How to be a confident parent.

When my child was a baby, I read all the books — the sleep routines, the feeding guides, the “do this, not that” manuals. Each one had a different method. Each one promised it was the right way. I remember feeling completely confused and overwhelmed by all the mixed messages. In the end, I physically threw all the books in the bin and decided to do it my way.

Since my child’s diagnosis, that decision has become even more important.

I parent differently to how I was parented.
I parent differently to my friends who have neurotypical children.
I know they sometimes think I’m too soft… or too strict.
And yes, I do things as a parent of an autistic child that other parents might be horrified by.

But here’s the thing — I’ve learnt not to care.
I parent my child in the way they need to be parented, and in the way that works for us.

So…

If they need their iPad to regulate — I won’t be confiscating it.

No, we don’t visit Father Christmas. They’d hate it.

If they want to eat dinner in their bedroom because they’re dysregulated — so be it.

If they need an occasional duvet day from school to reset — so be it.

If they want to do homework sitting on the kitchen floor — so be it.

These are your children. This is your parenting journey.

You know your child better than anyone.  Have confidence in the way you choose to meet their needs.

And if anyone questions it, just smile and say:

“We do what works for us.”

At Family Avenues, we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting — just the one that works for you and your child.