Welcome back to another episode of the Thriving Moms of Autistics Podcast! I am your host, Dr. Christina Wilson.

I often hear from moms that their greatest fear is dying and leaving their child behind.

I recall being in the hospital. I was fighting so hard. Unfortunately, sepsis doesn’t always have a good outcome. I had never been so sick in my life.

At one point, I was spitting up blood and it was coming out of the tubes from my stomach.

I thought to myself, “This is it? This is how it is going to end? Then a calmness came over me. God laid it on my heart that there was more. Then, it was so clear, as if he whispered in my ear, “I want you to work with women.” That was when the Thriving Moms of Autistics was born.

In this episode, we explore our motivation to be around for our children and ways to make that happen so that we are here to support them as long as we can and have a long lasting positive effect on them.

Find the full transcript for this episode on your favorite podcast app.

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Moms of Autistics Experience Similar Stress Levels as Those in Combat

Self-care is often at the end of a moms to-do list if it even makes it on the lengthy list. That is because our child’s needs are pretty extensive.

Because of those extensive needs and additional challenges posed by IEP meetings, other’s demands and judgments about our parenting styles or child’s behaviors our stress levels are often extremely high.

A University of Wisconsin study found that mothers of adolescent and adult autistics experienced stress similar to that of a combat veteran. Sit with that for just a minute.

That is one of many reasons why self-care is critical for moms raising autistic children.

Stress is a precursor to disease. That throws a serious wrench in our plans to stick around for our children.

We can’t have that, now can we!!

Self-Care Is More Than Moms of Autistics Think It Is

There are several components to self-care, such as emotional, physical, mental, social, spiritual, and professional self-care.

Moms of autistics experience strong emotions. They deal with a lot and often. As a result, many moms experience shame, anger, frustration, unworthiness, guilt, etc.

Moms might neglect their physical upkeep by skipping workouts or not getting enough sleep.

Mental health might take a hit with increased anxiety and depression. It is easy to get caught up in the negative when big things are happening around you.

Socially, we might withdraw or isolate because so many others just don’t get it, and it is easier to separate ourselves.

Moms often feel a disconnect spiritually. We once felt connected to God, the Universe, or whatever it is we adhere to. A loss of connection is the result.

How Can Moms of Autistics Get Creative with Self-Care?

Here are some self-care ideas that might spark your interest:

1. Find a coach to support your growth as a mom
2. Use daily affirmations to remind yourself of your worth
3. Meditation & Breathing Techniques to Calm and Restore
4. Take a hot bath and light some candles after your child goes to bed
5. Walk around the neighborhood
6. Dance it out and invite your child to join you
7. Find a podcast that supports your growth or favorite topic
8. Read a chapter of the book you have been eying
9. Journal what is on your mind and ways to grow from it
10. Find a hob