In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, host Genie Dawkins returns with powerful honesty and clarity, reflecting on the personal and policy-level challenges facing parents—especially Black families raising neurodiverse children—in a shifting America. Genie shares her experiences as a single mom navigating school journeys, special education, and a rapidly changing landscape of educational protections. With warmth and wisdom, she highlights the current dismantling of key educational policies, the emotional toll of advocacy, and the critical importance of community, knowledge, and self-care. She also introduces exciting new features for the season, from advocacy tips to policy updates and practical resources.

• Why Pausing Matters: Genie reveals how taking time to pause and reflect—especially when everything feels overwhelming—can lead to clarity, empowerment, and stronger advocacy for your children.
• Policy Changes Impacting Families: Understand the recent attacks on DEI initiatives, affirmative action, and special education protections, and why these matter deeply for minority and neurodiverse students.
• Federal vs. State Safeguards: Learn how the dismantling of federal education regulations could create uneven playing fields for students, leaving families fighting alone.
• Action Steps for Parents: Genie stresses the importance of keeping your child’s IEP or 504 plan “tight,” staying up to date on changes, and advocating with confidence during meetings.
• New Podcast Features: Get ready for weekly advocacy tips, parent stories, “Saturday Policy Watch” updates, templates, guides, and tools to help you show up empowered and save time and energy.

• Tricia Hersey – Rest is Resistance (The Nap Ministry)
• U.S. Department of Education – Office of Special Education Programs
• Understanding the Impact of State-Level Changes in Special Education
• Parent Advocacy Resources & Templates (Coming Soon from The Parenting Cipher)

• “You don’t heal by pushing harder. You heal by learning to pause gently and consistently, even while your brain tells you to keep going.”— Tricia Hersey (quoted by Genie Dawkins)
• “Education has always been a tool for minorities to level the playing fields, and right now, that’s being attacked.”— Genie Dawkins
• “We must advocate from a place of power, knowledge, and community. That’s why The Parenting Cipher is back. Because silence is not an option.”— Genie Dawkins

Genie Dawkins is the inspiring host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, an education consultant, and a passionate advocate for equity in special education. As a single mother of two neurodiverse sons, Genie brings authentic lived experience to every episode, empowering parents with strategies, insights, and compassion drawn from her own journey. Her mission is to help families, especially those from marginalized communities, navigate complex educational systems and fight for every child's right to be safe, supported, and seen.

🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!

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