Autism and Parenting: 4 Tips for Managing Stress
Parenting a child with autism has its unique challenges, responsibilities, and stressors and no two families’ experiences are the same. As a parent, you want the best for your child and it can be difficult to manage things like stress and anxiety when caring for a child with special needs.
Learning to healthily cope with stress is key to showing up as the best version of yourself for your child. For all the incredible and courageous parents who help their children thrive day in and day out, here are 4 stress-management tips to get you through the tough moments.
Share Your Feelings
Sharing your feelings with another person is a simple way to help the burden of stress feel a bit lighter. Talking about your worries and concerns with someone you trust can help you better identify your emotions and cope with whatever challenges come your way. Sometimes it can be isolating to feel like no one can understand your experience, but building a support system and connecting with other special needs parents and members of your community can have a positive impact when it comes to managing the harder days. There is also no shame in seeking professional support when it comes to being the most rockstar parent you can be for your child. You can also try starting a journaling practice by asking yourself things like:
Where can I find small moments throughout the day to slow down and prevent my anxiety or stress from taking over?
How can I find better coping strategies for managing the emotions I’m experiencing?
Are there any tasks or routines I can pass off to other family members to lower my overall stress?
Stay Focused on the Present
Every parent worries about their child’s future, but when your child has autism, it can be especially difficult to stay focused on the present moment. Worry after worry about the “what-ifs” can overwhelm your mind. Be gentle with yourself–there is only so much you can control about the future. Stay focused on showing up authentically and compassionately in the present moment and trusting that whatever challenges you face, you will make the right decisions for your little one. You got this!
Make Time for Yourself
One of the hard truths of parenting a child with special needs is how challenging it can be to find time for yourself. It’s important to remember that finding relaxation and enjoyment in life is not off-limits to you because of your child’s autism. Focus on small ways you can carve out space for yourself that feel restful and restorative. Maybe that’s a journaling practice, an early morning walk, or watching a favorite movie before bed. Making time for yourself to seek out joy can not only help you, but it can also help your child learn the importance of seeking out joy for themselves.
Spend Quality Time With Your Family
Juggling the family schedule can be a stressful part of parenting a child with autism. There are appointments to make and get to, errands to run, and routines to manage. In the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of seeing your family, but not enjoying as much quality time with one another as you would like. While maintaining routines is especially important for parents of kids on the spectrum, that doesn’t mean you can’t add quality time to the schedule. Set aside time for activities that can be worked into your existing routine, like a weekly movie night or playing games in the backyard.
Remember, when it comes to managing your stress and mental health, self-care isn’t selfish. Managing your stress will help you be a better advocate and will strengthen your relationship with your child, but it will also help you show your child what is possible when you focus on human potential.
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