Summer is here…beach days, family vacays, and if you’re the parent, probably some very long, long days. Parents whose children have ASD experience stress and burn-out at a much higher rate than other parents. Burn-out is real, but you can take some small steps to decrease burn-out or to hopefully keep it from happening in the first place. This summer make yourself a priority and give yourself at least a few minutes each day for self-care.
# 1 You can’t pour from an empty cup….fill your cup…coffee, wine or summer sweet tea.
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#2 Put your own oxygen mask on first…then you can breathe…and help everyone else.
#3 Self-care is not selfish ... it is imperative for you take the time to take care of yourself first! Put yourself on the top of your to-do list each day.
#4 Unplug … take a walk..read a book … wake up 15 minutes early and sit in the quiet. Remember if you unplug anything it will work again when you plug it back in.
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#5 Let others help you. Hire a neighborhood kid to cut your grass..hire a local high school student to be a mothers helper and let her fold the clothes.
#6 Manage your stress, mental health is as important if not more important than physical health.
#7 Write in a Journal.
#8 Write an appointment with yourself on the calendar. Take time to make your soul happy.
#9 Join a support group..Moms groups, parents groups, book clubs, all can provide you support and a sense of belonging to a non-stressful group.
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#10 Do what you love - cook, read, learn something new, gather friends, gardening, shell collecting, you name it…if you love it will bring you joy and then you can share that joy.
You’ve got this..make this the summer of you ... or at least the fifteen minutes a day of you!
| BrainBuilders is a Therapeutic Intervention Agency providing services to children with autism spectrum related disorders. Founded jointly by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder, BrainBuilders has the unique advantage of seeing every situation from the professional’s view, as well as from the perspective of a family dealing with a child in need. BrainBuilders aims to create a place parents can turn to every step of the way as they try to get the best services for their child. We work to put together a solid therapy program, individualized for each client, addressing many areas of need. Our Therapists provide direct 1:1 ABA therapy in the home, educational facility, or place of choice. |  |
