Season 1 Spotlight Tips for Moms of Autistics to Move from Surviving to Thriving

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hey, it’s Christina! Now that we started the second year of Thriving Moms of Autistics, I wanted to offer one more popular Power Up Episode from early on in Season 1. It was a popular episode that listeners connected with that really set a foundation for supporting moms. Thank you for allowing me on your journey. Enjoy this Power Up Episode and get ready for a new episode next week!

In this episode, I’ll give you tips to move from merely surviving to fully thriving. We all have the potential to thrive. Thriving doesn’t have to just be a dream. Thriving can be your reality.

Find the full transcript at https://thrivingmomsofautistics.com/54

Be sure to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. I appreciate your input and support.

What brings joy to moms of autistics?

We’re all such different creatures. That’s what makes us so interesting. Some people like to shop. Others like to visit with friends over coffee. I don’t like shopping. And I don’t like coffee. I know!

Instead, I like to be productive. No kidding. Productivity makes me happy. I like checking things off my list of things to do and get creative. This can get me into trouble quickly, especially when raising an autistic.

Moms of autistics tend to carry a lot of stress

As moms of autistics, we have a lot on our plate. We stress about taking our child out in public, unexpected behaviors or transitions, loud noises, someone coming to the front door, last minute changes, IEP meetings, and the list goes on.

So how do you know when it’s time to slow down? Can you realistically slow down? We all have stopping points, even when there is too much going on to stop.

And if we don’t stop, our body will for us. Let me repeat that. If we don’t stop, our body will for us.

There are often signs along the way that we need to slow down. We just miss them because we are busy in the midst of chaos in our lives.

In episode 6, I explored mom hacks for moments of chaos. One way to do this is to uncover your personal strengths as tools to counter challenging times. Now let’s dive deeper into understanding how to individually alleviate stress so it doesn’t continue to build and weigh us down.

Questions that guide self-care in moms of autistics

• We tend to get stuck in worry in how to handle situations. What are some ways you can exercise your mind to shift your thoughts?
• We often spend our time doing for others and neglect what is important to us. What hobbies would you like to engage in?
• We neglect our physical health and focus on solely on our child. What ways are you able to get moving?
• How can you say yes when others offer support?
• Sometimes we isolate because people do not understand autism, and we are left to do everything on our own. What areas do you need to set boundaries the most?

Spend some time this week thinking about your answers to these questions and evaluate where changes need to be made. Perhaps you already do well in some areas. Or maybe you are struggling across the board.

The word Thrive means to be successful, to grow, or to flourish. I have shared that my husband and I woke up one day and realized we were just surviving, which is pretty common in autism families. We transitioned from surviving to thriving and you can do. It is not impossible. I want that for you. So let’s thrive together!