Jackson's Advocacy

When we force kids to say “I’m sorry,” they don’t learn empathy.

They learn compliance.

They learn: say the thing, make the adult happy, move on. Not understand the feeling, make it right, grow from it.

You can’t force genuine remorse.
You can model it.
You can pause and help them name what happened.
You can let them come back later when they actually mean it.

Apologies should come from the heart, not from pressure. 💚

Sunday nights aren’t just rough for adults — kids feel it too.

That shift from free time → constant demands + sensory overload? Their nervous system already knows what’s coming.

I call it:
✨ Expect it. Accept it. Cope with it.™

We don’t erase anxiety. We give our kids coping tools:
🎈 Blow up a balloon
🌀 5 senses grounding
📅 Preview the week with choice
🎧 Headphones or fidget toolkit
💨 Bubble or dragon breaths

👉 Parents: If your child dreads Sunday nights, they’re not weird — they’re human. And their feelings are valid.

Everyone says “Parents, you need to practice self-care.”

But what does that look like when your life is full of IEP meetings, meltdowns, and weekends that don’t feel like a break?

💚 My latest blog is for YOU—the parent running on fumes, still showing up every day. It’s not about spa days or brunch. It’s about the tiny survival strategies that keep us steady enough to celebrate the beauty in our chaos.

👉 Read it here: https://www.jacksonsadvocacy.com/post/self-care-for-special-education-parents-what-it-really-looks-like-in-chaos

✨ Shoe-tying doesn’t come easy for every kid — and that’s okay.

These elastic shoe laces were a game-changer for my 12-year-old. They gave him the independence and confidence of “tying” his own shoes without the daily frustration.

Every child has different needs and timelines — what works for one may not work for another. For us, this simple tool was the bridge to independence in a way that respected his growth.

💡 Little supports like this can make a big difference!

❤️

I’m not a playful kind of mom.

I’m just not.

It’s not in my DNA.

I try.

But it’s hard.

It’s hard to play Barbies or make-believe princesses with my daughter.

It’s hard to run around like a monster and chase my son.

It’s hard to pretend or get down on all fours or pick my kids up and fly them around in an invisible airplane like their Daddy does.

I’m not a playful kind of mom.

I never will be.

But you know what?

I’m a great listener kind of mom.

I’m a reliable make your favorite foods kind of mom.

I’m a caring get up in the middle of the night when you’re sick kind of mom.

I’m a cuddly bedtime story kind of mom.

I’m a patient help you with your homework kind of mom.

I’m a consistent make all your appointments and take you to them kind of mom.

I’m an eager outdoor activity kind of mom.

I’m a cozy up with a blanket on the couch and watch movies together kind of mom.

I’m an impromptu trip to get ice cream for no reason on a warm summer afternoon kind of mom.

I’m a sympathetic hold you while you cry on my shoulder kind of mom.

I’m a pick you up a special treat just because I’m thinking of you kind of mom.

I’m a ferocious advocate kind of mom.

I’m a dedicated never miss a game or performance or meet kind of mom.

I’m a passionate believer in you kind of mom.

I’m an always there when you need me kind of mom.

And it’s true—I’m not good at playing or pretending or using my imagination.

But I’m an awesome love you no matter what kind of mom.

And I think that’s pretty important, too. ❤️

If I say, "get ready for bed" to my boys, it's too overwhelming for them due to the many steps. Individuals with autism/adhd have executive functioning challenges often, so breaking them down into individual steps, visually, helps my kiddos. Here are examples of the three visual schedules we have at home.

For Harlow I make an additional visual schedule for the middle of the day. Considering that the morning and nighttime routine are always consistent, I thought it would be most beneficial to get something that is static, then have a schedule that can be edited for the middle of the day.

Happy neuro parenting❤️

Volunteering in the Sunday classrooms is my favorite! Guess who's with me today??

Edited to add - this is not a sob post, this is awareness and "I get you" to other special needs families.

I was actually a bit excited that I was placed into Harlow's Sunday School room. I've been trained in PRT which is a specific type of therapy for autistic children so I was pretty excited for her to be in the class so I could help her with social situations Etc.

Well, it was not as I expected. Even with me in the classroom, using my training, she refused, flat out refused to engage in any social situation.

However, she was completely hyper fixated in her own world, and that's okay. Many (**not all) autistic odd and adults first, do not understand social interactions, gestures, speech, non verbal cues, but Secondly, are completely content in their own world.

So,i respected her wishes and she played alone. She was happy, fixated, and completely engrossed in what she was doing.

Who am I to force social situations on her when she is completely content with herself?

I know that many therapists, educators, doctors Etc will disagree with me and I totally understand that. This is simply my opinion as a neuroaffirming parent.

So parents, if you're discouraged, upset, about your child's social abilities, are they happy with themselves? I let them be. However, if your child is longing for friends, of course, teach them about social interactions etc.

I am the mom that let's their children be, EXACTLY as God intended. Who am I to change them when the creator has already done the work, exactly as he intended. God never fails. He always provides. He ows how many hairs are on each one of our heads. He knows our story already. God wins. ❤️🙏