The Super Parent Myth: How to Not Lose It When Your Child is Losing It
The Moment the Mask Cracks The super parent myth tells us that strong parents never break, never raise their voice, and never feel overwhelmed. But real life looks very different. Even the most dedicated parent can feel shaken when a calm morning suddenly turns into chaos. A meltdown in public, resistance over something small, or […]
The Myth of the “Set It and Forget It” Plan
As parents of outliers, we spend months fighting for the right support, whether it is an IEP, a 504 plan, or private therapy. When the paperwork is finally signed, there is a deep sense of relief. We want to believe the hardest part is behind us. But real success does not live inside the document. […]
Why Your Outlier’s Support Plan is a Living Document
You have already done so much to build an outlier child support plan that helps your child succeed at school and at home. You sat through meetings, spoke with specialists, and pushed for the support your child needs. After months of effort, things finally start to feel calmer. Mornings become easier. School feels more manageable. […]
A Parent’s Guide to Setting Goals While Caring for an Outlier Child
If you are parenting a remarkable, complex, and often demanding outlier child, you likely know what it feels like to quietly place your own life on pause. Many parents set aside their personal dreams, whether that is a career shift, returning to school, creating something meaningful, or simply exploring the world, while telling themselves, “I […]
Yes, This Is Hard, and You Are Strong: Courage, Creativity, and Love on the Outlier Journey
Parenting a neurodivergent child, which we lovingly call an outlier, is a journey unlike any other. It does not follow a clear map and often feels like uncharted territory. In these moments, it is vital to acknowledge a simple truth. This journey is hard. Admitting that is not weakness. It is self-compassion. Naming the hard […]
Two Steps Back, One Step Forward: The Reality of Progress on the Outlier Journey
You likely started this parenting journey with hopes and dreams, picturing a clear, straight path to your child’s success. However, when you are parenting a neurodivergent child, which we lovingly call an outlier, you quickly learn that the map you were given does not apply. The path to progress is not a straight line. It […]
Don’t Overthink It, The Courage to Act for Your Outlier
Making decisions for my Outlier is one of the most significant responsibilities in my life. Whether it’s choosing doctors, schools, or making medical decisions, all of them used to scare me. They still do. Changing medication, therapists, or doctors, or even adjusting a dosage, everything scares me. Parenting with Courage: Acting Despite the Fear […]
Believing in Your Outlier, Even When It’s Hard
My own recent struggles with my Outlier were tough. Extremely tough. There were moments when it felt impossibly difficult to believe in him, or even in his future. I was caught in the darkness, unable to see past the present challenges. It was a brutal reminder that even as an old hand at this parenting […]
Setup, Not Setback, Parenting Lessons from an Outlier
As a seasoned parent of an Outlier – a child navigating disabilities, delayed growth, or other unique challenges – I’ve accumulated a wealth of experience, navigated countless hurdles, and witnessed incredible outcomes. My own Outlier is now a working adult, and I even chronicled our journey and lessons learned in my book, My Little Outlier. […]
Guide Older Outliers with Visual Aids & Intentional Support
Recently, over breakfast with a good friend and fellow parent of an Outlier, a familiar struggle emerged. Her high school senior, on the cusp of graduation, was falling behind on requirements. My friend felt the pull between stepping in and letting her child navigate it independently, especially given her Outlier’s resistance to “interference.” This conversation […]
