Life has been a lot lately. Between closing Neon Bloom, parenting a high-needs kid, managing my health, going to court and just trying to keep it together — my mental health has taken some hits. So with the help of ChatGPT I created a simple “mental health reset” journal worksheet that I want to shareContinueContinue reading “Mental Health Reset: Journal Sheet & Mid-Year Check-In”
Category Archives: Family
This Mother’s Day, Put Yourself First: Realistic Self-Care Tips for Moms
This Mother’s Day, focus on self-care beyond just one day. Embrace small acts like saying no, taking short breaks, connecting with fellow moms, and protecting your mental health. Celebrate yourself in ways that feel right. Remember, you are not just a mom; you deserve attention and care for your whole self.
The Neurodivergent Parent’s Resource Kit: Books, Tools & Communities
Realizing I’m likely autistic and possibly ADHD came with both relief and overwhelm. Suddenly I had a name for the struggles—but no roadmap. These are the tools, books, apps, and communities that helped me start to feel more seen, more capable, and way less alone. 📚 Books That Are Eye Opening Divergent Mind by JenaraContinueContinue reading “The Neurodivergent Parent’s Resource Kit: Books, Tools & Communities”
Part 5: How to Advocate for Yourself (When You’re Better at Advocating for Everyone Else)
If you’re a parent—especially one with neurodivergent kids—you probably know how to advocate like a pro.You speak up at IEP meetings.You research therapies.You email the school when something doesn’t feel right.You show up and fight, even when you’re exhausted. But advocating for yourself?That’s the part we’re never taught.And honestly—it can feel so much harder. 🧍♀️ContinueContinue reading “Part 5: How to Advocate for Yourself (When You’re Better at Advocating for Everyone Else)”
Part 4: Shifting My Parenting After Realizing I’m Neurodivergent Too
The realization of possible autism transformed the author’s parenting approach. By understanding neurodivergence, they embraced their differences, prioritizing connection over neurotypical standards. Accommodating personal needs and letting go of guilt fostered a calmer home. This journey enhanced their advocacy, reflecting that parenting uniquely, rather than perfectly, can be empowering and fulfilling.
The Clutter Spiral: ADHD, Overwhelm, and Why “Just Clean It” Doesn’t Work
I used to think I was just messy. Lazy, even. I’d beat myself up for the piles of laundry, the dishes in the sink, the random half-finished “organizing” projects that somehow made things worse. Now I know better. This isn’t laziness—it’s ADHD. It’s executive dysfunction.It’s being a neurodivergent mom in a world that equates clutterContinueContinue reading “The Clutter Spiral: ADHD, Overwhelm, and Why “Just Clean It” Doesn’t Work”
Part 3: What Masking Looks Like in Moms—And Why It’s Exhausting
The author reflects on discovering their autism and the exhaustion from masking, a common behavior among neurodivergent individuals. Masking involves suppressing natural responses to seem neurotypical and can be especially draining for mothers. The author shares their journey towards unmasking, advocating for authenticity and self-acceptance for themselves and their children.
What I Wish I Knew About Autism—Before I Realized I Had It Too
The author shares their journey of discovering their own neurodiversity after their children were diagnosed with autism. They realize that many behaviors attributed to anxiety or trauma were signs of autism. This understanding reshapes their parenting, fostering compassion and self-acceptance, emphasizing advocacy for both themselves and their children.
Appointments, Apps, and ADHD: Tools I Rely On Daily
If you’re a parent, a caregiver, a business manager, neurodivergent—or in my case, all of the above—you know that staying organized can feel like chasing glitter in a windstorm. I’ve always struggled with focus, memory, and executive functioning. Add in parenting a high-needs child, managing a dispensary, and juggling 4–5 appointments a week, and itContinueContinue reading “Appointments, Apps, and ADHD: Tools I Rely On Daily”
Health for Moms: Advocating for Yourself When No One Else Does
As moms, we’re often the voice for everyone else—our kids, our partners, our families. We advocate for school accommodations, for medical answers, for schedules that make sense and support that never seems to come soon enough. But when it comes to ourselves? That’s where things get complicated. I’ve been on a mental health journey forContinueContinue reading “Health for Moms: Advocating for Yourself When No One Else Does”
juMOMjia 