Camping- anywhere in the desert or along a lake where we are the other people around! A mix of family time and solo spouse time spent outside.

Acknowledgment and validation of how their feeling or the circumstance, holding boundaries (if necessary) and co-regulating with deep breathing and deep pressure squishes or hugs (OT recommended).

1. How to help them through social situations. My son is 6, but mentally 12. He doesn’t seem to see anything when he looks at someone from 2-16 other than “friend.” It’s so sweet but has also caused him a good amount of embarrassment and hurt. I don’t know how to explain “friend” and why things don’t work out. I also hate stepping in when I feel it’s necessary to help. At the end of the day I just want him to have resilient and grit, on top of being happy of course, but how do you build those if you don’t grasp what will/wont work. Like how to know that not everyone is a friend and who is better to try to play with.

I think it’s hard all over the board with kids under 6 knowing bedtime is coming. Our neurodivergent son seems to take it as a threat some times and go into fight or flight. I will say not doing any electronics as close to 2 hours prior has really made a different and implementing a sensory diet specific for bedtime helps.

Trying to be consistent with bedtime. Especially because our camper beds are canvas and let ALL the light through. You have to tire him out enough to regulate but not too much to overstimulate in order to sleep! It’s exhausting, but worth it!