally blind and have albinism. With her heartwarming stories and profound revelations, Sonali teaches us that you don't have to fit in to truly belong.
In this episode, we'll discuss the beauty of embracing one's true self, and the power of labels in accessing support and understanding. Sonali shares her journey of accepting her visual impairment, and transforming her internal struggle with albinism into strength.
The compassionate way she and her children embrace their differences fosters a family dynamic rich in confidence, humor, and sensitivity to individual needs.
By the end of the episode, you'll be able to answer these 3 questions:
1. How has Sonali's journey of embracing her albinism and visual impairment influenced the way she parents and advocates for her neurodivergent children?
2. How can parents balance the need to tell their children about their disability without inducing feelings of being an outsider or internalized ableism?
3. What are some strategies to create an environment of belonging for atypical kids, both within the family and in wider social settings?
With her heartwarming stories and profound revelations, Sonali teaches us that you don't have to fit in to truly belong.
Read the full transcript, listen to the podcast, watch the video, and subscribe to the blog for more connection and support at â Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blogâ : â https://katelynch.substack.com/â
â â â Connect with Sonali and Forward Together Parenting:
â Forward Together Parentingâ
â Raising Your Strong Willed Child Facebook Groupâ
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone. Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.
Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow! If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
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Happy Autism Awareness-Acceptance-Appreciation Month!
This popular episode from the archives of 2020 is worth a listen for the honest perspective of an autistic kid who can and does advocate for himself. Hearing that little high voice compared to the deep one he has now, I'm almost nostalgic...
...but not really!
_______
Advice for parents of atypical kids, from Ocean as he begins his 5th grade year, amid pandemic confusion.
He offers simple, logical suggestions about parenting anyone, really, in a mindful, observant and collaborative way.
Ocean has some thoughts about when parents should tell their kid about their diagnosis.
He has strong feelings about the way his ABA Pre-K tried to deal with his aversion to snaps and buttons. He did look adorable at his Aunt's wedding, but he definitely was NOT wearing a tie.
Then I share a mindfulness practice to help you appreciate the present moment, just in case you're like me and the millions of other parents who feel guilty from time to time. You are not alone. Ruminating about the past or expecting ourselves to be perfect parents isn't helpful. Befriend the feelings, learn the lessons, let it go.
Grab your Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet here:
https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Why Curiosity Helps You SHINE as a Parent of Neurodiverse Kids
I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Arbeau, an inspiring life and health coach, and a resilient mom navigating the challenging yet rewarding journey of raising neurodiverse children. The result is a moving podcast episode full of twists and turns, as we follow her 21-year parenting story.
Valerie introduces us to the "SHINE Principle" that has guided her through the tumultuous parenting of her two neurodiverse children with grace and strength. From navigating her child's non-binary identity to pioneering ways for her non-verbal daughter to communicate, Valerie's story is a testament to the power of acceptance, support, and unwavering love. Valerie advocates for attentive parenting, learning to tune in to the diverse ways her children convey their needs, a skill she humbly admits wasn't always second nature.
We discuss how to overcome parental burnout. I asked Valerie about communication devices, low demand parenting, pathological demand avoidance, autism, adhd, cerebral palsy, and more.
The practical suggestions in her book, âThe SHINE Principle," along with the relatable stories, will motivate you to care for yourself, which will positively impact your whole neurodiverse family.
https://amzn.to/3VeMWKj
As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join us as we embrace the curiosity, compassion, and understanding that helps us SHINE as parents of neurodiverse kids.
Coaching With Valerie Anne
https://bit.ly/3RL0da2
Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: â â https://katelynch.substack.com/â
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone. Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.
Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
Ocean and I were swapping YouTube videos about bullying, and we decided to record a conversation. I'm a bit anxious about Ocean starting middle school next year. 'Bullies' are everywhere throughout life, so it is important to me that we keep an open dialogue.
Please note that we are NOT talking about any sort of physical abuse.
Brooks Gibbs has been on my radar for a while. In general his approach makes a lot of sense to me; way more sense than some of the traditional vilifying/shaming/victimizing strategies imposed top-down by school systems. Gibbs categorizes bullies as someone who either feels that they have been wronged, are power hungry, or they actually think they are being funny. He shares ways to defuse all three.
I agree with Gibbs about not reacting to the mean words, or being extra kind. However, I don't agree with "Don't get upset."
Be aware of who it is safe to SHOW you're upset with.
Mindfulness can help us defer our reactions. We can postpone them, but eventually our feelings need somewhere to go. I hope everyone, child and adult, has someone safe to talk with about any challenging feelings. Being tough isn't the special sauce here, it is staying calm even though you feel hurt. When you know who is safe to share your feelings with, it is easier to not react to teasing in the moment.
You can proactively role play with your kid, like we did. Then, you can remind your child that we all have hurt feelings. You can model naming your own hurt feelings, and describe how they feel in your body.
Your child can ask themselves, âWhat is happening now?â They might actually pause to notice whatâs happening in their environment. Then, âCan I be with it, or is it too much?â If staying and talking to the bullying kid feels too painful, they need to be empowered to walk away.
These are complex skills for anyone. I was nudging Ocean towards his own conclusions.
Ocean and I laugh a lot in this podcast, but bullying is no laughing matter. Laughter is a coping mechanism, and humor has always been one of his superpowers. I was intentionally being silly about it, not to belittle the topic, but to discharge any residual stress from suppressed memories.
After the chat with Ocean, I share some simple mindfulness tips and scripts, and my guiding light: the serenity prayer.
Brooks Gibbs video: https://youtu.be/7oKjW1OIjuw
At the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity, Atypical Kids Mindful Parents Blog is for parents of neurodivergent kids who want to feel more connected, calm and present. With community and support, we will feel less isolated and more empowered to positively impact our neurodiverse families.Through self-compassion and mindfulness, we can transform our relationships, and co-create a more inclusive world!
Kate Lynch, a highly sensitive parent of an amazing kid with autism and ADHD, supports parents at the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity with calming, grounding practices and relatable parenting stories.
Grab your â â â Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheetâ â â here: â â â https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdownâ
Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:
Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: â https://katelynch.substack.com/
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone.
Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.
Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
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Rebekah Lara has 3 daughters with multiple health challenges. Her story of resilience shows how pursuing our own interests can liberate our whole family.
Rebekah joined me to talk about time freedom and the importance of pursuing our own interests as parents. Her story is one of resilience, wisdom, and hope that's going to resonate with so many of you. We discuss the transformative power of setting boundaries, the grace found in accepting help, and the unequivocal importance of self-care.
With 3 neurodivergent daughters, her life changed course when faced with the significant health challenges of her eldest daughter, a survivor of acute liver failure and subsequent multiple organ failure. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Rebekah navigated this complex journey with calm determination. As she marks the sixth year since her life took this unexpected turn, her personal struggle turned into her missionâaiming to support other parents navigating similar paths.
Rebekah's experience is not just a tale of survival but a testament to her dedication to bring understanding, freedom, and hope to families like hers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/simplebusinesssystems
https://www.instagram.com/the.rebekah.lara/
At the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity, Atypical Kids Mindful Parents Blog is for parents of neurodivergent kids who want to feel more connected, calm and present. With community and support, we will feel less isolated and more empowered to positively impact our neurodiverse families. Through self-compassion and mindfulness, we can transform our relationships, and co-create a more inclusive world!Kate Lynch, a highly sensitive parent of an amazing kid with autism and ADHD, supports parents at the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity with calming, grounding practices and relatable parenting stories.
Grab your â â â Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheetâ â â here: â â â https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdownâ
Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:
Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: â https://katelynch.substack.com/Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone. Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.
Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
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As parents of neurodivergent kids, we know, when it RAINS, it pours.
I'm re-releasing this popular episode now because times are hard!
In the process of living a life of meaning, my vulnerability arises.
Emotionally raw places become exposed, and my precarious serenity is challenged not only by my relationship with my son, but by life in general.
Join me in a self-compassion process which has helped me heal my underlying emotional wounds. Recognize, allow, investigate and nurture your uncomfortable feelings, and then saturate your nervous system with compassion.
I first learned RAIN from meditation teacher Tara Brach.
Grab your â Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheetâ here:
â https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
How do you collect and ground yourself during a tense parenting moment? How will you survive the storm of your child's big emotions?
This is a re-release of our most popular episode.
Try a visualization, meditation or breath pattern and practice until it becomes part of you.
Nichi's pug Millie sat in on our chat, and gives her comfort when life is a challenge.
I know you will relate to Nichi when she asks, "How do I extract myself from my kids so I can ground myself? I need something quick that helps in the moment."
My answer isn't earth shattering...
Repeat a simple practice that anchors you.
Your anchor can be any visualization, meditation or breath pattern that you practice a lot until it becomes part of you. Then, you can reach for it to anchor you when the seas get stormy, even if you can't leave your kid in the moment.
Practice when you're alone, then during a calmer time with your kids, then during the aftermath of a tough moment, and finally during a meltdown.
It is not instantaneous. Give yourself permission to be imperfect and practice.
You are the one you can most readily affect, so keep the focus on yourself.
Nichi and I discussed some systemic issues that parents are often made to believe we are responsible for.
It can make parents feel really lonely, but you are not alone in these struggles.
Iâm so happy Nichi agreed to share our chat with you. Her four-year-old made an adorable appearance at the end.
Cherished Memory Meditation:
Recall a time you felt held and seen by someone you trust. A time you felt supported, beloved and cherished in your wholeness for exactly who you are. Reach back as far into your past as you need to. Settle your body back into this memory. Recall the sensory impressions associated with that memory. Plant yourself or bathe yourself in the memory. Drink it in. Imagine filling up with the memory. Keep the same memory and practice it often to activate neural pathways.
Remember, you are not alone.
Iâm not trying to fix anyoneâs parenting challenges, I have enough of my own. But it can really help to know weâre not alone. Others are dealing with the same issues and trying to be better parents any way they can. Find a way to connect with other parents.
I would LOVE to hear from you. Leave a voice message to inspire a future episode!
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
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Donât panic about your neurodivergent childâs future, do something!
Whatâs most important for a meaningful life, as far as youâre concerned?
I'm re-releasing this popular episode, which was one of the first Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast episodes.
âAll parenting turns on a crucial question: to what extent parents should accept their children for who they are, and to what extent they should help them become their best selves.â
-Andrew Solomon
This podcast is my answer to that question.
We can set an example by caring for ourselves and others.
By taking responsibility for our own happiness and our relationships.
We have an opportunity to transform. As we do, we can have an impact on the future of our children. Envisioning that future, and taking steps towards it, can help us feel more hopeful and motivated on the parenting path.
When we feel we are making a valuable contribution, our stress response can shift from fight, flight or freeze (panic, yell, compete, abandon, give up or numb out) to attend and befriend: âWeâre in this together, weâve got this!â
You can do a grounding practice, and try a guided visualization.
Journaling and visualizing can help you feel more hopeful and motivated when parenting neurodivergent kids. It can be empowering to have a few steps you can take to teach your child life skills and model the values you hold most dear.
What skills did your caregivers model when you were growing up?
What skills are you modeling in your neurodiverse family?
Where can you grow? What support would help your family?
Visualizing Your Atypical Kidâs Amazing Future: https://oceansmamakate.medium.com/visualizing-an-amazing-future-for-your-atypical-child-fb5ca51c5426
Download the Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet here: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!
If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ review.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
âWhy do you never put your shoes away?â and other questions that aren't helping.
Do you recognize any of these?
âWe need to do it this way!â âWhy can't you follow my system?â âWhy do you never put your shoes away?â âWhy do you always leave your stuff everywhere?ââA lot of times it's because we have these different organizing styles.â
-Audrey Berry
You may have beliefs about how things should be organized in your home, but those ideas arenât helping your kids get out the door in the morning. This podcast will help you organize your home to make it easier for your whole neurodiverse family to navigate.Audrey is an expert in organizing spaces for people with ADHD and has a wealth of knowledge on creating calm and organized homes for neurodiverse families. In this episode, Audrey will be sharing valuable insights on understanding different organizing styles, managing conflicts, and setting up systems that work for your family's unique needs. We'll dive into the concept of visual and non-visual organizing, macro and micro organizing, and how these preferences can impact our home environments. We'll also explore the challenges of morning routines and getting out the door, as well as discuss practical tips for creating functional spaces that support our children's independence. So, get ready to discover a new perspective on organization and find empowerment in creating a calm and organized home for your neurodiverse family.
Audrey has a FREE gift for you as a listener of the Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast:
Your Signature Organizing Style Workbook:
Stop blindly following systems that donât work for your family. Discover the 4 different organizing styles so you can work WITH your strengths to create lifelong organization in your home. Set up a functional home that supports your kidsâ activities of daily living (ADL), life skills, and routines.
https://subscribepage.io/Fp398l
Audrey's website and facebook page:
https://justanorganizedhome.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/justanorganizedhome
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https://katelynch.substack.com/ -
An interview with a parent of grown children about her journey from isolated to empowered, and how you can support others too. Audrey Berry is a parent who can relate to the challenges of raising a child with neurodivergence and disabilities. Although she doesn't have a formal diagnosis herself, Audrey acknowledges the difficulties and frustrations that come with navigating life when things don't seem to work as smoothly as they do for others. She describes it as constantly paddling upstream in a rapid current while others effortlessly float along down a lazy river. Audrey understands firsthand what it's like to be in the trenches, advocating for and supporting her child. Audrey shares her personal experiences and the struggles she has faced in a system that often feels broken. She discusses the feelings of being left behind as a parent, watching other children reach milestones while her own child faces different challenges. Audrey emphasizes the importance of finding support and connecting with other parents who truly understand. As a parent of grown children now, she offers words of encouragement and reminds us of the power in being a listening ear and a source of support for those who are just starting their journey. Stay tuned as we delve into a heartfelt conversation about the realities of parenting atypical kids and the vital role of mindful parents like us in helping each other along the way. Sharing our vulnerabilities and honest experiences is crucial. It helps others move out of isolation and find solace in knowing they're not alone. Audrey's reminder to share our own stories and encourage one another touched me. Let's lift each other up! đ
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids-podcast/id1530252372
Find Kate:
https://katelynch.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/selfregulatedparent/
https://www.youtube.com/@healthyhappyyoga
Look for Audrey in our next episode on organization, and find her here: https://justanorganizedhome.com
Audrey Berry is the creator of Just an Organized Home where she helps creative-messy-ADHD women conquer clutter, learn organization, and reclaim their space. As an ADHD organizing specialist, Audrey is all about functional homes that work for you. She is also a homeschooling alum having graduated her 2 kids, including a special needs child.
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What I love most about Extreme Kids is the emotional space we are given to be ourselves. This is a story I recently shared on my Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog, in 3 parts:
1. How My Neurodiverse Family Found a Space Where We Could Be Ourselves
2. Why a "Perfectly Fine" Coat Can Be Torture if You Have Sensory Aversions
3. A Safe Space for Every Kid to Play Freely Without Judgment or Stares
We hear the glee and upset in dozens of voices, the trampoline squeaking and the ball pit rustling. We see primary colors, swinging swings, and bouncing children. A random soft ball glances off us as we play. We spin on a tire hanging from the ceiling. We land on giant beanbags. Crawl through tunnels. Spin in, pop out of, or hide inside multi-colored foam barrels.
Somehow we arenât overwhelmed, overstimulated, or overtired.
For us itâs an indoor paradise. But the physical space is not what I love most. Itâs the emotional space we are given to be ourselves.
It is also what is absent: dirty looks, unwanted advice, and misunderstanding...
Now, I know itâs a trusting relationship that matters. The kind of acceptance we learned at Extreme Kids. I canât know who we would be as a family without this community, because we were lucky enough to grow up within it. I do know how lonely I felt before I found it.
Who cares if Ocean wears elastic waist pants to his own wedding? I just want him to love and be loved. Now, I believe that it will happen.
A version of this story was first published at MUTHA Magazine.
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Here's how I rewrite the list my inner critic has been writing all night long, and turn inward with compassion.
If today is triggering for you, I hear you, I see you, and you are not alone.
The weight our culture gives to Motherâs Day is a symptom.
An unequal burden is placed on the shoulders of individual parents: the implicit and explicit pressure for the day, much less the childrenâs lives to be perfect. We will crack under that pressure.
Am I on the right path? Am I taking care of this body well enough? This mind? This home? Am I a good enough teacher? Partner? Citizen of the world? Yoga practitioner? Friend?
I know am not the only parent cracking open.
I wake up most mornings overflowing with doubts. But most of all, I doubt my mothering.
Meditation teacher Tara Brach often shares the image of a solid gold Buddha covered over with layers of clay. After centuries, no one knew about the gold until the statue was moved, and accidentally dropped. The cracks revealed the hidden gold shining through. I look for the gold by peering into the cracks in my own wounded psyche.
Iâm parenting my inner child with compassion.
I need to tap into that young, hurt part of me because thatâs where I find the light of compassion. I could tell myself Iâm not her anymore. Iâve grown up. That is true and not true. She is still here. She was broken, and she needs the grown up me to help her heal. As I reach toward her with tenderness, she teaches me about more than my own suffering.
The wound is where the light enters, AND the motherhood myth is crushing, AND cultural inequity is responsible.
I wake every morning and am confronted with my programming, which is telling me I have failed and I need to do more in order to be worthy. My self-compassion practice reminds me:
Self-compassion and mindfulness have helped me become a more loving and authentic friend, partner, teacher, citizen, and parent. I know I am not the only parent cracking open, but when I wake up to the list my inner critic has been writing all night long, it feels lonely. I can hold the big feelings of others because I have held my own. It only feels heavy because it is pure gold.
I think of other parents like me, and Iâm comforted by Leonard Cohenâs line:
âForget your perfect offering.
Thereâs a crack in everything.
Thatâs how the light gets in.â-From âAnthemâ by Leonard Cohen
âDo less. You are enough. You are love.â
đˇâ¤ď¸ I hope your Motherâs Day is healing. â¤ď¸đˇ
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Trouble with tech-related mental health issues and struggles with getting off screens?
Learn a self-regulation strategy that will help you through the eggshell moments, then once you're calm, rethink your family's screen health.
When we help our child make informed choices about their screen life, and balance it with activities that we know support well-being, we will change their very experience of childhood, and that impacts their long term social, emotional and cognitive development.
You can register for FREE here. The summit runs May 15 - 19.
â Register before your kid distracts youâ
Iâve noticed that our whole family is more distracted and irritable when weâve been on our screens for more than a few hours a day⌠which is usually the case.
I am really looking forward to learning from the best experts in the upcoming Screen Time & Mental Health Summit. My hope is that the info will help our family reset our screen time and enjoy each otherâs company again.
Parenting in this screen-addicted culture is hard, and we need any help we can get.
The great news is that we can learn what we can do to protect our kids from these risks. Expert insights, tools and strategies will be shared in the Screen Time & Mental Health Summit! Itâs completely free to attend the summit and it starts Monday, May 15th.
Hereâs the topic for each day:
đĄDay 1: Why Itâs So Hard to Get Off Screens & What to Do About It
đĄDay 2: Kids, Teens, Screens & The Mental Health Crisis
đĄDay 3: Screens, Habits, Hacks & Solutions
đĄDay 4: Bright & Quirky Kids and Technology
đĄDay 5: The Science of Digital & Real Life Well-Being
You can register for FREE here.
The summit runs May 15 - 19.
YouTube, social media, and video games provide kids, teens and adults with an endless bag of brain candy designed to keep us engaged âjust a little longer.â Our kids get hooked, negotiate for more screen time, lose interest in other things and wind up in bottomless digital rabbit holes, creating unwanted stress in the family and mental health issues.
One you can turn to during (or after) your kidâs meltdown to center yourself? Or, is your nervous system ever-vigilant, trying to manage any variable that might cause your kid to blow their stack? If you donât know what to do to shift that dynamic, youâre not alone. Thatâs where I can help.
Do you have a go-to self-regulation strategy?
Walking on eggshells feels awful. When your nerves are in a perpetually hyper-aroused state, your fight-flight mode is switched on and jammed. You wonât be able to take in new information in this state.
You can do something to retrain your nervous system so it isnât stuck in the state of sympathetic arousal! Then, your brain will be available to take in new information and help your family make pivotal changes.
Hereâs a self-regulation strategy you can apply to your life right now, no matter how intense your home environment is. I know it is simple. Simple is good!
Breathing is an efficient way to shift your nervous system towards calm.
Put a hand on your belly.
Observe the natural flow of your breath.
Without forcing, inhale so the bottom third of your lungs expands downward, beyond the bottom of your ribcage. Allow your belly to rise and your waist to puff up. Breathe towards the back of your waist too.
As you breathe out, passively deflate your belly. Let it out slowly.
Keep your chest and shoulders relaxed, sending your breath down low.
Keep it going for a few breaths.
Once you feel your nervous system shift away from fight-flight, you may see your family dynamics with more perspective and hope. Thatâs when new information can have a positive impact. Thatâs when you can get to the root of the issues. You need to feel grounded and safe first, then you can take a new direction.
I know how hard this is, and Iâm grateful that Iâll be learning some new strategies in the upcoming Screen Time & Mental Health Summit. Will you be joining me?
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We asked parents about their struggles, and what question they wanted to ask us about parenting.
Amy Weber and I are planning our next coaching group for parents of neurodivergent kids, and we want your input! The questionnaire will only take a minute or two, and we will reach out personally to answer your questions!
Hear my conversation with Amy Weber, LCSW, as we answer some fantastic questions from parents!
Kate: We are answering questions for the wonderful people who filled out our parent survey, and if you fill out the parent survey this week, we will come back and answer your questions too!
Amy: Thank you to the people who did fill out the survey.
Kate: Yeah. So we're just gonna go in the order that we received them. It's totally anonymous. If this applies to you, good. It might. A lot of these apply to me.
If you haven't submitted a question yet, the survey is here we'd love to hear from you:
https://forms.gle/eye1Ux6CVnSZqgTAA
Hi, Iâm Kate!Iâm a yoga teacher and mindful parenting coach who helps highly sensitive parents self-regulate so they can enjoy parenting their atypical kids. Connect with me at https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/,--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
"My mission is to expand access to aquatics for neurodivergent individuals."
-Nina Sporn
Nina Sporn teaches swimming and tennis to children and young adults, particularly neurodivergent individuals and children with emotional sensitivities that make athletics challenging.
She wants to make sure that people stay safe by learning basic swimming skills, and to consider swimming as a great way to be physically fit. Nina encourages kids to develop confidence through swimming and athletics. "All children are great at something...building a child's self-esteem and self-worth is crucial."
"I have had students who overcame incredible fear of the water and significant sensory issues, who have found the courage to ultimately 'let go' and swim freely. It brings me joy every time!"
-Nina Sporn
Some of the benefits of swimming:
Self esteem
Safety
Strength
Stamina
Gross motor mastery
Overcome fears
Sensory soothing
Outlet for anxiety
Great exercise
Fun with friends
Contact with other children
Nina sees the opportunities for physical activity for atypical kids as woefully inadequate. "Neurodivergent kids can gain confidence and fitness through sports, and swimming is about the best skill one can have (safety, strength, stamina, contact with other children, and can be an outlet for anxiety). Since Covid, program capacity has dwindled. My mission is to expand access to aquatics for neurodivergent individuals."
Running interference: How to help your kid get to the end zone in their own way, so they feel successful, empowered and accomplished.
5 Water Safety Basics:
Floating
Breath control
Blow bubbles
Get to safety
Push off the bottom
My riptide story: Why we position ourselves near lifeguards.A little fear of the ocean is a good thing. Drowning is a very quiet thing.
We lose skills when we canât practice regularly.
Nothing takes the place of a parentâs attention. No one watches your child like you.
Spend time with your kids in the water. Make it fun.
Belly Button Blowhole BreathingTherapeutic benefits of silliness, especially after a micro trauma.
Nina's last word: "Have fun and wear sunscreen!"
Connect with Nina: [email protected]
Your comments, ratings and reviews mean a lot to me, and help other parents find our community.
Connect with Kate Lynch:
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Website: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4pioYjeRIsY_7Gs8ZXKGg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
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Parents, do you really need another condescending person telling you that you should be practicing self-care?
I mean, itâs just another thing on the list when weâre already so tired and stressed and frustrated. Right?
Thatâs why I prefer the term self-respect, or self-honoring. Those donât take extra time or require us to do anything at all. Itâs a mindset. A mindset we can model for our kids.
Letâs dispel a few myths:
1. Self-care is self-improvement. Self-care doesnât need to be earned, and it isnât about changing you. Authentic self-care supports your inherent goodness.
2. Self-care is self-indulgence. Thereâs nothing wrong with numbing out, but if you feel regretful afterwards, thatâs not self-care. When we avoid our stress, it will still be there to deal with later.
3. Self-care is specific things on a list written by someone other than you. You get to define what self care is for you.
Authentic self-care nourishes, energizes and grounds you by working on the root issue: the unnecessary backlog of tension in your body.
I donât want to go around holding on to all of the stress that has built up over the years of advocating for my neurodivergent kid, navigating a world that dehumanizes them, and being expected to figure it out on my own as an unpaid second or third job.
Of COURSE we donât have time for spa days!
The thing is, our kids are learning emotional regulation by watching us. Self-regulation canât be taught, it has to be modeled.
Authentic self-care doesnât use up your time or energy, it frees up your energy by giving you more awareness of what is and isnât serving you. If a self regulation practice isnât useful in 30 seconds, stop doing it. Try something else.
When we are more regulated, we will not only be there for our kids, we will be present for ourselves.
Weâre breaking cycles to co-create a more inclusive future. Thank you for going on this journey with me.
Your comments, ratings and reviews mean a lot to me, and help other parents find our community.
Connect with Kate Lynch:
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Website: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4pioYjeRIsY_7Gs8ZXKGg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
In which Ocean makes a surprise appearance to eat chips and talk about his expectations for summer.
In which I recap and reinforce the tips and practices we've covered to help you sail through summer with your neurodiverse family.
In which I throw a curveball, by telling a story about plans gone awry.
How My Family Is Prepping for a Summer Filled With Fun and Relaxation:
Call a casual family meeting. Grab some paper. Get curious.
1. Ask everyone, "â How do we want to FEEL this summer?â â " Write everything down.
2. Ask everyone, "How are we going to make these feelings happen?" Write everything down.
3. Make everyone's dreams come true. There are creative ways to do this!
4. Make it visible by posting a summer calendar.
Here's the blog post which goes into more detail:
https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/blog/plan-your-familys-summer-for-maximum-cooperation-fun
This helps us relax during summer, because we have more clarity on what we can expect.
There are times those plans will have to change, but preparation actually helps us ride those unexpected waves too.
BrenĂŠ Brown's new book Atlas of the Heart mentions "stealth expectations" which is when you have wants and needs but you don't communicate them with anyone. That's what we want to avoid with this process.
Although Ocean was clear that he doesn't want sponsorship from A Walk On Water, I like to share our favorite resources for families of disabled kids. Here's their website: https://awalkonwater.org/
Connect with Kate Lynch:
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Website: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4pioYjeRIsY_7Gs8ZXKGg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
Summer Prep For Maximum Chill!
A workshop for parents of intense atypical kids who are ready to learn how to guide their family towards a fun and relaxing summer plan. Rescheduled: With Kate Lynch, June 15.
Sign up now: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/summer
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
Some Kids Come With Operating Instructions
Michelle Neuringer, a fellow parent, wrote to me recently:
"Iâd like to get your thoughts on some struggles Iâm having finding inclusive enrichment programs for my daughter (eg afterschool, camp). I think thereâs a big opportunity to educate these enrichment providers on how to work with neurodivergent kiddos."
Michelle wants to introduce her autistic 7 year old to a range of experiences aligned with her special interests. Here in NYC, there's so much available, but in her experience the providers don't know how to work with our kids. Why do they freak out when we mention a diagnosis? How can we help them be more inclusive? What can we do as parents to support and educate enrichment providers on our kids?
So, we talked and came up with some ideas as a starting point:
Start with things that light your kid up - their special interests. Communicate with the directors, but also the counselors who will actually be caring for your kid day to day. Share your expertise on your kid, beginning with their strengths and interests. Preview, plan and prime with your child before the program begins.Here are some metrics Michelle envisions enrichment programs being adapted to be more inclusive:
Kind of activity. Size of group. Parent involvement. Space, sensory environment, breaks. Meaningful inclusion: Kids co-create the curriculum, have a voice.Michelle says, "I want listeners to join me in changing the world for our kids, so they can grow up in a world where they can take up space, be themselves and not be beholden to neurotypical goals and milestones."
Michelle Neuringer is mom to two amazing kids that have different ways of being in the world. She has also spent over 20 years designing & building technology products that help small businesses do what they love. She learned early in her career that to craft solutions that work, you must first discover and deeply understand who youâre serving, their needs, aspirations and motivations. Michelle has translated this mindset to her autistic daughterâs educational and therapeutic journey, learning and discovering alongside teachers and therapists.
https://www.michelleneuringer.com/neurodiversity
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleneuringer/
Parent Like You video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVCGvHT46aU
2 sides of the spectrum podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/65LkxLStaU6VHQDH5cg4Z9?si=326a306b57a34c01
Summer Prep For Maximum Chill!
A workshop for parents of intense atypical kids who are ready to learn how to guide their family towards a fun and relaxing summer plan. With Kate Lynch RYT & Amy Weber LCSW, June 1 or 2. Sign up now: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/summer
Connect with Kate Lynch:
https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
Are you feeling overwhelmed, parenting your neurodivergent kids during these stressful times? Yeah, me too. Welcome to Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast! For Season 2, we're talking about Summer Prep For Maximum Chill! Listen (or watch video podcasts) for support and strategies to co-create a fun, relaxed summer with your unique family.
Season 2 Episode 3 of the Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast is all about planning for day camp success with your neurodivergent kid!
I'm joined by Amy Weber, LCSW, to talk about practical steps you can take to sail through summer with less stress. Amy has been running a day camp for intense kids for 9 years through her interdisciplinary pediatric therapy practice in Brooklyn, New York: Speak, Learn, & Play. Amy sees children for individual and group therapy sessions, and helps parents through parent coaching. She is the author of the new book for kids, Gratitude is your Super Power!
Amy runs a camp for neurodivergent children every summer, so she has a unique perspective on the summer challenges of neurodiverse families. Amy also sees children for individual and group therapy sessions, and helps parents through Peaceful Parent Coaching.
https://speaklearnandplay.com/
https://peacefulparentcoaching.com/
Here are a few tips we covered:
1. Know your kid. Do they have trouble with transitions?
2. Talk with camp directors.
3. Create a cheat-sheet on your kid. Share your expertise with counselors. Partial disclosure for advocacy. Here's a video of Dr. Stephen Shore explaining his 3-step process: https://youtu.be/TVSiJtLpMeo?t=327
-Recognize a challenge
-Disclose the specific need
-Ask for an accommodation
Summer Prep For Maximum Chill!
A workshop for parents of intense atypical kids who are ready to
learn how to guide their family towards a fun and relaxing summer plan.
With Kate Lynch RYT & Amy Weber LCSW, June 1 or 2.
Sign up now: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/summer
Connect with Kate Lynch:
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Website: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message -
How Your Neurodivergent Family Can Prep for a Summer Filled With Fun and Relaxation
Episode 2: Summer Prep For Maximum Chill! With Amy Weber, LCSW
Listen (or watch video podcasts) for support and strategies to co-create a fun, relaxed summer with your unique family.
How My Family Is Prepping for a Summer Filled With Fun and Relaxation:
Call a family meeting. Grab some paper. Get curious.
1. Ask everyone, "â How do we want to FEEL this summer?â â " Write everything down.
2. Ask everyone, "How are we going to make these feelings happen?" Write everything down.
3. Make everyone's dreams come true. There are creative ways to do this!
4. Make it visible by posting a summer calendar.
I mentioned the book Burnout: https://www.burnoutbook.net/
Amy Weber is the co-founder of Speak, Learn, & Play, an interdisciplinary pediatric therapy practice in Brooklyn, New York. Sheâs a clinical social worker, specializing in work with children and their families. Amy sees children for individual and group therapy sessions, and helps parents through Peaceful Parent Coaching.
https://speaklearnandplay.com/
https://peacefulparentcoaching.com/
Connect with Kate Lynch:
Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Website: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/mindfully-parenting-atypical-kids
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4pioYjeRIsY_7Gs8ZXKGg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhappyyoga/
Summer Prep For Maximum Chill!
A workshop for parents of intense atypical kids who are ready to
learn how to guide their family towards a fun and relaxing summer plan.
Rescheduled: With Kate Lynch, June 15.Sign up now: https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/summer
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message - Laat meer zien
