Chrissy Pettys
As each of my kids came along with their own unique set of challenges, I found myself doubting my parenting ability. I put on a brave face, often feeling like a failure and not good enough. We were dealing with a lot and I was very unprepared. I went to various doctors and therapists, specialists and groups. I tried so hard to make sure my kids had what they needed. What I didn’t do much of was find someone for me and my own stuff. For the kind of challenges I was facing as the caregiver to three kids with some pretty hard things. In our house, I had kids with ADHD, hypersensitivity disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, borderline personality disorder and more.
Then I was invited to a a group started for parents with non-neurotypical kids. I quickly joined. For the first time in 22 years, I felt seen. I had found a place that I didn’t want to hide our version of life; the hard stuff and the not so pretty things that went on at home. I was not alone. It was like a huge weight lifted from me. I had finally found a group of caregivers of kids of all ages who needed to look at parenting in vastly different ways, and that was okay.
I wanted to be part of launching Parent Hearts because I know what it is to need a place to be honest, open, and find connection; to gain the encouragement and inspiration to go back to life with a renewed energy. I hope you find that here. A connection that lets you know you are not alone.