You are much stronger than you think you are.
There is no doubt that being a parent of a child with autism can be difficult. You have to endure the stress of finding out your child has autism, and you have to find ways to deal with it. You also may need to spend extra time taking care of your child because he or she might not do their homework as well as their classmates or might need extra help in other areas of life.
However, these challenges are nothing compared to what mothers endure all over the world every day (and at this point in history). We cannot compare raising an autistic child to those parents raising a non-autistic one! As part of our Mother’s Day series for Autism Spectrum Moms (ASM), we want to remind you how strong you really are! Here are some quotes from famous women who were mothers:
Jane Austen said: “I have long ceased worrying about my appearance; I am like one of those old dandelions which make up their minds firmly never to blow away, but always stay where they belong; whatever happens they stick there – just so will I.”
Hannah More wrote: “If you keep your health when other people lose theirs; if all others let you down and yet they cannot let you down; if everyone around becomes discouraged while yet no discouragement affects your spirits; if everyone else gives up but still all efforts are yours—then indeed there may be something great in store for such an one as this.”
Every day brings new challenges.
No two families are the same.
Autism moms face the same challenges as other moms, but with a special twist.
It’s possible to turn these struggles into triumphs!
Every day brings triumphs and joys. It’s important to look for the triumphs, because they are there—they may be subtle but they are there. We have to be able to savor those small triumphs, because there can be so many days when we don’t feel like we have any at all.
Every day is a gift for me as well as for my son, who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When my boys were diagnosed with ASD at age 2 years old, it felt like I had lost my sons, even though he was still the same boy I had known before his diagnosis. After years of struggling with his behaviors and seeing what other people thought of him—what they did not see—I realized that living with autism taught me how much more love and patience I needed in my life than what I had been giving up until then; how much more understanding I needed about myself and others; how much more courage it took every single day just to get through another day without wanting to hide under a rock somewhere far away from everyone else!
You have so many supporters in your life… maybe more than you realize!
Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for autism moms. It’s a day where you may feel like you’re alone, and the world is celebrating mothers in general, but not moms of children with autism specifically. You have so many supporters in your life that it can be easy to forget about them or take them for granted.
But remember: You have family and friends who love you and support you; your community who respects what an amazing mom you are; teachers who appreciate how hard it has been to get your child into school; therapists who care deeply about helping your child learn new skills; doctors who know exactly what they’re doing when they prescribe medicines or procedures; anyone else going through this experience with another mother—for these people especially, Mother’s Day should be an extra special reminder of how much they care about your family!
Being a mom is the most important thing in the world to you.
You know that being a mom is the most important thing in the world to you. You’re willing to do anything for your child, even if it means sacrificing your own needs. You are kind and patient, but also firm when needed. Your child knows they can always count on you for love and support.
Your autism child may be difficult to understand at times, but they see the world differently than you do—and they have an amazing ability to sense emotions and empathize with others’ feelings! They have taught you patience, understanding and compassion for others who may not seem connected on first glance (and sometimes second).
Your child has taught you things about yourself that no one else could.
You’ve learned that motherhood can be a humbling experience. You’ve had to take off your pride and put on your patience, because it’s so easy to get frustrated when your child doesn’t understand you or follow through with things they say they will do. You also have learned to slow down, as compared to before you had children—you don’t sweat the small stuff anymore! Your child has taught you not just patience but also how much more important it is for us all to cherish simple moments together: laughing over silly faces, reading books together at night before bedtime, or sharing breakfast in their room before school starts for the day.
You’re not alone, even when it feels like it. That’s a promise!
If you’re a mom of a child with autism, you may feel like it’s impossible to take a break. Or that no one understands what you’re going through.
The truth is, though, that your life as an autism mom is not unique. There are millions of people in the world just like you trying to get through their day and provide for their children—which means there are also millions of people who understand exactly what it’s like for an autism mom!
You don’t have to go it alone. Try reaching out online or joining an autism group in your community (you can find support groups in most major cities). Knowing that other parents are going through the same thing can be incredibly comforting—and they may even have some great tips on how to make life easier!
Motherhood is different for every mom, but we still have so much in common!
Being a mother is a unique experience. Motherhood comes with its own challenges and rewards, but no matter what your situation is, you are not alone. So many mothers face the same difficulties that you do every day!
As a parent of an autistic child, you must be strong in order to provide your child with the support they need. You can be sure that your love for them will never fade — even when things get tough (and they will). You may feel like there’s no way out at times or that life isn’t fair; however, remember: this too shall pass. Your little one needs you now more than ever—so don’t give up on yourself or them just yet!
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