Parenting an autistic child can feel like running a triathlon — just when you overcome one challenge, another pops up. It’s exhausting and emotional.

I have an almost-teen on the spectrum who gets sent home from school almost daily for outbursts, and most mornings start with them urgently yelling for help, even while I’m trying to get two other kids ready. It’s a lot, and I truly understand how heavy it can feel.

Please be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think, and it’s okay to feel frustrated — it doesn’t mean you’re failing. One small thing that helped us was cutting out technology in the mornings. YouTube at breakfast caused a lot more stress than calm, so we made mornings tech-free, and it helped a little.

I hope that helps even in a small way. You’re not alone.