Women Empowerment

Tag: routines

How Can I Support My Neurodivergent Child? 15 Tips That Helped Our Family
If Your Child Was Just Diagnosed Neurodivergent, Let Me Give You a Hug.

I remember sitting exactly where you may be today. Overwhelmed. Scared. Wondering if I was doing enough.

As the mom of three incredible children with autism, I spent years searching for ways to help my kids thrive. I wasn’t looking for a miracle. I was looking for practical ideas that could make everyday life just a little easier.

I typed questions into Google like:
- “How can I help my autistic child naturally?”
- “What reduces meltdowns?”
- “How can I get my kids to eat more?”
- “What helps neurodivergent children sleep better?”
- “How can I create a calmer home?”
- “What do “safe” places look like with kids with autism/neurodivergence?”
If that’s why you’re here today, I hope this article gives you both practical ideas and hope. One of my sons had a very low IQ. Doctor’s were not sure he could learn. Today, he is a college graduate, working a full time computer science job. There is hope. Don’t give up! Keep looking for resources, different learning techniques for the Neurodivergent population.

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What We Know About Autism/Neurodivergent

Today, researchers agree that autism has a strong genetic component. Scientists also continue to study how environmental factors may interact with genetics during early development. Autism is complex, and there isn’t one single cause or one single solution.

That realization actually brought me peace. I can’t change my children’s genetics. But I can create a home that supports their health, learning, and emotional well-being. That’s exactly what our family set out to do.

One Thing Changed Everything

One of the biggest lessons I learned is this:

There wasn’t one magic therapy. And there wasn’t one miracle supplement. The answer wasn’t one essential oil. It was hundreds of small decisions made consistently over many years.This includes Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, ABA, and Behavior plans. We layered in Movement, Better sleep (process of elimination), Nutrition (we try hard – thank God for supplements), and Medication when appropriate.

What helped the most was Love. Along with Patience. And creating a home that felt calm and predictable. Every little piece mattered.

But hear me, this came with many tears, a divorce, and a crap ton of debt. Our solutions weren’t without pain, searching, and a great deal of grief and heartache.

Would I change my kids? I don’t think so. I wanted my neurodivergent children to be all that they could be. My goals included them being able to navigate an airport alone. It’s yet to be determined if they are all able to do this. 🙏🏼

15 Practical Ways We Supported Our Neurodivergent Kids

1. Create Predictable Routines

Neurodivergent individuals thrive in routines.

Children often feel more secure when they know what comes next.

Morning routines.

Homework routines.

Bedtime routines.

Consistency helped reduce stress for everyone. Change is hard. So we aimed to keep our routines predictable as much as possible.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Good sleep made a tremendous difference in our home. We kept bedtime consistent, dimmed the lights, reduced screens before bed, and created a peaceful environment whenever possible. Although, full disclosure, one of my neurodivergent kiddos has to have something going on in the background to sleep, possibly YouTube videos.

3. Get Outside Every Day

Let’s face it. This was a goal. It did NOT happen every day. Fresh air and movement helped my kids regulate their emotions. Even fifteen minutes outside often made homework go much more smoothly. Most neurodivergent individuals thrive in the outdoors and nature.

4. Break Difficult Tasks Into Small Pieces

Instead of expecting an hour of homework, we often worked for five to ten minutes, followed by a short movement break. Those breaks made a huge difference. Think token boards, crossing off expectations, showing an end in sight with visual timers.

5. Reduce Background Noise

Television. Music. Extra conversations.

For one of my sons, too much background noise made it much harder to concentrate. Creating a quiet space helped him focus.

For some neurodivergents, quiet atmospheres are very helpful. My one child is easily overwhelmed by any extra noise.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Progress deserved celebration.

One completed math row? Celebrate. (High fives, a Pokemon card from the prize box, a m&m candy)…

A successful bedtime? Celebrate, with a cartoon on at breakfast.

Trying something new? Celebrate. (Go for a special outing, play ten minutes later at bedtime, give deep compressions with pillows, pull the kids around on a blanket, play baby dinosaur)…

Those little victories build confidence over time, which help my neurodivergent kids build self esteem. They could see they were capable of hard things.

7. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward charts, favorite activities, and immediate encouragement were much more effective for our family than punishment. Get creative. One of my kids was obsessed with car washes. I found a see through car wash. We went so often. My son soaked in every second of feeling the brushes move against the glass. Lean into their special interests. They will love you for it.

8. Focus on Good Nutrition

Our goal wasn’t perfection. It was simply feeding our family nourishing foods as often as we could. Full disclosure: I gave up on veggies. We focused on fruits.

Protein: very rarely was it more than fried chicken products (boneless).

Healthy fats? My kids wouldn’t touch peanut butter. We did all that we could.

Colorful fruits and vegetables (as if)… I tried.

Water. I made my kids drink water. I won that battle.

Little improvements added up.

9. Build a Support Team

We didn’t do this alone.

Teachers.

Therapists.

Doctors.

Friends.

Church.

Family.

Accepting help made us stronger. Neurodivergents typically take a village. I used to think maybe we needed a whole tribe/city to raise our kids well.

10. Find the Right Therapies

Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA were all important parts of our journey.

Every child is different, so work with professionals to determine what best fits your child’s needs. One child needed vision therapy, and physical therapy, the others didn’t. Pick and choose what works best. Throw out what is stress inducing, or what causes more chaos.

11. Remember Yourself

Caregivers need care too. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Think micro self care. Read this post about self care HERE.

12. Keep Learning

Every child is wonderfully unique.

Stay curious.

Ask questions.

Read.

Learn.

Adjust. Model coping skills for your neurodivergent kids, teaching them to keep learning too. Learning is addictive!

13. Create a Calm Environment

Simple things helped our family:
- Soft lighting
- Organized spaces with labels, (pictures)
- Predictable routines
- Calm voices
- Sensory-friendly spaces
- Quiet spots
14. Give Yourself Grace

There is no perfect parent.

You don’t have to do everything.

Do the next right thing.

Then tomorrow…

Do it again. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Neurodivergence takes patience and breaks as much as possible.

15. Products Our Family Enjoyed Using

Over the years, we also chose to include wellness products as part of our family’s routines.

These weren’t cures. They were simply products we personally enjoyed using alongside everything else we were already doing.

Some of our favorites included:

KidScents® Geneyus

We enjoyed using Geneyus as part of our family’s overall wellness routine. This is also part of the Reconnect Kit. I like giving my kids the rollerball, so whenever they feel stumped, I remind them to apply it.

Unwind™

Evenings after therapy, appointments, and homework could feel overwhelming. We enjoyed incorporating Unwind into our bedtime routine as part of creating a peaceful environment.

MightyPro®

Supporting gut health became one of the many healthy habits we focused on. Our guts determine our brain function at a deep level. Many of our kids need gut health support. This is a probiotic made for children! I still take them occasionally myself.

These sweet, yummy pixie sticks were a reward my kids looked forward to at night. They truly thought I was letting them have candy before bed – ha!

Reconnect Kit

This kit supports all of the most emphasized traits of the neurodivergent. It’s pricey. I would buy it once, see which oils positively affect your kids the most. Then, I would buy those products individually. That’s how I roll.

I honestly wanted my kids to drink Ningxia Red. However, not one of them would tolerate it, Friends of mine have had phenomenal results in their children after the kids have ingested Ningxia Red for a few weeks. I wanted to include this as a possibility because it has been so helpful for others.

Hope for the Journey

If I could sit across the table from every newly diagnosed parent, I’d tell them this:

Don’t chase perfection.

Don’t believe every promise on the internet.

And don’t lose hope.

Your child doesn’t need to become someone else.

Your child needs people who will understand, encourage, and help them discover their unique gifts.

My oldest son once cried through homework for hours.

Today, he’s a grown man driving, working, living a full life.

Growth is possible.

Progress is possible.

Hope is always possible. Keep going. One step in front of the other. Try new tactics. Adjust. Rinse and repeat.

Download My FREE Homework Success Checklist

If homework battles have become one of the hardest parts of your day, I’d love to help.

Download my FREE Homework Success Checklist for practical ideas that helped make homework calmer, more productive, and less stressful in our home.

Inside you’ll find:
- Homework routines
- Focus tips
- Reward ideas
- Calm environment checklist
- Parent encouragement
Download your FREE Homework Success Checklist today!

Consultation

Feel free to book a thirty minute free consultation with me. I love helping families find free resources and ways to help. It would mean the world to me to meet you face to face. That’s me below. My hair is shorter now and I may weigh thirty more pounds. Yep, it’s time to get new headshots – ha!!
August 18, 2026
Overstimulated Child?
Help Your Child Feel Calmer and Have Fewer Meltdowns: 5 Simple Strategies That Work

Overstimulated? Have you ever watched your child completely melt down over something that seemed small?

The wrong color cup. A tag in a shirt. Changes in plans. Too loud room. A sibling breathing too loudly. If so, you’re not alone. These can all be overstimulating.

As a mom of three children on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned something important over the years:

A meltdown is often the end of a struggle you never got to see.

Many children today are dealing with more stimulation than ever before. Noise, screens, schedules, social demands, bright lights, transitions, and constant activity can leave their little nervous systems feeling overwhelmed.

Here are 5 Signs Your Child is Overstimulated.
1. They Become Irritable Over Small Things
2. They Start Seeking More Control
3. Increased Noise Sensitivity
4. Emotional Reactions Become Bigger
5. They Withdraw or Shut Down
The good news? There are practical things we can do to help.

1. Watch for the Early Warning Signs

Overstimulation: Most meltdowns don’t come out of nowhere.

They build.

Your child may become:
- Irritable
- Extra emotional
- Restless
- Withdrawn
- Sensitive to noise or touch
Learning your child’s early warning signs can help you intervene before they reach their breaking point. This may intercept a meltdown. Addressing overstimulation before it hits the fan. Intercepting being overstimulated before it is full meltdown mode is so rewarding for the whole family.

Zinger: Behavior is communication before it’s a problem.

2. Create Calm Spaces

Every child needs a place to decompress.

This doesn’t need to be fancy. They may include:

Bean bag.

Blanket.

Favorite stuffed animal.

Quiet corner.

Diffuser with calming oils.

Think of it as an emotional charging station. Children often regulate better when they have a safe place to reset. This can be such a game changer for an overstimulated child.

Zinger: Even little people need space to breathe.

3. Reduce Sensory Overload

Sometimes what looks like bad behavior is actually an overwhelmed nervous system.

Consider:
- Lowering background noise
- Reducing screen time
- Building quiet breaks into the day
- Avoiding overscheduling
- Using noise cancelling headphones
- Rubbing essential oils on wrists or chests before going into overstimulating areas
The goal isn’t to eliminate life, it’s to create enough margin for recovery. An overstimulated child may find a calm down area so refreshing.

Zinger: An overwhelmed nervous system often looks like bad behavior.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep affects everything.

Mood.

Focus.

Emotions.

Patience.

When children are tired, even small frustrations can feel huge. One of the best investments you can make is creating a predictable bedtime routine. Children thrive when they know what comes next.

Our ABA therapist suggested I use first and then with my children. This went like, “First, we put shoes on, then we go outside.” First, we get in the car, then you get your water cup.” Etc. This strategy made life feel more tolerable and easier to manage.

Overstimulated children do best with structure.

Zinger: A tired child often fights sleep the hardest.

5. Connect Before You Correct

This may be the most important tip of all.

When emotions are high, lectures rarely work.

What children often need first is connection.

A hug with a calm voice. Then, a reminder that they’re safe. Once they’re regulated, then we can teach.

Zinger: Connection opens doors that correction can’t.

The truth of the matter is that children behave better when they feel understood. When children are overstimulated they may not even understand their behavior at that time. These children tend to go into fight or flight mode in this arroused state.

A Few Things That Helped Our Family

Every child is different, but some of the things we found helpful included:
- Consistent routines
- Earlier bedtimes
- Reduced sensory overload
- Quiet time throughout the day
- Calming bedtime rituals
- Visual Schedules
Some families also enjoy incorporating plant-based wellness products into their evening routine.

Products

Products that helped us with overstimulation include:

Young Living’s Unwind for bed time or after a hard day at school.

Another huge help is Kidscents Sleepyze. My kids appear more rested and grounded when I’ve been able to apply this to their feet or have it in their diffusers over night.

Kid Power is another essential oil blend made for children. I use it myself for its grounding, hopeful scent. A friend has his children apply it to their chests when he sees them getting grumpy. He states that it pulls the kids right back around in a better state of being.

Another tried and true oil blend is Peace and Calming. If we’ve had big emotions, I throw this in the diffuser. It is such a “light” scent, the kids never notice. However, it sure changes the atmosphere.

Peace and calming is nice at night for sleeping as well. This one is not specifically diluted for children as the others are.

These products aren’t a substitute for healthy routines, but they can be a nice addition to a calming evening ritual.

Final Thoughts

If your child gets overstimulated easily, please hear this:

Some children simply experience the world more intensely than others.

The goal isn’t to make them less sensitive.

The goal is to help them feel safe, understood, and equipped to navigate those big feelings.

Because sometimes a meltdown isn’t defiance.

It’s a nervous system asking for help.

Free Gift

If bedtime is one of the hardest parts of your day, I’ve created a free guide called:

“The Nighttime Routine for Neurospicy Kids”

Inside, I’ll walk you through simple strategies that helped our family create calmer evenings, smoother transitions, and better sleep.

Because every child deserves a peaceful place to land at the end of the day.

Take the dread out of going to bed with this free E Book to help make going to sleep way better.

For more on this topic, check out this post: Conquering Bedtime Procrastination. Have fun. I bet you smile reading that one.
June 23, 2026
How Overwhelmed Moms Can Get Organized (Without Doing More)
Introduction

How overwhelmed Moms Can Get Organized without doing more… if you are like me; there is most likely a pile of dirty laundry somewhere, a few dirty dishes in the sink, some strange unrelated toys on the floor, and at least one bed in the house that is completely unmade. Can you relate or is it just me? Don’t get me started on the backpacks, shoes, and jackets!

Overwhelmed mom, I see you, I am you too. Wouldn’t it be great if AI could come clean our homes like everything else? Ha!

Most moms including me, aren’t disorganized as much as we are completely overloaded. If you are like me, I get an area “decluttered,” only to find it in disarray a few weeks later. I wonder if there are gremlins who mess my organized areas up at night (ha! I am aware it was my little children often making a mess as they try to find their prized possessions, sigh).

When kids are young, the messes are normally toys, half eaten food, and dirty bibs. As they get older, it’s more sports equipment and uniforms strewn about. And even as kids age, it has been legos, craft supplies, and water bottles that litter my organized way of life. Anyone else? Anyone?

This article is about reminding ourselves (me included) that organization is not about perfection, but on reducing the mental load. When everything has a place, I feel lighter. Knowing where things go, and the confidence that it is being kept there, doesn’t just help me when I need to find things, it gives me so much more peace and joy.

“If your house feels messy and your brain feels full, this isn’t a motivation problem — it’s a systems problem.”

Overwhelmed Moms, Getting Organized:

Step #1: Start With ONE “Landing Zone”

(This is the highest-impact action)

Overwhelmed moms, getting organized starts with landing zones. Whether it’s the junk drawer for all the mysterious finds in the kitchen, hooks for hanging in the garage (on the way inside), or a nice basket with a lid by the front door, these are all known as the wonderful “landing zone.” I also love a good sized ottoman with storage to land the family room clutter.

What I love about landing zones, is that when the cleaning fairy bites, motivating organization, we can put what is in the landing zones away. This limits overwhelm immensely. It also makes cleaning up fast!

My favorite purchase when all of my children (The Fantastic Four) were under ten years old was the stair basket. Even with a crying baby in hand, I could put the items that needed to go upstairs in the “stair basket,” hidden away. Before I went to bed at night, I put what was inside the basket in its proper place (most nights to be honest – ha!).

Why it works:

Reduces visual clutter

Reduces decision fatigue

Prevents piles from spreading

“Don’t organize the whole house. Just give clutter a home.”

Overwhelmed Moms get organized — Organize Your Time Before Your Stuff

Step #2: Organized Moms organize their time before their Stuff

(This is where you sound different from Pinterest moms)…

When chaos is rushing by, clutter follow. So I tried to keep clutter at bay by cleaning up twice a day.

After making breakfast, I would clean the kitchen. Then, after I fed the kids lunch, I’d put them down for nap and tidy up the house. Finally, at night after dinner, before baths, we would clean up again. It was not rare to need to vacuum at this point too. The kids would make crumb piles like nobody’s business. (Face palm).

Simple actions:

Pick 2 daily anchors: these are two time a day that you straighten your home, keeping chaos at bay.

If you have neuro diverse kids like me, keeping their toys separated in clear containers with labels helped so much. This method assisted them in seeing what was inside. It kept their overwhelm at bay, when they wanted to explore.

Examples:

5-minute mid-day tidy

10-minute evening reset

“Your home doesn’t need hours of cleaning. It needs rhythms.”

Overwhelmed Moms Get Organized – Create a “Not Today” List

Step #3 Create a “Not Today,” List

(Mental organization = physical relief)

Moms often carry way too many invisible tasks. Does this sound familiar? “Timmy needs a haircut. The dog needs his flea treatment. Did I miss the deadline for gymnastics next month? Did I pay the classroom fees yet? When does Nora need her medicine next? Do we have enough mayo for BLT’s tonight?”

See all these thoughts fly through our heads like a hurricane constantly. No wonder we fight overwhelm!

I find keeping questions like these off my mind & in my phone or planner so liberating! It helps not carry the weight around.

Next, I have times of the day that I deal with these things. Normally, before the kids wake up, I start making appointment calls. Then, I order groceries.

Some might be giving me a look of judgment. Ordering groceries does cost extra. But, when I take my kids to the grocery store, it takes a couple hours of valuable time and we spend way more money. For me, it is such a HUGE when to oder the groceries; both financially and with time management.

How to do it:

Write down everything stressing you

Move non-urgent items to a “later” list

Why this helps:

Clears mental clutter

Reduces anxiety

Creates focus

“Just because it matters doesn’t mean it has to be done today.”

Overwhelmed Moms Get Organized — Simplify Daily Decisions

Step #4: Simplify Daily Decisions

(This lowers overwhelm fast)

When overwhelm is plaguing us, decision fatigue is all too real. Sometimes, not choosing is best! What I mean by this is give ourselves grace. Every now and then, a jammy day is ok. A night with no bath isn’t going to shatter anyone.

Sometimes, it is ok to have an extra half hour of screen time to keep peace and sanity. Often, choosing the path of least resistance simplifies decision making.

Has anyone else noticed when there are too many choices, tiredness tends to be around the corner. Limiting choices can bring relief, not to mention another layer of organization.

Examples:

repeat meals

simple outfits

set routines for errands, laundry, groceries

Real life story: My youngest melted down every single morning when it was time to get dressed. She would cry. Laying on the floor, she refused to get her clothes on.

We were always late to preschool. I was so embarrassed! She looked disheveled. During preschool, her dad and I unfortunately split up. Our pediatrician referred my youngest for counseling.

Once in counseling, they told me to limit her clothes to four outfits. I cried. Dressing my kids was one of my favorite tasks. So I went through, putting most of clothes away in trash bags (it still hurts thinking about it). At the counselor’s advice, all her clothes we kept could be interchanged.

I was skeptical, but no longer did we battle. She could go and get clothes out and they looked ok no matter what. This was one of those simplifying life made a giant impact. Try it, you might like it too.

Reframe:

“Repeating decisions isn’t boring — it’s freeing.”

Overwhelmed Moms, Organize for the Season We are In

Step #5 Organize for the season

(Compassion-based organization)

What worked last year may not work now. Times change. Getting ready for school in the family room, soon needs to be a private situation as kids age.

Let our organization practice be fluid with time. The diaper organizer only lasts a short time. Prune what is no longer needed, making room for the new.

We have to ask ourselves:

“What do I realistically have capacity for right now?”

“What system fits this season?”

Key message:

“Organization should serve your life — not shame it.”

CONCLUSION: Systems Over Hustle

Overwhelmed Moms Organizing Choose Systems Over Hustle

Organizing isn’t about being a better mom, it’s about giving ourselves breathing room. I find getting organized cuts down on the overwhelm, giving a sense of preparedness for anything.

Small systems bring great relief. Try living by the principle that everything has a place and is in its place. See how much better we feel!

“You don’t need to do everything. You just need a few systems that work.”

Don’t get more overwhelmed with organizing (ha! – the irony). Choose one small space and one small action each day. First: make landing zones. Second: organize your time. Third: Decide what you are not doing. Fourth: Simplify Daily Decisions. Fifth: Organize for the season.

If you want help building simple systems that fit your real life, I share more of what’s helped me inside my community.

If you would like my simple guide to organizing, click the form below this post.

For more on this subject, check out this post.

Thanks for stopping by. Talk soon =)

-Jenn

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February 23, 2026

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