New year, same overwhelming to-do list? Somehow, the things that help you function always end up last. If you’re feeling stretched thin (or honestly, just tired), you’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into self-care with guidance from experts and real-life tips from parents of kids with disabilities who know firsthand how hard this can be. We’re also digging into the less-talked-about parts of caring for yourself as a parent: making your home or car more accessible so daily life is easier, understanding your rights around time off when you’re juggling work and caregiving, and navigating divorce when disability adds extra layers. Let’s dive in.
Self-care corner
As Undivided Navigator Heather McCullough tells us, “Self care to me is doing something for myself that helps fill up my cup, even just a little bit more. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it could be! Personally, I get manicures every few weeks because it gives me an hour in a kid-free, non-medical environment. It puts me around adults with no pressure to talk if I don’t want to. I use my hands all day to care for my medically fragile kiddo, type messages to doctors, call to schedule appointments, etc. So for me, making my hands feel nice makes me feel nice. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s for you and helps to add to YOUR cup.”
We share more expert- and parent-sourced tips like Heather’s for supporting mental wellness and managing stress in our article here. And, for some extra hand-picked resources (not just for parents but for the whole family), explore our list of mental wellness resources, with recs from neuropsychologist Dr. Rita Eichenstein and the Undivided Research Team.
When support meets real life
Sometimes caring for yourself (and your family) means handling the big, unglamorous stuff. But it doesn’t have to feel too big to handle.
- Time off work: we all know caregiving doesn’t fit neatly into work hours — learn what paid or unpaid leave options and job protections you may have, like FMLA, and who qualifies.
- Home & car accessibility: when your home and car work better for your child’s needs, daily life gets easier. We’ve rounded up everything you need to plan and fund accessible home and adaptive car modifications — from lighting and ramps to door locks, toileting, kitchen, and sleep supports, adaptive car seats, wheelchair modifications, and more.
- Navigating divorce: when families navigate divorce and disability at the same time, extra planning matters — this article walks through key considerations to help protect your child’s needs.
🎁 Give yourself the gift of Undivided 🎁
As we start this brand new year, it’s okay to admit you need support (we all do!). Whether you’re curious about joining our live expert office hours, using the digital binder, getting 1:1 support from a Navigator, exploring Andy AI, or diving into our step-by-step guides (and more helpful tools coming this year), now’s a great time to give Undivided a try. To get started with a Navigator, sign up for a free session.
Office hours → Wednesday, January 14, 12:00 p.m. PT
Join us for office hours with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, Undivided’s public benefits specialist, to ask your questions about Regional Center, IHSS, SSI, Medi-Cal, and other public benefits programs in California. If you’re not a member, sign up here to participate.
Undivided Conversations → Saturday, January 10, 12:00 p.m. PT
Navigating divorce while co-parenting children with disabilities can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Join us on our Facebook page this weekend as we revisit this conversation with attorneys who explore practical strategies for making this journey a bit smoother.
Raising a child with a disability shouldn’t mean doing it alone. Check out this Instagram post for all the ways Undivided can help→
Start the year using one of the brand-new tools in the Undivided app: create a printable “All About Me” page for your child with a few clicks of a button! Follow this quick tutorial on YouTube→
Are you brand-new to our community for parents, or maybe you haven’t introduced yourself yet? Say hello in our private Facebook group→
It’s our priority to help families be informed on education and disability advocacy. Stay updated in the new year when you connect with Undivided on LinkedIn→
