𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐬

⚡️It’s the paradox of grieving what you thought motherhood would be, but not for a moment wishing your kid was anything but themselves.

⚡️Both can exist; you’re not any less of a parent for feeling this.

⚡️People see the behavior; they don’t see the hours of hard work and love we’re pouring into our son to create a better path for him.

⚡️They didn’t see the active choice to take him to experience life—field trips, movies, simply going to the park—even though there’s a higher chance of leaving burnt out + (negatively) the center of attention rather than feeling good about the memories created.

⚡️They don’t see the stacks of paperwork from IEPs, speech therapy, ABA therapy, OT, applying for waivers, attending meetings, and ping-ponging to every which location. They can’t understand the level of milestones we’re celebrating.

⚡️They don’t see the fight, finding the willpower to treat each day like it’s brand new, even when my nervous system is shot and my body is still bruised from last week’s meltdowns. It’s anything but easy.

⚡️⚡️I remind myself that people often can’t relate to what they haven’t experienced, and that’s okay. How can we expect them to?

⚡️⚡️⚡️Keep going- understood or not, full of scars and no sleep. No one can do a better job loving, advocating, and fighting for your kid THAN YOU.

📸: can you spot us?
🎧: Hard Times is our go-to regulation jam. “Again Mama?”