Learning to Parent Myself (and My Kids) Differently 🌱

Grab your favorite “emotional support beverage” (or two… or four—we don’t judge here!) because this week’s newsletter is about balancing life’s chaos with a little bit of calm.

We started our latest episode with a laugh over our beverage habits, but as the conversation flowed, we got into some real talk about how we, as neurodivergent adults, try to find that sweet spot between “doing all the things” and taking a much-needed pause.

In this week’s edition, we’re diving deeper into the themes we touched on in the podcast: embracing our quirks, finding ways to recharge, and a little something we like to call “reparenting” ourselves to feel more grounded.

Whether you’re navigating burnout, building a routine that works, or just trying to keep up with your wild, wonderful brain, this one’s for you.

So settle in, take a sip of whatever you’re drinking, and let’s explore these topics together.

-Monica

This Week’s Sponsor:

My go to holiday drink!

The holidays can bring delicious indulgences, but they often lead to digestive discomfort. That’s where Pique’s Nandaka comes in! This blend of Pu’er Black and Green Teas, adaptogenic mushrooms, and ceremonial-grade Peruvian cacao offers gentle, sustained energy without the crash. With just 82mg of slow-release caffeine, it’s perfect hot or cold.

As the holiday season approaches, consider gifting Nandaka to loved ones seeking a healthier coffee alternative. Plus, enjoy 20% off on Pique’s best sellers! Don’t miss this chance to gift wellness!

Get 20% off Pique's best sellers + a free starter kit!

“How can neurodivergent individuals create balance and avoid burnout?”

Burnout can sneak up on anyone, but for us neurodivergent folks, it sometimes shows up in surprising ways.

One minute, you’re thriving, juggling a million projects, and the next… you’re wiped out, with zero energy left for even the simplest things. Sound familiar?

For some, burnout is a full-on crash where you’re down for days; for others, it’s just feeling uneasy, like something’s off, but you can’t quite pinpoint it.

So, how do we spot the signs early and keep burnout at bay? Here are a few strategies that have worked wonders for us:

Grounding Techniques

Start simple—take a few deep breaths, step outside, or do a quick body check-in. Sometimes, just pausing to ask yourself, “What do I need right now?” can make a massive difference.

Mindful Routines

Routine doesn’t mean boring! Find small habits that bring you joy throughout your day. For me, it might be a relaxing evening with my favorite book or a quick stretch to reset my brain between tasks.

Cannabis as a Calming Tool

If cannabis is something that you enjoy, it can be a great way to unwind and settle into the moment. In the episode, I shared how taking an edible helps me feel more connected and present, especially during family time. It’s not about escaping but creating a calm and clear moment.

These tips are just a start! We shared more insights in the episode, so give it a listen if burnout has been on your mind lately.

Finding balance takes time, but you’re not in it alone. We’re learning as we go too, and we’re here to share every step of the way.

(P.S. Do you have a question you’d like answered here? Reply to this email, and we’ll include it in a future edition!)

Education Spotlight: Reparenting For Neurodivergent Adults

You might have heard the term before, but what actually is “reparenting”?

Basically, it’s about giving yourself the love, support, and guidance you may not have fully received growing up, especially if you’re neurodivergent. If you felt misunderstood or had to “tone down” parts of who you are, reparenting is your chance to reclaim your true self with compassion.

In the podcast, Britney and I touched on unmasking and starting to live in a way that feels authentic to you. This is a big part of reparenting, and it takes time!

But little by little, you can start by checking in with yourself: How am I really feeling today? What do I truly need? And, most importantly, Is this decision right for me?

How Can You Start Reparenting Yourself?

• Self-Compassion Check-Ins: Practice being kind to yourself by setting aside a moment each day to recognize your efforts. Instead of focusing on what didn’t get done, acknowledge what you accomplished, no matter how small.

• Setting “Sensory Boundaries”: Neurodivergent individuals can experience sensory overload more easily, so create a few go-to strategies to manage it. Maybe it’s setting aside a quiet space to retreat to or using headphones to take a sensory “timeout.”

• Creating a “Comfort Kit”: Build a small collection of items that soothe you. Maybe it’s a favorite snack, a grounding object like a smooth stone, or a smell you love. This can help you self-soothe in moments of stress, especially if you’re navigating intense emotions.

Can Cannabis Help You Reparent?

Sure, cannabis might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about reparenting. But for some, it can be a useful tool in the journey toward self-compassion and balance.

Cannabis, especially when used mindfully, can quiet the “internal noise” that sometimes clouds our ability to check in with ourselves. For some, it’s a way to slow down, release stress, and approach routines—like journaling, meditation, or just taking a mindful pause—with more openness and ease.

If you’re curious, start small. Notice which types or dosages make you feel grounded rather than disconnected, and consider pairing cannabis with another self-care ritual to see how they work together.

Reparenting is about listening to your needs, and cannabis can be an option that helps you tune into those needs a little more clearly.

Healing Out Loud - So Others Don’t Have To:

Breaking the Cycle: Learning to Reparent Myself and Support My Kids’ Emotions

Growing up, I learned pretty quickly that expressing my emotions or opinions was... complicated.

If I felt strongly about something or wanted to speak up, I was often told to “tone it down” or “keep quiet”—especially if my thoughts didn’t align with the norm.

My parents, without meaning any harm, were raising me through the lens they’d inherited: their own childhoods, their experiences, and the way the world worked at that time.

If they knew the effect it would have, they might have done things differently. But they didn’t know, and that’s okay.

Now, as I work to reparent myself, I’m also learning to be a different kind of parent for my kids. When they have “big” emotions or unconventional thoughts, instead of brushing them aside, I’m learning to lean in, listen, and help them work through their feelings.

Instead of signaling to them that their emotions are “too much” or something to bottle up, I’m working hard to be a safe place for them to process. We talk through it together, discovering where those feelings come from and finding ways to understand and handle them.

It’s not perfect, and honestly, I won’t know for sure how this will shape them until they’re older. But if there’s one thing I want them to know, it’s this: their home is a safe space for any thought, feeling, or emotion.

They can express themselves fully and freely, and I’ll be there to listen, not judge.

It’s my way of breaking those generational habits and creating a new cycle, where emotions aren’t something to suppress or hide but are part of being human, part of growing.

Because at the end of the day, all I want them to know is that they don’t have to bottle up their thoughts or stay silent. They’re free to be themselves, loud and clear.

(P.S. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Reply to this email, and we’ll include it in a future edition!)

Don’t Miss Out On EVEN MORE Cali Sober Content:

Check out some of our latest blog posts: