Parenting Differently: Navigating Life with Two Neurodivergent Children

From the moment I became a parent, I knew my journey wouldn’t follow the typical script. As the parent of two neurodivergent children, my experience has been filled with moments of profound joy, heartache, fierce advocacy, and a constant reimagining of what it means to raise a family in a society that doesn’t always make space for difference. What I didn’t anticipate was just how isolating it can be. The emotional, physical, and mental toll of constantly advocating for your children—while trying to find your own footing as a parent—can be utterly exhausting. And yet, we rarely talk about it. Too many families are quietly burning out, left without the support, understanding, or resources they need. We’re expected to do it all, often in silence. I’ve chosen to be open and honest about my parenting struggles, not because it’s easy—but because I know there are so many others out there feeling the same way. When support systems are lacking, when school funding is cut, and when EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) become harder to secure, families like mine are left to fight even harder just to get our children the basic right to an education that fits their needs. I am not just a parent—I’m an advocate. I believe passionately that neurodivergent children deserve environments where they can thrive, not just survive. Environments that celebrate who they are, not ones that try to make them fit into a mould they were never meant for. Life with my children is never dull. It’s vibrant, unpredictable, challenging, and endlessly loving. My heart overflows with pride for them—their creativity, their insight, their depth. But let’s be honest: it’s also tough. It's tough pushing back against societal expectations. It's tough brushing off the judgment from people who don’t understand. And it’s tough knowing that, too often, the systems meant to support our children end up failing them instead. Still, I wouldn't change my children for the world. What I would change is the world for my children. They are not a burden. They are not broken. They are not a problem to be solved. They are incredible, unique individuals who bring value, perspective, and light into this world. Neurodivergent children are not an encumbrance on society—they are an asset. I’ll keep speaking up. I’ll keep sharing our story. Because every time we bring these truths into the open, we push a little harder against the silence. And maybe, just maybe, we make it easier for the next family walking this path.