I fell into a hole, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I got referred to a psychiatrist, who taught me the lightbulb moment of “I had forgotten myself”, and the importance of self-care, Me-Time, and finding something to do that was meaningful for myself, that was for me. Yes, I had two out of three boys diagnosed with autism, they will always have autism, but I have to let them move forward in their lives, just like I have to move forward in my life. So, working was out of the question, with two lots of therapies, paediatrician visits, a lot of full-on high needs attention when they get home from their special disability school at 3pm... so, I’ve gone back to university, online, part time, for those school hours just to be devoted to me and my interests. I’m basically re-designing My life, so that I can be there for them, and do something meaningful for myself. So, my message of the day is: we learn how to care for our kids, but we don’t learn how to care for ourselves, and sometimes we need some professional “prodding”. Go see a therapist, for those struggling with life. It helped me turn around, and enjoy my boys more, enjoy life more.

As a fulltime Stay at home mother to a non-verbal autustic 4 year old... i needed to see this. Thank you & Bless you 💕

Love this video Tara! You’re helping so many people with your channel! As your Mama, I’m so proud of you! ❤️❤️❤️

I was crying through this entire video. Thank you, this help so much with my mental state right now. Many blessings🙏🏽

My son was just recently diagnosed this past November.. You're channel has help my family immensely with accepting this diagnosis 💖

I had a rough few nights with my 3 yr. old and couldn't help but cry when I heard you say "its okay to cry". I'm constantly trying to hold it in because I don't want to admit or for him to see how much it breaks me down sometimes. Thanks for posting ❤

Hey. I have three kids with special needs, including twin 5-year-olds, one with autism and one...we haven't figured him out yet. I haven't scream-cried alone in my car in almost a week. That's pretty good for me. Thank you for saying "It will be okay." It helps to hear that.

My son was diagnosed October and I’ve had such a hard time , I’m still grieving I feel and your channel has helped me so much thank you !

You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your advice and wisdom.

So honest and so sweet. God bless you.

I love you Tara for making these videos.

Thank you for this! Just want to say thank you and loved this !

I am really thankful of your video. This really deeply hits me.

This means so much....thanks for taking the time and say the exact words I need to hear from time to time

Thank you for sharing this video! I feel the same , having this challenges with my son also is not easy...through your videos im learning a lot! Self care is essential so i can take care of my family as well and be the best mom for them

Tara . Me too im an autism mom struggling between working part time and being autism mom to an amazing boy . Just want to say thank you and i love you! And thanks for being here !!

This is so relatable. I love this video, very uplifting and positive, thank you xxx

Thank you sooooo much for this video!!! This helped me so much!!! U are amazing 💖

Thank you so much. Your videos help so much. I agree about the crying, I cry a lot more now & it does help.

Yet another wonderful video, I will listen to that meditation for sure .

Thank you so much for creating this channel. I am an autism mom as well and it is so wonderful to know that I’m we’re not alone. It’s been a journey with lots of ups and downs and as hard as it may be sometimes, I wouldn’t change a single hair on his head. Thank you and your lovely little family for sharing all of your battles and victories. ❤️❤️

Thank you for sharing! :) it’s so good to hear that! Thank you for being honest

Love this video. Helped me so much . There’s not a day where I don’t come back and replay one of your videos . I think I’ve watched this video 50 times now

I am beyond grateful I stumbled across your channel. This video hit me hard. I sometimes find myself crying and Feeling defeated at times, and I feel so bad taking a mommy break. Because I also feel overwhelmed with all the love my little boy asks from me as well. He has taught me so much and I am still learning. Thank you for sharing with us. 🙏 I look forward to your next video 🥰

My brother was diagnosed with Autism around last December. I am trying to learn as much as I can about it so I can help him get better and also to know how to treat him better. Your channel has helped me immensely. Especially this video. :')❤

I soooo needed this today! Thank you

Thank you for sharing ❤️

Thank you so much for sharing. This is so inspiring. I have a 9 yr old daughter with Autism and adhd and some days I feel so unbelievably overwhelmed and down! But this has helped a lot. To see others who know what I’m going through and who handle it well is giving me hope! Thank you for your channel, it’s really a blessing. Ps I’m also a new subscriber 😃❤️

Thanks soooooo much for your transparency, honesty, unembarrasedly truth🙏🏽. My boy is 18, and I would have felt less alone if your vlogs were around when he was younger. Amen to this video, I am just now taking up self care routines after years of erasing my needs for the family.s needs. I’m an American mom raising Franco-American son in Paris, who was diagnosed at 15....😥! Your vlogs in English are my safe havens. If you visit Paris with Dylan, let me know! Hugs to you, T!

Thank you Tara. I often cry while watching your videos. In a similar situation. I’m in Canada and suddenly feel like have found a friend that’s helping me out. Thank you again for everything you share here 💜

Great subject to cover, thanks for sharing. I look forward to the meditation 😍

Your videos really help me de- stress from d everyday challenges. Thank you .

so helpful your video thank you so much for sharing xx I am struggling at the moment my little has autism & cerebral palsy and this video has helped me a lot thank you xx

Looking forward to the meditation audio! Much love and thank you, some days your channel is the only support I get.

Our son was diagnosed at 18 months and got his therapies a month later because my wife was so persistent and driven! He is thriving and amazes us everyday, whether its a rough day or the best day. Thank u so much for your videos and your experience.

Thank you so much for this video 💗

This video was posted some time ago but has been a huge relief for me. I felt like I was struggling alone. I’m a single mom and my son is 3 and severely autistic. He’s so lovely and loving but the outbursts and frustration have me next to tears almost every day.

I needed this soo much today, its been hard during this pandemic. Thank you so much for opening up.

Hey,, just to say I've learned so much from you, just by watching your video. Aye, I sense a very close and loving bond you have with Dylan and that you will not change Dylan for the world and who can blame you for that? And that Dylan, too, loves you very much indeed in return, and again who can blame Dylan for that too! You are one incredibly amazing devoted mum! PTGL Amen Amen!

Ur amazing... Thanku for ur channel x

I just ran through your channel and I am so happy to see other people go through my same day routine and your tips are spot on thank you from Africa Libya

I love your videos. Thank you for sharing so much. It really helps moms that are desperately trying to find someone to relate to. My favorite thing about technology.

Yaaaaay meditation from you!!! Thank you.

"I wouldn't change him" omg my tears went out like a river.

Thank you very much for this video

I can’t believe I was reminded of this video today after 3 years. I needed it.I’m finally going away by myself next Sunday for a week! I’m so nervous but excited too! So glad to watch this video again and at this time! ❤

Your channel helped me a lot thank you my son is 4 years old was diagnosed with Adhd and autism

Cried through the video, thank u... it will all be okay..❤️

I'm a mom of a 3 year old little boy on the spectrum. THANK YOU for sharing your journey. your videos inspire me and give me hope. sending all of our love.♥️

Wow you are amazing .. thank you for sharing this video. It has help me to destress in some extend.

your videos help so much 💜

You are such an inspiration for me, I needed this video so much. I need to find time for myself, I have my husband but We don’t have family around to help. We are from Venezuela and we live in the UK. We find hard to find time for us as a couple or just time for me. I will take your advice and plan a holiday for myself which is quite hard as you said we just think of our little one. But I have to try your advice and repeat to myself “he is going to be okay”. I will try to find information about respite as that will really help us. Thank you again. :)

I can totally relate to your comment about the constant contact being a bit suffocating.

It is true that we should have some friends who are on the same page as we are but as for me I live in Finland and my son was recently diagnosed and it felt like my whole life changed. I don’t know anyone who is in Finland who has an autistic child that I can chat with. But I found this channel and another channel called live on purposes tv on KZfaq and these channel really helped me to cope with the stress and anxiety that I was having. Am very thankful that I found them .

Your amazing I am also an autism mum and I get so upset when people judge my son or say such negative things your doing a great job 👏

Thanks!

I work with people that have autism and a lot of this is very relatable. Again.. Thank you for making these video's

Yes I feel you. I get this feeling of being overwhelmed especially being a single mom, then I see him and find the strength to carry on with love.

I can relate, my daughter is Autistic she’s 7 years old💕 Thank you, this was good and helpful😊

Thank you 😊 xx

Thank you ❤️

Your videos helping alot ❤ I have son 4 years old our journey just started 🌱

Thank you for sharing. ❤️ All of these things I have been struggling with. My husband is in the US Army and deployed and my 6 year old with Autism has been struggling, who am I kidding, I am struggling. But love your videos and you are an inspiration. Thank you, I feel hopeful.

This has made me feel so much better, there has been times when iv had those thoughts about normal kids and then sent myself on a massive guilt trip for it.

Tara you are a wonderfully therapeutic presence, thank you so much for sharing your journey and your story. Your candidness and down to earth approach is so inspiring to so many people. I'm a person on the spectrum working to become a speech therapist, and I'm excited to work with parents like you and refer new parents of children with autism to your channel! It's such an amazing resource, you're on the directory of videos I refer people to all the time!

God bless you and your family than you for sharing

I've also shouted "why can't you be like a normal kid"!! big deep breathe - I love tuning in and these really help me xx

When i want to relax i watch your videos.. Thanks again.. From Greece..

This helped me a lot, it is going to be okay 🥰

You are amazing mom. I love your channel.

God bless you. Nice to watch. How did they recognize parents?

My son wouldn’t wear wellies and coat at some point and we also live in England🙈 I am thankful we are over it 😊 I think part of why I love your videos is that I actually find your voice very soothing and calming so I am looking forward to the meditation video. Take care Xx

I am so looking forward to listen to you at night. Who needs Matthew? 🤗 You are amazing ✨💗✨

We rock

You are soooooo lucky that you can have a break. I have to be with my son 24/7 of whole year. No holiday, no break up😥

My daughter has been diagnosed aged 7 as a level 1 autistic 18 months ago. 9 months after our move to the Netherlands. We are currently home schooling which is not fun; many meltdowns. I am reading this after just being kicked by my daughter on purpose going into melt down. I fully agree with what your saying in this video. thanks

I always say these same thing to my Jack "I adore you". He's 4 and was diagnosed in January. As difficult as he can be, he's perfectly himself and I would never change him either. ❤❤❤❤

Hi Tara, I think I’ve only commented once before on Dylan’s birthday video (how was his big day? I hope he had fun 🙂) my son’s gonna 5 in June and we are waiting for an assessment for ASD. The school psychologist thinks he might be on the spectrum. Yusuf always exhibited some signs but to my limited knowledge at the time he was under 2 I never thought they were something alarming, I always thought every child is unique and that’s his way. Of course being an only child and not having another one to compare him to was another reason maybe.. anyway I just wanted to say thank you to you and your lovely family 💞 it helps a lot seeing you and how you approach things. And yes I agree with you our little ones are amazing just the way they are. I know you have a lot on your plate already but it would be great if there’s a Facebook group page for your followers, this way we could make an online community and share our experiences and support each other too.

My mom has a difficult time with me, so I feel so guilty for her exhaustion

It's a daily struggle. You won't get it right everyday or even every hour. Cry, make mistakes, apologize. Take time alone whenever you can It's necessary parents. It's natural to say why, and I wish I wish but you are where you are your child will always be what they are. Hard to accept, letting go of what is normal and acceptable and routine and perfect and what a child should be doing is A REQUIREMENT❤ and keeping up with people that understand and can relate is vital and keeps the disappointment at bay. One minute at a time❤ we will be okay and our children will be too✨️

I needed this today. I feel defeated with my non verbal son everyday

Best video

I have no support system I'm overwhelmed his energy levels r the highest I've ever seen and he doesn't listen to me even though he knows better

Thank u for sharing u

It's so had for me, I have cardiomyopathy only 25 to 30% of my heart work, my son just got diagnosed with the spectrum I was devastated 😭 even though I'm married I don't have any help, I try to hide my feeling they say ask for help but anytime I do is a issue so I do everything by my self. Only with the strength of God I get through everything.

Thank you for sharing 😊. I just wanted to ask, what techniques do you use with Dylan for regulating his emotions? Things seem so hard right now. Everything with Dylan is a meltdown, triggers huge anxiety. Even his safe and familiar places are triggering these responses. His aggression has increased and it just feels we can’t do anything or go anywhere anymore with him or as a family. He frustrates me so much and I get so cross with him. I get cross with autism, SPD and PDA. My partner and I are arguing all the time, always frustrated with each other. It’s just a mess x

Smashing this whole parenting thing out of the water.

Hi Tara Great video like always ❤️ Where in uk do you live I’m from uk aswell

I understand the shoe thing, my little girl wore shoes until one day when she was about 5 she just refused and had a complete meltdown if you put any shoes anywhere near her. It took us a year of OT and de-sensitisation to finally get her to wear a pair of shoes. We still have no idea why and probably never will as she still doesn't communicate.

Hey what age was Dylan diagnosed with autism ? Love watching your videos . My son is currently having tests xxx

I am a dad and I suspect that my child has autism. I love him so so much. He is turning 2 in December. I'm honestly worried and overwhelmed. I just want to say that your videos have been a great help. Thank you!

Hi I’m a new Subscriber and I love your videos I found your videos a Couple of days ago my name is called Calley I have autism I’m 15 I understand what you’re going through how I have a few questions for you is What kind of ASD does Dylan have how do his siblings deal with sensory overload and meltdowns can’t wait for more videos to come from you

How do you get your autistic child to do things like clean his room? Or do his homework? How do you know what you need to “make” him do?

Can you do vedio on speech

Hi I am very new to your channel but instantly inspired by feeling your warm acceptance of every dimension of the spectrum and how get to go next of the child life and our private time to deal with emotions my hearty thanks and hugs I feel good happy if I get your mail id want to discuss something about potty training with my 5 year old girl on the spectrum

Will you by chance be writing another book as we follow the adventures and continuing evolution of your family? Of you as a parent? Of Dylan as he grows older?

🥰

I live in Berkshire and they refuse to make a referral for respite care my son is diagnosed autistic and 3 years old

So funny about the shoes, just like my boy. //CarinaSchembri//SWEDEN

As a single mom to non verbale. I break down every other day. Its scary to be alone. Sometimes it scares me.. what if something happens to me... he cant even call for help. He would literaly die of hunger.