Dad’s Raising Neurodivergent Kids - what I know..
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Over the holidays and into this new year, I’ve been reaching out to introduce myself as a parent coach and share my plans for certification and outreach. The folks I know who are therapists and other caring professionals (I see you teachers, nurses, and coaches) have been so helpful in validating that this is the right path for me. It’s a big need, and I’m excited to lean in and help other dads.
Honestly, talking about myself is very challenging for me. I’ve been told on several occasions that I’m ‘too modest.’ I don’t like talking about myself all that much. I mean, I like talking—just not about me. But I have to, and this quote helped me realize my opportunity here:
“It is the light we shine that makes the path for others.”
I’m sure going to try.
I have a lot to learn, but here’s what I know so far:
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Dads who are struggling don’t have a pressure valve. Our self-care was probably in the gutter even before parenting struggles, and it’s even harder to add it back in now.
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Stressed dads create ‘habits’ and ‘rituals’ that aren’t exactly healthy. No judgment—we’re all a work in progress.
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You feel guilty that you aren’t ‘good at this.’ Join the club, but it doesn’t have to always be that way.
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The worry you have for your kids is all-consuming. This is something people don’t fully understand unless they’re living it.
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So many of the parenting materials, training, and books make you want to stab your eyes out. It’s not always the content—it’s the presentation.
Good News: There’s a Better Way
I already have a jumpstart on turning this ship around. My approach is to help dads find connection and a peaceful way forward. This mindset has been a game-changer for me as I navigate all the facets of being a dad with some unplanned challenges. I’m calling this approach Parent-Dad-Coach.
The Three Heroes of Parenting
Being a dad isn’t just one thing. It’s a lot of things, but we can break it up into three “Hero” roles:
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Parent Hero – Finding a better way for you to navigate this complicated world.
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Dad Hero – Building connection, community, and fun to parenting no matter the challenge.
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Coach Hero – Talking to yourself with kindness, communicating with your family, and feeding the good.
My hope is to help dads make the most of where they are on their journey, see a positive way forward, and embrace the gift in front of us.
About Parenting Materials (a.k.a. Why They’re All Crap)
A big part of the frustration with parenting resources is how they’re presented. I spent 30 years in branding, communications, and marketing for some fancy global companies. One of the skills I fine-tuned over those years was taking complex messaging and simplifying, streamlining, redesigning, and re-creating it so it actually had impact. That’s the approach I’m bringing to Parent-Dad-Coach.
What’s Next
I can’t wait to get started. Stay tuned for updates on the Parent-Dad-Coach path. There’s a better way forward, and I’m here to help light the way. Let’s do this together.
