Week One Reflection

All right, y’all!

Let’s take a pause today to reflect on our very first week together!

Because starting something new, especially something THIS vulnerable, is a big deal.

Like, “emotionally rearranging your furniture” big.

Not only for me, but probably for you too.

Because growth is a group project, whether you like it or not!

Over the past week, we’ve talked about:

Showing up imperfectly as an ally.

Putting safety before fear.

Learning to listen to our kids’ communication.

Acknowledging when we mess up, because we do (and will continue to!).

Supporting neurodivergent nervous systems.

Holding faith and love at the same time.

And learning how to advocate inside school systems. … Which, when you list it all out, sounds like a LOT for one week.

(Deep breath.)

But we did it!

We got through it!

You did that!!

So if your brain feels a little full … Congratulations, you’re perfectly normal.

Slightly overloaded, but still normal, I promise.

Because what matters isn’t getting all of this right all at once.

That would be unhinged.

What matters is that you showed up.

You listened.

You considered something new.

You stayed curious instead of shutting down.

That counts.

It really does!

Because here, we don’t rush growth.

We’re not speed-running emotional maturity.

We don’t demand perfection.

I am not Vince Lombardi.

(To be honest, I’m more like Beverly Goldberg mixed with Gemma from Sons of Anarchy. I can be nice and kind. Tough when I need to be. And I never, EVER play about my kids LOL.)

Anyway, we don’t demand perfection here.

We practice consistency, compassion, and courage:

One step at a time.

And let me be clear about something:

If no one has told you lately - you’re doing better than you think.

Even on the days when it doesn’t feel like it.

Raising kids - especially queer, neurodivergent, and disabled kids - is not for sissies.

This is advanced-level parenting.

But you’re here.

You’re learning.

And you’re staying.

That’s how safety grows.

Not from getting it perfect, but from staying connected.

Over and over again.

So as we head into next week … Give yourself permission to breathe.

Unclench your jaw.

Drop your shoulders.

Laugh with your kids.

Even when you don’t fully get the joke.

Ask questions without needing all the answers.

And remember:

We are not here to fix the kids.

We’re here to grow parents.

And we’re doing it together, which means a lot more than doing it “right.”

That’s all for now.

And don’t forget to take really good care of yourself today.