Today is World Autism Awareness Day. This day always reminds me of how much growth I’ve experienced in the past few years. I never thought I would open up about my son’s diagnosis — and I sure as hell never thought I would be writing about my journey on the internet!
But, when he was initially diagnosed I struggled with it so much. It made me feel like such a bad, unprepared, unaware, incapable mom. It drove me to denial and grief, but I can honestly say now that it’s made me a better mother. I can’t go back and tell myself to let go of those feelings of inadequacy and shame, so I’m hopeful that my story will reach another mom who could hear those words now.
I’ve written about this for Motherly and I would love if you could read and share it with a mother who could use the reminder that not all of the feelings surrounding motherhood are joyful ones. That grief goes beyond loss, and sometimes denial is necessary to keep ourselves safe.
