15 Days of Self-Care: Happy Memories

Look through old photos & remember happy memories

I love to look through old baby photos and feel that hint of euphoria that comes with seeing my babies’ faces. Such happy memories. These sights make my day and recharge me.

I keep old photos as my screen saver because it’s always reminding me that these “sometimes ultra-long days” are flying by faster than I’d wish. The hard moments will only last for so long, and the same goes for the sweet ones. I’m reminded that each of the hard phases did, in fact, end even when it seemed like it never would.

Remembering the sweet moments of the past is powerful!

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Self-Care as a Special Needs Mom

Everyone needs self-care

Everyone. But even more so, us special mamas need self-care!

Do you laugh at the term self-care? Like, “What special needs mom has time for self-care?! Like, surely, they aren’t dealing with what all I’m dealing with?!”

I used to be in supermom mode. All go, do the stuff, plow through it, git’er done ’cause someone’s got to do it!

Self-care was a luxury that other moms afforded and took for granted in my opinion. It would never be a reality for me.

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The 30,000 foot view for a stay at home mom

The 30,000-foot view for a stay at home mom

Have you ever heard anyone talk about taking the 30,000-foot view on something? This is something important, I believe, for you to do as a stay at home mom. Especially if you struggle to see your value daily.

I had a really unique opportunity to somewhat literally (and figuratively) do that today, about 3,000 feet up (or so I’m told). As soon as I got home and un-matted my hair, I knew I needed to share some thoughts with you ASAP.

Military life has its ups and downs; its peaks and valleys. Today was a highlight day, riding on an HH-60 Pavehawk (basically, think Blackhawk Down). I didn’t expect the thoughts that came rushing to my head after an almost pity party.

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When you’re Homeschooling with Chronic Pain…

Homeschooling with chronic pain gets frustrating

I know it’s enough to make you want to throw in the towel some days. When I have back to back meltdowns added to Fibromyalgia flare-ups, I just want to hide in bed and have a good cry. I’m guessing it’s not just me. Homeschooling with chronic pain is not for the weak!

Living with chronic pain can already be so demoralizing sometimes. Then you add homeschooling, and yikes! You’ve just added a ton of responsibility and pressure and worries about whether you’ll do a “good enough” job. “How do I do a good job while constantly distracted by chronic pain and fatigue?”

There’s good news though…

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How autism affects siblings & 9 ways to offer support

Wondering how autism affects siblings?

You’re not alone. How autism affects siblings and their relationship is a common curiosity. After “K’s” diagnosis, it was one of the things I thought about most often. I can’t tell you how many google searches I poured over. A few years later, I chose to write my sociology research paper on the effect of Autism on Neurotypical Siblings (NTs).

How very few research papers I found on the topic back then shocked and saddened me. Most of what I did find had more to do with the autism siblings’ risk of developing the disorder themselves. Fortunately, there’s suddenly a flourishing body of research, which will hopefully continue to grow. So, if you’re curious about the outcomes of autism sibling relationships and ways to help, I’ve got some information to help you.

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