From Chaos to Calm: Re-parenting Myself While Parenting My Kids

Hey Tribe,

The soft glow of the living room light is a new kind of comfort. These days, I get some of my work done at the dining table before the morning routine begins, and my nervous system is still trying to adjust to this new reality. My mornings no longer start in a state of fight or flight. Instead, they begin with a quiet calm, and for that, I will cherish these new moments.

Over recent years, I have been learning more and more about my children, and the turning point for me was when my son was assessed and received his diagnosis. Through this, I've also learned that my other children have their own support needs. This incredible journey of learning has taught me that home should feel permanent even if it is temporary. The simple act of consciously changing my parenting style has become the most profound way I am re-parenting myself.

Our home is now intentionally built to be a sensory-friendly space. There are alphabet stickers on the walls, hopscotch stickers on the floors, LED lights in the bedrooms, sensory mats, a sensory swing, a crash pad, and a dedicated toy corner and more.

The house is becoming more sensory-friendly, from the lighting to the textures we choose. I am consciously working on learning to sit through the chaos of an answer they don't like until the calm appears as they got used to me being easy to persuade with noise, but we are working through it together; slowly but surely.

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: Stop waiting for home to find you. Make every space home. Just because you had to move around a lot doesn't mean you can't make those spaces enjoyable and safe. You don’t need to feel alone because you will find a community much larger than you ever anticipated, and through this community, you will not only feel seen but also validated in ways that, right now, you’re craving.

This journey is far from over.

With love, 
Lauren