Have you ever stood in a playground full of people and felt completely alone?

I think one of the hidden griefs of parenting a child with additional needs is that sometimes it doesn’t just make our child feel different - it makes us feel different too. Different from other families. Different from the parenting story we imagined. Different from the life everyone else seems to be living.

In this Parent Pause, I explore the loneliness that can creep in around school gates, birthday parties and everyday conversations. Not because people are unkind, but because when we feel different, we often pull back and carry more on our own than we need to.

What I’ve learned is that almost every family is carrying something. Anxiety, grief, financial worries, uncertainty, a diagnosis not yet shared. The playground is full of hidden stories.

Perhaps what we’re often longing for isn’t advice at all. It’s connection. Another parent saying, “Me too.” Not because their situation is identical, but because being human is.

There are no prizes for coping alone. Parenting was never meant to be a solo activity.

Thank you for pausing with me. Take care.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kimmccabe.substack.com/subscribe