Does it ever feel like your baby is pushing you away or resisting your attempts to soothe them? Have you ever been surprised by feeling bored during early infancy, and pressured to find things to stimulate or entertain your little one? What if connection doesn’t come from knowing everything or doing more…but from actually slowing down and getting to know the little human in front of you?

Do you ever look at your teenager and think…Who is this person, and what did they do with my child? The sweet, chatty kid who once told you everything, is now moody, private, and somehow irritated by the way you breathe. You’re left wondering what happened— and whether you missed something. Welcome to the teenage years.

Lately, my Instagram feed has been filled with memes illustrating the exhaustion that many mothers feel during the holiday season. It’s true that as moms, we often carry a heavier mental load this time of year. We juggle everything from planning holiday gatherings and staying on top of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to decorating the tree, baking holiday cookies, and ensuring our elf finds a new landing spot each morning after his overnight trip to the North Pole.

Embarking on the journey of special needs parenting can feel like you are entering a new world—one filled with complex emotions, new routines, and many unknowns. Many parents feel overwhelmed or helpless, or both. Whether you’ve recently received a diagnosis for your child or you’ve been on the journey for some time, know that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do this without support.