Pause right where you and pat yourself on the back. Whether it’s 7am and you’ve just put your child on the bus or 5pm and you’re reading this while trying to figure out what to make for dinner, you’re doing a great job! As parents and guardians, you do so much. From the daily logistical challenges of getting everyone to where they need to be, to working in or outside the home, to the mental and emotional work of raising your children the very best you can, parents are busy.
And sometimes we get so busy that it’s easy to overlook all that our family has accomplished. Today, we just want to encourage you to take a moment to reflect on some of the great things that both you and your child have done recently.
Accomplishments to Acknowledge
As a parent or guardian of a child with autism or other special needs, you already know that accomplishments come in all shapes and sizes, and that everyone hits milestones at different times. And that doesn’t make any one accomplishment more or less worthy of celebration.
Anyone with a child in school should be celebrating this month. While every day may not have been great (and many were probably hard!), you and your kiddo successfully completed the school year. Congratulations! Here are a few other (varying sized) accomplishments you might want to keep an eye out for:
- A tantrum-free errand
- Trying a new food or a new texture
- Making a new friend at school – or even just interacting with someone new
- A new word
- Being on time to an appointment (accomplishments come in all shapes and sizes remember!)
- Fewer meltdowns in a day
Ways to Celebrate as a Family
Celebrating both the big and the little victories encourages and motivates children (and adults). When you look for ways to celebrate, remember to find things that really speak to you or your child. For you, maybe you celebrate a little victory by simply giving yourself permission to sit on the couch and read or watch tv after the kids go to bed. For your kiddo, look to their interests. Maybe extra time outside or a special food (cupcakes, anyone?) would help them enjoy their moment.
At Innovative Behavior Options, we partner with your family to help you achieve your goals and to give you more victories to celebrate. To learn more about ABA therapy for your child with autism, give us a call at 770-250-0093.