232. Real Love in the Real Hard: Parenting Through the Struggles
May 29, 2025Loving our autistic children through their struggles isn’t always simple, and it’s definitely not always easy. In this heartfelt episode, Shannon opens up about the complex emotions many parents face when their child can’t or doesn’t express love in typical ways.
Maybe your child doesn’t say “I love you.” Maybe they don’t come to you for comfort or push you away during meltdowns. Maybe you’ve quietly wondered, "Why does this feel so one-sided?" or "Am I the only one who feels this way?"
You are not alone.
As summer begins — a time that can feel overwhelming for families like ours — this episode is a soft place to land. It offers you an alternative perspective for those long, unstructured days when everything feels harder than it should. Come back to it whenever you need a reminder that you’re not alone, and your love still matters — more than you know.
You’ll hear stories, strategies, and compassionate insights about what it means to love your child through their hardest moments — not despite them. You’ll learn why their love may look different (but is still real), why grief and love can exist side by side, and how to hold space for both hope and heartache on this unexpected parenting journey.
And don’t forget — next week kicks off our BEST OF Summer Series! We’ll be spotlighting some of our most downloaded episodes to make sure you haven’t missed any favorites. With over 230 episodes, there’s so much to take in, and what didn’t apply when it aired might be exactly what you need today. Be sure to scroll through and find the episodes that speak to where you are now. We’ll be back with brand new episodes later this summer!
🌟 Leave a Review:
If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection.
P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our Not Your Average Autism Mom private membership.
Access exclusive support, training, and resources to save you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands.
Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be! https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/
Additional Resources:
Join The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement group on FB
If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us directly at [email protected]
Have you listened to these episodes yet?
