Because connection shouldn't come with eye rolls.

Finding ways to bond with your teen can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. You want to spend time together, but the moment it feels too planned or parent-y, they shut down. Trust me—I’ve been there. But over time, I’ve learned that the best bonding moments come when we’re doing something low-pressure, maybe even a little silly, with zero expectation to “talk about our feelings.”

Games have become that space for us. And not the overly complicated kind or the ones that require a lot of setup. I'm talking about good old-fashioned card games, puzzles, and board games—simple, familiar, and surprisingly fun (even for teens who claim they're “too old” for Connect 4).

Because feeding them shouldn’t feel like just another battle.

Meal planning as a parent is already a juggling act. But when you're raising a neurodivergent child—especially one with sensory sensitivities, limited food preferences, or appetite changes from medication—mealtimes can feel like the hardest part of the day.

I’ve had to throw out more uneaten meals than I care to admit. What worked one week suddenly “tastes weird” the next. Some days, he eats two bites and is done. Other days, it’s non-stop grazing. Sound familiar?

If you're in the same boat, you're not alone—and there are ways to bring a little more ease into the chaos.

There are some weeks where it feels like everything is falling apart. Meltdowns, changed plans, school calls, surprise bills, or just sheer exhaustion can throw our whole world off balance. As a parent—especially raising a neurodivergent teen—you start to realize that you can’t control everything. But you can control some things. And that matters more than we think.

One of the most powerful tools I’ve found to bring calm into our chaos is routine. Not the rigid, schedule-every-minute kind. But the dependable, calming kind. The kind that tells our brains and bodies: you are safe here.

Because the first week back is hard — for both of us.

The first week back at school is never easy. But when you’re parenting a neurodivergent teen, it can feel like walking a tightrope — hoping you’ve done enough, packed the right lunch, and remembered all the supports they’ll need when the overwhelm hits.

We’re feeling it this week. The nerves, the resistance, the tension in the air.

When emotions run high—whether it’s a school meltdown, a sensory overload, or just a rough day—breathing might not seem like a solution. But it can be. Breathwork is one of the simplest tools available to help regulate the nervous system, and it’s especially powerful for teens with ADHD, anxiety, or emotional sensitivity.

**Food has become the battleground in our house—**and I never thought it would be.

My teen takes meds that suppress his appetite. He prefers processed food or takeout. And even when I finally make a meal he eats and likes? Next time, he says, “I don’t like that anymore.”

It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. It’s daily. But I also know this: real food supports his body and his brain. So I’m not giving up—I'm just getting smarter about it.

I used to think I had to choose between a clean house and a connected home. That if I couldn’t keep up with laundry, dishes, and dust bunnies, I was somehow failing. That belief? I’ve let it go. (Okay — I’m trying to let it go.)

Because here's the truth: I live with a teenager who has ADHD and anxiety. And while some people have tidy houses with well-labeled storage bins, I have a kitchen table covered in unfinished puzzles, fidget toys, and a few abandoned cups. I have half-folded laundry on the couch, shoes in the hallway, and a living room that doubles as a crash pad when emotions get too big.

It’s not Instagram-perfect. But it’s real. And it’s ours.

I never thought I'd be the mom planning a tropical getaway. But here we are—getting ready to take my teen on his first real trip for his birthday next year. It'll be an all-inclusive resort somewhere warm (still narrowing down the country), and it’s going to be a lot of firsts for both of us.

First time flying.
First time out of the country.
First time trying to relax while managing anxiety, sensory overload, and a kid who eats about five things total.

So yes, I’m excited. But also? I’m planning the heck out of it—because I want this trip to be a win for both of us.