In this episode of Thrive Underwater, Shani and Autumn discuss the challenges facing parents of autistic children during summer break. Even though summer is such a fun time for everyone, the truth is our mental health can take a back seat. Shani and Autumn have a conversation about Caregiver Burnout. Though there are many areas where burnout can creep in, these are the 5 discussed in this episode: Lack of ResourcesLack of AutonomyCreativity Brain BurnoutTravelMental Load BUT, as always, they don’t leave you without some handy tools! Here are the tools discussed: Setting your intention for the dayLowering expectationsCreating a creativity cheatsheetCarving out some “me” timeYOU ARE NOT ALONE! Thrive Underwater will return in August for more great mental health validation and tools for our fabulous group of parents! Happy Summer! DON’T Forget to SIGN-UP for our THRIVE UNDERWATER newsletter for the FREE Thrive the Summer printables at our website:   www.thriveunderwater.com RESOURCES: SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox WEB MD Article on Burnout: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/caregiver-recognizing-burnout THRIVE UNDERWATER/HOLIDAY HITLIST Season 1/ Episode 4: https://www.thriveunderwater.com/holiday-hit-list-episode-4/ Insight Timer Meditation App – https://insighttimer.com/ Kritin Neff- https://self-compassion.org/ Email:  thrive@thriveunderwater.com Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-underwater/id1589805568 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pd40WJSWGXMPSKu2IA0Hi Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thriveunderwater/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity Keep on Thriving!

Thrive Underwater presents Season 2, Episode 3, an interview with Steve Calvert, the father of an autistic son.

Imposter Syndrome happens to the best of us. What if others find out we are not perfect parents?  Though imposter syndrome is not a diagnosable mental health issue, if gone unchecked, it can become a bigger issue. SO…how do we catch imposter syndrome before it gets too out of hand? Be aware of the following: Inability to realistically assess your skillsTaking the credit or blame for your child’s behaviorBerating your performance/Self-doubtOverachievingSetting Challenging or unreachable goals and feeling disappointed when you fail. As always, we give a list of tools to help kick imposter syndrome to the curb! Skit for this Episode: The Imposter Zone Resources: American Psychological Association : https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud Very Well Mind:  https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469 Insight Timer Meditation App - https://insighttimer.com/ Kritin Neff- https://self-compassion.org/ Website: www.thriveunderwater.com  Email:  thrive@thriveunderwater.com Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-underwater/id1589805568 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pd40WJSWGXMPSKu2IA0Hi Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thriveunderwater/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity Keep on Thriving!

New Year’s Resolutions suck. At first, your dreams are so inspiring and exciting, but quickly, reality slaps you in the face. In this episode, we talk all about strategies to keep those resolutions AND your shit together! Before we can tackle the “how-to,” we must dial in on why we quit in the first place.   There are 5 reasons (or excuses) we use for throwing in the towel. Our expectations are too highConfidence (or Competence)InterruptionsMental LoadMotivation We don’t leave you hanging! We offer some great tools for overcoming these hurdles! Skit for this Episode: The Inside STD Resources: Huberman Lab Podcast: The Science of Setting and Achieving Goals- https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-setting-and-achieving-goals/ The Science of Making and Breaking Habits- https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/ Insight Timer Meditation App - https://insighttimer.com/ Kritin Neff- https://self-compassion.org/ Porodomo Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique Thrive Underwater, “F**k It Bucket” Episode- https://www.thriveunderwater.com/fu-it-bucket-episode-5/ Website: www.thriveunderwater.com  Email:  thrive@thriveunderwater.com Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-underwater/id1589805568 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pd40WJSWGXMPSKu2IA0Hi Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thriveunderwater/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity Keep on Thriving!

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   https://www.thehotline.org/  Relationships are hard in the best of circumstances. For parents of autistic children, it can be especially difficult. We know, and that is why we are talking ALL about it. We break down 6 areas where relationships can derail: Attachment Styles Money Sex/Alone Time Parenting Styles Running a Household Friendships Skit for this Episode: OUT OF THE BLUE- Real Romance Resources: ATTACHED - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9547888-attached                      7 PRINCIPLES OF MAKING MARRIAGE WORK - https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0609805797                      HOLD ME TIGHT - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2153780.Hold_Me_Tight Insight Timer Meditation App - https://insighttimer.com/ Website: www.thriveunderwater.com  Email:  thrive@thriveunderwater.com Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-underwater/id1589805568 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pd40WJSWGXMPSKu2IA0Hi Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thriveunderwater/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity Keep on Thriving!

STRONG CONTENT WARNING! Listen. There is way too much going on in our lives to give a F*** about everything. We know. That’s why in this episode, we are exploring what we, as parents of autistic children, regularly throw into our F*** it Buckets. It is essential for our mental health we prioritize! We only have so much energy in a day, and our mental health depends on us taking action! We also discuss how the Spoon theory and our F*** IT Bucket are a match made in heaven! Skit for this Episode: The Society Sisters Resources: Spoon Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory Cussing Meditation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnh9NmU_oKc Handwriting Benefits - https://vanillapapers.net/2019/07/29/9-powerful-benefits-writing-by-hand/ 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Countdown - https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-4-3-2-1-countdown-to-make-anxiety-blast-off Insight Timer Meditation App - https://insighttimer.com/ Website: www.thriveunderwater.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thriveunderwater/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity Keep on Thriving!

In this episode of Thrive Underwater, Shani and Autumn discuss how the holidays can upend our children and how this can be a hefty mental load for us. They discuss the holiday "PAIN": Preparation, Adventure, Ignorance, and Nest Unrest. They also discuss tools that can help support our mental health during the holiday pain. Changing expectations is a great place to start! Maybe enlist an advocate at the family gathering or party? Understanding that rituals are a powerful part of being human can help us navigate these waters. Creating rituals that fit our family can be liberating and fun for everyone! Don't forget to find a moment to enjoy your hot chocolate, throw on some fuzzy slippers, and enjoy just being you! Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Keep on Thriving!

In this episode of Thrive Underwater, Shani and Autumn discuss the challenges parents of autistic children face with work/ life balance...or just life balance in general. And, this podcast isn't just for those with full-time jobs! Stay-at-home parenting and trying to balance life presents its own set of challenges! Learning to listen and to identify your needs is the first step in the process of balancing life! Mindfulness is a great tool for this! Plus, it is time to fire the inner drill sargeant! For more information about Mindfulness, here are some handy tools for the TOOLBOX! Insight Timer Meditation App: https://insighttimer.com/ Tara Brach for Mindfulness and Meditation: https://www.tarabrach.com/ Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion Expert: https://self-compassion.org/ And check out our Facebook Group! : https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveunderwatercommunity If you want to reach out to us about a show topic, please email at: thrive@thriveunderwater.com And, as always, please rate and subscribe to our show! Thanks for listening! See ya on the flipside!

We all do it. We compare. We compare ourselves to what we think we should be, to others, and even...ugh...our kids to other kids. Comparison isn't always a bad thing! We can use this technique for evaluation, and with the right mindset, it will lead to a better world for us and for others. The sharp side of the knife is when the end goal isn't for growth. In this episode, Shani and Autumn talk about comparison. It is a natural occurance because of our brains. It doesn't mean we are bad. It means we are human! The problem with comparison is it can lead to us feeling bad about ourselves and others. It is a trap, and we can get caught in it. It is important to remember comparison is a normal reaction in our brain! TOOLBOX Gratitude. Do it when you can, however you can. It doesn't have to be a journal...though it can be! And, if you cannot think of anything you are grateful for, try Shani's method: One grateful that is LOCAL, one grateful that is GLOBAL, one grateful that is PERSONAL.MANTRAS- Pick an easy mantra you can remember when you feel yourself being pulled into a loop. For instance, "I am enough," or "Social Media is not real life."DEEP BREATHING

In this episode, Shani and Autumn discuss how parenting an autistic child is different from parenting typical children. They talk about the psychological reasons parents of autistic children want this information known, and they provide tools to help parents maintain a healthy mind.