Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Kate Lynch

How to find strength and acceptance in inclusive parenting with Sonali Vongchusiri.

A mindful exploration of belonging versus fitting in, and combating internalized ableism.

Sonali is a highly-sensitive mom with three deeply-feeling and strong-willed kids. She also happens to be legally blind and have albinism. With her heartwarming stories and profound revelations, Sonali teaches us that you don't have to fit in to truly belong. 

In this episode, we'll discuss the beauty of embracing one's true self, and the power of labels in accessing support and understanding. Sonali shares her journey of accepting her visual impairment, and transforming her internal struggle with albinism into strength. 

The compassionate way she and her children embrace their differences fosters a family dynamic rich in confidence, humor, and sensitivity to individual needs. 

By the end of the episode, you'll be able to answer these 3 questions:

1. How has Sonali's journey of embracing her albinism and visual impairment influenced the way she parents and advocates for her neurodivergent children? 

2. How can parents balance the need to tell their children about their disability without inducing feelings of being an outsider or internalized ableism? 

3. What are some strategies to create an environment of belonging for atypical kids, both within the family and in wider social settings? 

With her heartwarming stories and profound revelations, Sonali teaches us that you don't have to fit in to truly belong.

Read the full transcript, listen to the podcast, watch the video, and subscribe to the blog for more connection and support at ⁠Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog⁠: ⁠https://katelynch.substack.com/⁠

⁠⁠⁠Connect with Sonali and Forward Together Parenting:

⁠Forward Together Parenting⁠

⁠Raising Your Strong Willed Child Facebook Group⁠ 

Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone. Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future. 

Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow! If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. 


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Happy Autism Awareness-Acceptance-Appreciation Month!

This popular episode from the archives of 2020 is worth a listen for the honest perspective of an autistic kid who can and does advocate for himself. Hearing that little high voice compared to the deep one he has now, I'm almost nostalgic...

...but not really!

_______

Advice for parents of atypical kids, from Ocean as he begins his 5th grade year, amid pandemic confusion.

He offers simple, logical suggestions about parenting anyone, really, in a mindful, observant and collaborative way. 

Ocean has some thoughts about when parents should tell their kid about their diagnosis. 

He has strong feelings about the way his ABA Pre-K tried to deal with his aversion to snaps and buttons. He did look adorable at his Aunt's wedding, but he definitely was NOT wearing a tie.

Then I share a mindfulness practice to help you appreciate the present moment, just in case you're like me and the millions of other parents who feel guilty from time to time. You are not alone. Ruminating about the past or expecting ourselves to be perfect parents isn't helpful. Befriend the feelings, learn the lessons, let it go.

Grab your Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet here:

https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown


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Why Curiosity Helps You SHINE as a Parent of Neurodiverse Kids

I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Arbeau, an inspiring life and health coach, and a resilient mom navigating the challenging yet rewarding journey of raising neurodiverse children. The result is a  moving podcast episode full of twists and turns, as we follow her 21-year parenting story. 

Valerie introduces us to the "SHINE Principle" that has guided her through the tumultuous parenting of her two neurodiverse children with grace and strength. From navigating her child's non-binary identity to pioneering ways for her non-verbal daughter to communicate, Valerie's story is a testament to the power of acceptance, support, and unwavering love. Valerie advocates for attentive parenting, learning to tune in to the diverse ways her children convey their needs, a skill she humbly admits wasn't always second nature.

We discuss how to overcome parental burnout. I asked Valerie about communication devices, low demand parenting, pathological demand avoidance, autism, adhd, cerebral palsy, and more.

The practical suggestions in her book, “The SHINE Principle," along with the relatable stories, will motivate you to care for yourself, which will positively impact your whole neurodiverse family.

https://amzn.to/3VeMWKj

As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Join us as we embrace the curiosity, compassion, and understanding that helps us SHINE as parents of neurodiverse kids. 

Coaching With Valerie Anne

https://bit.ly/3RL0da2

Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:

Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: ⁠⁠https://katelynch.substack.com/⁠



Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone. Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.

Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!

If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. 


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message

Ocean and I were swapping YouTube videos about bullying, and we decided to record a conversation. I'm a bit anxious about Ocean starting middle school next year. 'Bullies' are everywhere throughout life, so it is important to me that we keep an open dialogue. 

Please note that we are NOT talking about any sort of physical abuse. 

Brooks Gibbs has been on my radar for a while. In general his approach makes a lot of sense to me; way more sense than some of the traditional vilifying/shaming/victimizing strategies imposed top-down by school systems. Gibbs categorizes bullies as someone who either feels that they have been wronged, are power hungry, or they actually think they are being funny. He shares ways to defuse all three.

I agree with Gibbs about not reacting to the mean words, or being extra kind. However, I don't agree with "Don't get upset." 

Be aware of who it is safe to SHOW you're upset with. 

Mindfulness can help us defer our reactions. We can postpone them, but eventually our feelings need somewhere to go.  I hope everyone, child and adult, has someone safe to talk with about any challenging feelings. Being tough isn't the special sauce here, it is staying calm even though you feel hurt. When you know who is safe to share your feelings with, it is easier to not react to teasing in the moment. 

You can proactively role play with your kid, like we did. Then, you can remind your child that we all have hurt feelings. You can model naming your own hurt feelings, and describe how they feel in your body. 

Your child can ask themselves, “What is happening now?” They might actually pause to notice what’s happening in their environment. Then, “Can I be with it, or is it too much?” If staying and talking to the bullying kid feels too painful, they need to be empowered to walk away.

These are complex skills for anyone. I was nudging Ocean towards his own conclusions. 

Ocean and I laugh a lot in this podcast, but bullying is no laughing matter. Laughter is a coping mechanism, and humor has always been one of his superpowers. I was intentionally being silly about it, not to belittle the topic, but to discharge any residual stress from suppressed memories. 

After the chat with Ocean, I share some simple mindfulness tips and scripts, and my guiding light: the serenity prayer. 

Brooks Gibbs video: https://youtu.be/7oKjW1OIjuw

At the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity, Atypical Kids Mindful Parents Blog is for parents of neurodivergent kids who want to feel more connected, calm and present. With community and support, we will feel less isolated and more empowered to positively impact our neurodiverse families.

Through self-compassion and mindfulness, we can transform our relationships, and co-create a more inclusive world!

Kate Lynch, a highly sensitive parent of an amazing kid with autism and ADHD, supports parents at the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity with calming, grounding practices and relatable parenting stories.

Grab your ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet⁠⁠⁠ here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown⁠

Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:

Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: ⁠https://katelynch.substack.com/

Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone.

Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.

Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!

If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review.


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Rebekah Lara has 3 daughters with multiple health challenges. Her story of resilience shows how pursuing our own interests can liberate our whole family.

Rebekah joined me to talk about time freedom and the importance of pursuing our own interests as parents. Her story is one of resilience, wisdom, and hope that's going to resonate with so many of you. We discuss the transformative power of setting boundaries, the grace found in accepting help, and the unequivocal importance of self-care.

With 3 neurodivergent daughters, her life changed course when faced with the significant health challenges of her eldest daughter, a survivor of acute liver failure and subsequent multiple organ failure. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Rebekah navigated this complex journey with calm determination. As she marks the sixth year since her life took this unexpected turn, her personal struggle turned into her mission—aiming to support other parents navigating similar paths.

Rebekah's experience is not just a tale of survival but a testament to her dedication to bring understanding, freedom, and hope to families like hers.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/simplebusinesssystems

https://www.instagram.com/the.rebekah.lara/


At the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity, Atypical Kids Mindful Parents Blog is for parents of neurodivergent kids who want to feel more connected, calm and present. With community and support, we will feel less isolated and more empowered to positively impact our neurodiverse families.

Through self-compassion and mindfulness, we can transform our relationships, and co-create a more inclusive world!

Kate Lynch, a highly sensitive parent of an amazing kid with autism and ADHD, supports parents at the intersection of mindful parenting and neurodiversity with calming, grounding practices and relatable parenting stories.

Grab your ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet⁠⁠⁠ here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown⁠

Read the transcript, watch the full youtube video, and subscribe for more connection and support:

Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Blog: ⁠https://katelynch.substack.com/

Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids podcast helps parents feel less alone.
Kate interviews parents and experts who share her mission to co-create a more inclusive future.

Our podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!

If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review.




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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message

As parents of neurodivergent kids, we know, when it RAINS, it pours. 

I'm re-releasing this popular episode now because times are hard!

In the process of living a life of meaning, my vulnerability arises.

Emotionally raw places become exposed, and my precarious serenity is challenged not only by my relationship with my son, but by life in general. 

Join me in a self-compassion process which has helped me heal my underlying emotional wounds. Recognize, allow, investigate and nurture your uncomfortable feelings, and then saturate your nervous system with compassion.

I first learned RAIN from meditation teacher Tara Brach.



Grab your ⁠Mindful Meltdown Cheatsheet⁠ here: 

⁠https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown



Mindfully Parenting Atypical Kids Podcast is a baby, and it needs your love to grow!

If you appreciate the strategies, connection, and support here, help it reach other parents! Please go to Apple Podcasts and give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. 


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/oceansmama/message