Anyone with kids, big or small can tell you about the ups and downs of parenthood. It’s truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions, challenges, celebrations, and pure love like no other. Nothing can prepare you for the journey of parenthood. Now let’s say you have multiple children (they’re all different) and one that’s special needs or as its related to this post, neurodivergent with the rest being neurotypical. Welcome to my world!
As most of you know, I have three daughters. Two neurotypical, Alex (11) and Andi (4) and one who is neurodivergent, Addy (8). How do I balance raising three different children? One would argue that you treat them equally, but for those raising neurodivergent children as well as neurotypical, we know that’s almost impossible. Why? Well because due to the way Addy is built, she needs more attention, more patience, more time than the others. I know that sounds horrible, but it’s the truth.
However, the one thing all children need is love and I lead with that. I love them for who they are, their differences, their passions, their way of challenging me and showing me sides of myself that I never imagined (both good and bad). I probably fail more times than I succeed, but I tell myself if I lead with love then I never truly fail.
In true Raising Addy form, here are five mantras I live by as most days are not easy feeling as though I have no idea what I am doing! Please note, some of the mantras I came up with myself while others I learned along the way…
Lead with love as you can forgive yourself when things don’t go as planned
Patience lives in everyone; you just must find yours
Balance is like perfection; it doesn’t exist so focus on the task at hand
One bad decision doesn’t blow the situation, so keep moving forward
Forward is a pace no matter how big or small the steps are
We love hearing from our followers. So, what are your mantras in raising both neurodivergent and neurotypical children? How do you manage? I think this an important topic to discuss so none one feels alone (both child and parent).
Much love,
Raising Addy
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