Creating a Village for Families with Neurodivergent Children
Find out how to make connections here with Tips from Our Neurodiversity Affirming Therapists
How often do you evaluate your support system? When was the last time you added someone to your circle? Are you missing certain types of support?
If you have a neurodivergent child, we welcome you to consider a Neurodivergent Affirming Therapist from Better Together Family Therapy to help you feel more supported. Even if your child is not neurodivergent, support is beneficial to all caregivers facing the daily challenges of parenting. Our Family Therapists are here to help.
Benefits of Having a Support System while Parenting a Neurodivergent Child
As summer rolls around and children leave the structured schedule of school, many will face challenges adjusting to their new routines. This is especially true for neurodivergent children, who often benefit from routines and structure.
The responsibility for this transition from the classroom to the living room often weighs most heavily on the parents.
Maintaining your emotional health is critical to ensuring you have the mental and physical capacity to support your child. Parents and caregivers need support just like their children. It is important to have a safe circle of individuals where you are comfortable expressing your feelings, fears, and experiences.
Our Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapists Can Support You
Sharing experiences with others who can understand and offer emotional support can remove feelings of isolation. It's important for every child (and their parents) to feel validated and understood.
Through our Neurodivergent Therapists, we support parents in understanding how their child sees the world. Obtaining knowledge and insights, as well as equipping parents with parenting tools and resources, is an important part of this journey.
Finding people who share similar experiences can also be helpful. Sharing your journey with others can spark ideas such as new ways to navigate special education services, therapy options, and/or medical interventions.
Importance of Relationships on Overall Mental Health
Have you ever considered how our mental health impacts your parenting? One way to support your mental health is through relationships. The strength and number of these bonds can impact your mental health and can make you happier and more content.
Here are 5 important ways strong relationships support your mental health
1) Reduce Stress
Humans are social creatures. Maintaining meaningful relationships can fulfill our need for social interaction and belonging. Engaging in positive social interactions can boost your mood and reduce stress. Relationships provide emotional and social support, which can buffer against stressful situations.
2) Belonging
Strong relationships foster a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is essential for our mental well-being. Feeling connected to others and being part of a supportive community can also benefit our self-worth.
3) Coping Skills
Supportive relationships provide opportunities to develop and practice healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and challenges. This might be seen through advice, encouragement, or being present with loved ones. Our therapists are here for you to help teach you important skills through parenting support.
4) Different Perspectives
Trusted family members and friends can offer valuable perspectives and feedback on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can provide insights, challenge thinking patterns, and offer constructive criticism, promoting personal growth and self-awareness.
5) Happiness
Spending time with loved ones and engaging in enjoyable activities can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Laughter, shared experiences, and physical affection can release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, contributing to happiness and well-being.
Here are some tips on strengthening your relationships. We recognize how much time goes into parenting a neurodivergent child. However, taking the time to nurture your relationships benefits everyone.
Prioritize reaching out to family and friends
Reach out with a quick call, email, or message to strengthen our bonds with our loved ones. Spending quality time with family and friends uplifts our spirits and enhances our overall well-being.
Go on a date with your partner or a friend
This could be as simple as cozying up with your partner to watch a show once the kids are tucked in for the night. Sharing these intimate moments strengthens our connections and creates cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Try creating new relationships
Meet people who share a similar lifestyle. Engaging with those who share a similar lifestyle expands our social circle and helps our experiences with new perspectives and shared passions.
Be honest about how you are feeling
If you are feeling too tired to talk with the people who are important to you, tell them. Explain how you feel. It can help both people feel better.