Welcome to the NeurOrdinary podcast, where we explore practical, actionable self-care and resilience strategies for autism parents.

In today's episode, resilience coach and neurodivergent autism parent Karen Kossow delves into small, effective self-care strategies that can fit into even the busiest of days.

Episode Highlights:

- A quick grounding tool for stressful moments.

- Finding mindfulness in small pockets of your day.

- A fun and energizing way to release stress.

- Shifting your focus to what's going right.

- A simple reset for your mind and body.

Karen shares personal anecdotes and practical tips that will help you integrate these self-care practices into your daily routine, ensuring that you can continue to show up for your family while also taking care of yourself.

You’ll walk away from this episode with a handy toolkit of strategies that require just a few minutes but can make a significant impact on your well-being.

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New episodes of the No Ordinary podcast drop every Thursday. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with other autism parents who might benefit from these insights.

Don't forget to keep it spicy!

On this week's episode of NeurOrdinary, we're diving into how you can navigate the holiday season as an autism parent, with less stress and more self-care. We all know this time of year brings unique challenges, and we're here to explore some strategies to not just survive, but thrive during the hectic holiday season.

We start by tackling one of the most significant stressors for us, autism parents – our own expectations. You'll discover how to ground yourself in realistic expectations as you prioritize your child's well-being while preserving your own mental and emotional balance.

Then, we explore practical strategies to nurture your emotional well-being, such as creating moments of solitude, connecting with support systems, and practicing mindful breathing exercises.

Of course, we can't forget about self-care! 

Next, I share actionable strategies like prioritizing sleep, scheduling nature walks, and practicing mindful eating…all designed to ensure you prioritize these essential moments that rejuvenate you.

Finally, we’ll delve into the idea of flexibility. I’ll reveal how embracing the unexpected can contribute to a more fulfilling holiday season for everyone, and why building supportive traditions tailored to your family's unique needs is crucial for managing holiday stress.

If you're an autism parent looking to make this holiday season a little more joyous and a lot less stressful, you won't want to miss this episode! 

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another winter holiday, let's make this season a little brighter together. Tune in today and let's make this holiday season a stress-less one for you and your family.

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

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Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Welcome to this special episode of NeurOrdinary, where I'm excited to share my favorite tips and tricks on how you can craft autism-friendly holiday traditions. As a mom to two wonderful neurospicy autistic kiddos, I understand the mix of excitement and stress that the holidays can bring, especially for families like ours.

In today's episode, I'll share practical tips for making holiday traditions sensory-friendly. From sensory-friendly ornament-making sessions to themed sensory bins and cozy storytelling, I've got innovative ideas to add joy and autism-friendly connection into the season. 

Throughout this episode, I stress the importance of self-care for us parents, and I reveal how meeting our kids' needs allows us more time to care for ourselves, reducing overall parenting stress.

I'll also share advice on adapting existing traditions to better suit the needs of our autistic children, including embracing cozy movie nights and virtual hangouts for maintaining connection (without the sensory overload). Plus, I'll highlight the significance of fostering family inclusivity and effective communication to create supportive holiday environments for everyone.

Join me as we explore the world of inclusive, joy-filled, and sensory-friendly holiday traditions for families with neurospicy kiddos. 

My hope is that, with this heartfelt guidance, you'll feel inspired to celebrate the holidays in a way that nurtures joy, understanding, and love for your entire family. Don't miss out on this insightful episode – and get ready to create meaningful holiday memories with your neurospicy kiddos!

✨ Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. ✨

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Resources Mentioned In This Episode...

Hey there, lovely listeners! In this episode of NeuroOrdinary, we delve into the sometimes overlooked topic of cultivating emotional resilience in autism parenting. 

As a parent to two amazingly autistic kiddos, I understand the unique challenges we face and the importance of building our own resilience toolkit. Join me as we explore the significance of emotional resilience and how it serves as our superpower as we face the sometimes (always?!) unpredictable journey of autism parenting.

We'll discuss practical strategies for cultivating resilience, such as the power of pause, mindfulness, and gratitude journaling. I'll guide you through simple and impactful self-care exercises, like the "me time challenge," mindful walking, and creating a gratitude jar. These exercises are tailored specifically to provide the extra boost we need when things get tough.

Together, we'll explore why resilience is not just a luxury, but a necessity for autism parents like us. Fostering resilience isn't about avoiding stress or struggles, but rather facing them head-on and emerging stronger on the other side, just like the sturdy bamboo that bends in the wind but doesn't break.

So grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and join me in this empowering discussion on how to cultivate emotional resilience as autism parents. 

Remember, you're doing an extraordinary job, and you're not alone on this journey. 

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode...

Hey there! Welcome to the NeurOrdinary podcast. I'm your host, Karen, a mom to two amazingly autistic kiddos. In this episode, we're diving deep into the theme of gratitude and celebrating the small wins. 

As autism parents, we know that our journey can be challenging and overwhelming at times. That's why it's so important we appreciate the little victories along the way. These small wins may seem insignificant to others, but for us, they hold immense value.

We'll discuss how gratitude can transform our perspective and turn ordinary, everyday moments into something extraordinary. By shifting our focus and embracing gratitude, we can uncover the beauty hidden within our daily routines and the progress our children are making. 

I'll share three practical ideas to help you celebrate and focus on the small wins. From creating a gratitude jar with your child to ending your day with a simple (but effective!) gratitude practice, these quick and easy practices can have a profound impact on your relationship with yourself and your child, plus they really help shape your mindset as an autism parent.

If you're looking for inspiration to navigate the ups and downs of autism parenting, this episode is for you!

Let's explore the power of gratitude together and learn to find joy in our journey. Join me on NeurOrdinary as we celebrate the small wins and cultivate resilience in our parenting adventure. Make sure to tune in every Thursday for new episodes. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with other autism parents who could use some support and inspiration.

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode...

In this week's episode of NeurOrdinary, we delved into three important topics for autism parents: resilience, self-care, and personal growth. As a neurospicy autism parent myself, I totally get the challenges we face, and that's exactly why we're exploring these crucial areas together. 

First off, we’ll talk all about resilience, which is our ability to bounce back from tough times. I’ll share the importance of finding a supportive community and embracing imperfection, both for ourselves and our children. It's all about facing the challenges head-on and creating a space where everyone can thrive and grow.

Next, we’ll tackle the idea of self-care.

As autism parents, it's easy to put ourselves last on the list, but we learned that self-care isn't a luxury – it's a necessity. 

We’ll discuss setting boundaries, finding activities that recharge us, and address the guilt that sometimes comes with taking time for ourselves.

And finally, we explore the incredible opportunity for personal growth that autism parenting offers. I cover the importance of self-reflection, self-compassion, and how our children's diagnoses can lead to a deeper understanding of our own needs and challenges.

Overall, this episode is all about reminding autism parents that we're not alone! I also provide practical tips and insights to help you navigate your journey with grace all while you create a beautiful, authentic life for yourself and your children. 

So don't forget to tune in every Thursday for new episodes…if you loved what you heard, drop a comment or review to let me know your thoughts. And if you know someone who could benefit from these discussions, be sure to share this episode with them. Thanks for listening, and remember: It may not always be easy, but it doesn’t have to be so hard! You're not alone in this.

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

✨ ✨ Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

These are some of my favorite self-care resources…

Welcome to NeurOrdinary, the podcast where we explore topics that are close to the hearts of parents raising their neurodiverse kiddos. I'm your host, Karen, a mom to two extraordinary autistic kiddos.

As an autism parent, I understand the daily struggles, challenges, and victories that come with raising neurodiverse children. 

In today's episode, I dive deep into one of my absolute favorite topics: the power of gratitude in the lives of autism parents. 

We all know that our lives can often feel like a whirlwind of therapies, appointments, and overwhelming responsibilities. It's easy to get caught up in the daily challenges and lose sight of our own well-being. 

That’s where cultivating gratitude comes in.

By embracing an attitude of gratitude, we create an intentional practice of acknowledging and appreciating the positives in our lives. It doesn't have to be time-consuming or complicated. It can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to reflect on the things we're thankful for, no matter how small they may seem. 

Throughout the episode, I discuss the incredible power of the gratitude mindset, how to notice the hidden silver linings in our journey as autism parents, and the profound role that cultivating gratitude plays in self-care. 

Join me as I share personal stories, practical tips, and insights to help us all navigate the ups and downs of autism parenting with grace, strength, and resilience. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfy spot, and let's dive into this episode!

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Welcome to Episode 014 of NeurOrdinary! I'm Karen Kossow, a neurospicy autism mom, who is no stranger to the unique challenges of autism parenting.

In today's episode, we'll talk about some common myths and the societal pressures that compel autism parents to act like “superheroes” who can manage every aspect of our child's life. 

But let me share a little secret with you—perfection isn’t possible! 

We can't control every detail of this journey, and that's okay. We’ll all enjoy life a lot more if we stop trying to force our idea of what “should” be, and embrace what is.

Throughout this episode, we'll serve up practical strategies to help you recalibrate your expectations and nurture self-compassion. We'll talk about the significance of setting achievable boundaries and celebrating the little victories along the way. 

Remember, you're not alone on this journey! 

We're creating a supportive community of autism parents, folks who truly grasp the “adventure” we're on and are committed to uplifting each other.

Join us on NeurOrdinary as we explore the art of releasing the need for control, embracing the beauty of imperfection, and enjoying this wild ride together.

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? Contact me here to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Hey there! Welcome to NeurOrdinary, the podcast that's all about navigating the unpredictable journey of autism parenting. I'm your host, Karen, a mom to two incredible neurodiverse kiddos. As an autism parent, I understand the challenges we face daily, and I know that sometimes, we just need a safe space to vent, share our experiences, and find support.

In our latest episode, we delve into a topic that many of us can relate to: letting go of control and coping with uncertainty. As autism parents, we often find ourselves yearning for control to create the perfect, predictable environment for ourselves, and our children. However, holding onto perfectionism and control can actually do more harm than good.

During this episode, we explore the consequences of perfectionism, such as increased stress and anxiety, missed opportunities for connection with our kids, unrealistic expectations, and emotional exhaustion. 

But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! 

We also provide practical advice on how to let go of these tendencies.

We discuss the importance of self-compassion, setting realistic expectations, seeking support from friends, family, and professionals, and practicing mindfulness and acceptance. By embracing imperfection and releasing our tight grip on control, we create an environment of acceptance and love for ourselves and our unique kiddos.

So grab a cozy blanket and your favorite beverage, and join us on this journey of self-discovery and resilience!

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Don't see your preferred podcast program listed? ⁠Contact me here⁠ to suggest where you'd like to listen to NeurOrdinary. 

Today, we're delving into a topic that's close to my heart – breaking free from the clutches of perfectionism as an autism parent. 

Now, I don't just talk the talk; I walk the walk, as a mother of two neurospicy kiddos who've taught me life's beautiful messiness.

You see, perfectionism is like that uninvited guest who overstays their welcome. It's the nagging inner voice that insists we must be flawless, or we fall short. And as autism parents, the stakes often feel higher. The pressure to control every detail and have all the answers can be overwhelming. 

But guess what? It's time to kick perfectionism to the curb.

In today's episode, I'm dishing out the strategies that have helped me tame my anxiety and release the need for perfectionism. First up, let's chat about self-compassion. It's about being your own best friend, offering kindness when you stumble. Embrace the fact that you're allowed to make mistakes, and perfection isn't the goal.

Then, there's the game-changer – setting realistic expectations. It's like celebrating the small wins that paint the big picture. These victories reshape your mindset and let positivity flow.

Remember, you're not on this journey alone. Seeking support from friends, family, and professionals lightens your load. You don't need to bear the world's weight alone. The wisdom and shared experiences of others can make all the difference.

To wrap things up, I'll share a personal story about relinquishing control within my own family. Releasing the grip of perfectionism allowed my husband and children to find their unique ways to handle things, and gave me a much-needed break.

So, don't miss this episode! It's packed with priceless insights and actionable strategies that'll help you break free from perfectionism, live a happier, healthier life, and nurture yourself, and your extraordinary children. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Why Autism Dads Matter…The Power of Father-Child Relationships in Autism

Martyr Mom Island - What Is It and How Can You Avoid It?

What is an Empowered and Engaged Autism Parent? 

Your Ultimate Guide to Boundaries as an Autism Parent: Taking Care of Yourself While Caring for Your Child

Redefining Success: Embracing Your Unique Path as an Autism Parent