Hey lovelies,
Let’s be honest, being a SEND parent isn’t just a full-time job; it’s an all-consuming, heart-stretching, sleep-deprived, love-fueled mission that never really switches off. We live in a constant state of high alert, scanning for danger, meltdowns, triggers, appointments, phone calls, emails, and those dreaded “we need to talk” school meetings.
We’re always on.
We fight every battle for our child - EHCPs, therapies, medical forms, school systems that don’t always understand. We become their voice, their advocate, their safe place. And while we’re busy making sure everyone else is okay, we forget about the one person who’s running on empty… us.
Many of us live in fight-or-flight mode. Our nervous system never gets the memo that it’s safe to rest. We tiptoe around aggressive outbursts, referee sibling conflicts, manage sensory overloads, and still somehow try to keep the house standing and our relationships intact. We give everything to our children… our time, our energy, our patience, our sanity, because we love them more than words can ever describe.
And the truth is… we get lost.
We stop recognising ourselves outside of the caring role.
We justify our child’s behaviour to the world, over and over, until our own needs feel like they don’t even count.
But they do.
You do.
You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you deserve to refill yours, not out of luxury, but out of necessity. Because when you’re calmer, centred, and a little more grounded, your whole family feels it too.
Many of us don’t even realise how drained we are until the exhaustion turns physical, headaches, muscle tension, brain fog, anxiety, or feeling snappy and numb at the same time. Our nervous systems weren’t built to run on survival mode forever, but that’s where most SEND parents live.
So, how do we begin to refill our cups when life doesn’t slow down?
Here are some gentle, realistic self-care tips that fit into the chaos:
🌿 1. Micro Moments Matter
You don’t need a spa weekend - you need 60 seconds of stillness. Close your eyes. Drop your shoulders. Breathe in for four counts and out for six. Repeat this whenever the world feels too loud. Small moments of regulation add up.
🕯 2. Create a Calm Corner
Have a space, even a tiny one that’s yours. A chair by the window, a shelf with your favourite crystal, candle, or oil blend. A space that signals safety to your nervous system. When life gets heavy, grounding yourself there reminds your body it’s safe.
💗 3. Set Tiny Boundaries
It’s okay to say, “Not right now.” You’re allowed to pause a conversation, let the washing wait, or skip a call. Protecting your energy isn’t selfish; it’s essential to survive the long game.
🌙 4. Reconnect With You
You’re more than a parent, carer, or advocate, you’re still you. The person who loves music, nature, laughter, or just five minutes of peace. Reconnect with that part of you whenever you can.
✨ 5. Let Help In
We’re so used to being the helpers that asking for support feels alien. But you deserve care too. Whether that’s a friend, a professional, or something small that helps you breathe easier… take it.
And this is why I started creating my Holistic Self-Care Kits little boxes of calm, care, and hope for when you’re hanging by a thread. Each one is designed with you in mind, because I’ve been there. I am there. The sleepless nights, the guilt, the overwhelm, the constant fight to be heard, I get it.
So if you’re feeling like you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way, this is your nudge to pause.
Light that candle. Roll on that blend. Let yourself exhale.
Because you are doing the impossible every single day - and you deserve care, comfort, and calm too.
💗 Take that breath.
💗 Light that candle.
💗 Roll on that blend.
💗 Let yourself exhale.
Because you’re not just surviving, you’re doing the impossible every single day. And that deserves a little rescue.
✨ Explore the kits that were made for you, by someone who truly understands: click here
0 comments