Don’t dim your light my love, the world can wear shades! A hard look at the complexities of walking the tight rope, coaching your child to be unapologetically themselves and behaving in a way that is socially acceptable!
It’s been a while since I was a preteen, but the pain of that time resurfaced yesterday when my daughter’s words echoed the experiences of my 11-year-old self. Being a preteen is challenging for anyone, but for a neurodivergent girl, it adds a unique layer of difficulty. Her heartfelt expression broke my adult heart and awakened the little girl I used to be. She said, "When I try to be myself, everyone tells me I’m being extra. They say I’m doing too much; they tell me to calm down. When I’m calm and focused, they ask me what’s wrong. I’m never who they want me to be." How do you explain to an 11-year-old that the world may not be ready for her vibrant light? I’m amazed she can articulate this, as those feelings were once mine, but I couldn’t communicate them. The struggle to manage our identities to fit societal norms can make us forget who we truly are. We may feel like a collection of masks, wearing different versions of ourselves based on what’s needed daily. How do you