[Learn how to follow your intuition as a mom of a special needs child with practical tips and insights. Discover how to trust your inner voice, practice self care, and confidently advocate for your child’s unique needs.]
Trusting Your Gut as a Mom of a Special Needs Child
Being a mother is a journey filled with decisions, challenges, and uncertainties—especially when your child has special needs. In these moments, your intuition often becomes your most valuable tool.
But with external pressures and expert opinions, it can be difficult to confidently rely on that inner voice. In this beautiful conversation on the Soul Care Mom Podcast with Susanna Peace Lovell, a mom and advocate for disability families, she shares her experiences and how following her intuition has been critical in raising her daughter.
Get ready to discover the importance of trusting yourself as a special needs parent and provides actionable strategies for connecting with your intuition.
You can also listen on iTunes, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
[Disclaimer: The information shared is from personal experiences and/or research. We’re not medical professionals. We share in hopes that it will help you tap into new insights and inspire you. Everything shared is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a trusted health professional for your unique journey.]
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The Power of Intuition in Parenting a Special Needs Child
Susanna Peace Lovell is the mother of Arizona, her 18-year-old daughter who has multiple disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and severe food allergies. From the early stages of Arizona’s development, Susanna faced doubts from professionals who dismissed her concerns. However, her inner knowing told her that something was different about her daughter. This intuition led her to continue advocating for Arizona, even when others told her to “relax” or “wait and see.”
Why Intuition Matters:
As a mom, especially to a child with special needs, your intuition serves as a guiding force when medical professionals, educators, and others might not fully understand your child’s unique needs. Susanna’s experience highlights the importance of tuning into that inner voice, as it often provides insights others might overlook. Trusting your instincts allows you to advocate more effectively and make the right decisions for your child.
How to Strengthen Your Intuition as a Special Needs Mom
Practice Daily Self-Reflection
Susanna encourages moms to check in with themselves regularly. She often asks herself, “What do I feel is right for my child in this moment?” By creating space for self-reflection, you can more clearly hear your intuition. An Invitation for Daily Reflection:
- Set aside time each day, whether during a quiet morning or before bed, to sit with your thoughts.
- Ask yourself open-ended questions: “What does my gut say about this situation?” or “What does my child need today?”
- Journaling can be a great way to create space to explore your thoughts and notice patterns in your intuitive feelings over time.
Practice Daily Self-Reflection
Susanna encourages moms to check in with themselves regularly. She often asks herself, “What do I feel is right for my child in this moment?” By creating space for self-reflection, you can more clearly hear your intuition. An Invitation for Daily Reflection:
- Set aside time each day, whether during a quiet morning or before bed, to sit with your thoughts.
- Ask yourself open-ended questions: “What does my gut say about this situation?” or “What does my child need today?”
- Journaling can be a great way to create space to explore your thoughts and notice patterns in your intuitive feelings over time.
Listen to Your Child
While doctors and specialists may provide valuable insights, you are the one who knows your child best. Susanna realized that Arizona’s development was unique long before the professionals did. She trusted her observations and intuition to guide the way forward. Pay attention to what your child communicates through their behavior, reactions, and emotions—this is often a window into what they truly need.
Turn Down The Noise
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by advice from friends, family, and professionals, but as Susanna experienced, not every suggestion aligns with your child’s needs. Learning how to filter out opinions and focus on your inner voice is essential. Practices To Help Tune In To Yourself:
- Set boundaries on whose advice you consider. Stick to trusted professionals and people who understand your child’s unique situation.
- Take breaks from information overload. Limit the amount of time you spend researching or talking to others when making important decisions.
Overcoming Doubt: When to Trust Your Gut
Many moms, especially those raising children with special needs, experience doubt when their intuition contradicts expert opinions. Susanna found herself doubting her gut at times but learned to stay grounded in her instincts through practice.
How to Overcome Doubt:
- Validate Your Feelings: Susanna often reminds herself, “What is good for me is good for my child.” Trusting that your gut is aligned with your child’s well-being helps build confidence.
- Start Small: Begin by trusting your intuition in smaller, day-to-day decisions. Over time, as you see the positive outcomes, it will become easier to rely on that inner voice during bigger challenges.
The Role of Self-Care in Following Your Intuition
Taking care of yourself plays a major role in how well you can hear and trust your intuition. Susanna regularly practices self-care, which allows her to stay present and connected with her inner guidance. By prioritizing your well-being, you’ll have the clarity and emotional energy needed to make informed, intuitive decisions.
Self-Care Tips for Moms of Special Needs Children:
- Daily Check-Ins: Ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
- Whether it’s rest, a healthy meal, or a moment of quiet, tuning into your needs helps you stay grounded.
- Affirmations: Positive affirmations like “I am enough” or “I trust my intuition” can strengthen your confidence.
- Susanna uses these affirmations to stay in a positive mindset, which supports her ability to listen to her gut.
Affirmations and Mindfulness: Tools to Enhance Your Intuition
Affirmations have been a critical tool for Susanna in her parenting journey. Repeating affirmations like “I trust myself” or “I know what’s best for my child” can help you shift away from self-doubt and into a place of self-confidence. Pairing affirmations with mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, further enhances your connection to your intuition.
Using Affirmations in Your Daily Life:
- Choose one or two affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them daily.
- Say them out loud in the mirror, or write them in a journal to reinforce the message.
- Practice mindfulness to stay present and focused on your child’s needs in the moment.
Learning to Trust Yourself Over Time
Susanna’s journey reminds us that following your intuition as a mom of a special needs child takes time, practice, and self-compassion. You won’t always get it right, and that’s okay. What matters is that you continue listening to that inner voice and use it as a guide through both the big and small decisions in your child’s life.
Learning how to follow your intuition as a mom of a special needs child is an ongoing process. By practicing daily self-reflection, tuning out external pressures, and embracing self care, you’ll become more confident in trusting your inner voice. As Susanna beautifully shared, your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you have to advocate for your child’s well-being
Take a moment today to sit quietly and ask yourself, “What is my intuition telling me?” Trust that you have the answers you need.
Trusting your intuition is not just about following a feeling—it’s about believing in your connection to your child and your ability to make the best decisions for them. Start small, trust yourself, and watch as your confidence grows over time.
Connect With Susana Peace Lovell
Website: susannapeacelovell.com
Book (affiliate): Your True Self Is Enough
Instagram: @mamapeace
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