Although the holiday season can be magical, joyful, and full of tradition, it can feel loud, overwhelming, unpredictable, and exhausting. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
On my latest Just My MomSense podcast episode, I talk more about why the holidays can be so overstimulating, how anxiety and sensory challenges feed into each other, and what we can do to help our kids (and ourselves) move through the season with more calm.
You can listen here or on your favorite podcasting platform!
Today is World Kindness Day, a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be big, loud, or complicated. Sometimes, the most powerful acts of kindness are the quiet, everyday ones. As parents, we have this amazing opportunity to help our children understand that kindness is a skill, a habit, and a choice.
Here are a few simple ways families can celebrate kindness, not just today, but everyday:
Kindness begins in the little moments. Encourage siblings to help one another, say thank you, and use gentle words. Let your kids see you apologize when needed.
Create a “Kindness Jar.” Every time someone in the family does something kind, (holding the door, helping clean up, comforting a friend) write it down and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read them aloud and recognize the acts together.
Send a handwritten note to a teacher, draw a picture for a neighbor, or drop off snacks for your local library or fire station. Showing gratitude to others teaches kids that kindness connects us all.
Model it. When we give ourselves grace after a tough day or use positive words when talking about ourselves, we show our kids that kindness isn’t just something we give, it’s something we deserve, too.
Ask your kids what kindness means to them. You might be surprised by their answers. These conversations help build empathy and awareness.
Kindness doesn’t require perfection, it just needs intention. Today, take one extra moment to be kind, not only to others but yourself too. Then, share your favorite family kindness idea in the comments or tag #JustMyMomSense on social media! Let’s fill our feeds (and our homes) with a little more good.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed navigating the world of special education, you’re not alone. This week on the Just My MomSense podcast, I talk with Mark Ingrassia, the heart and voice behind SpecialEdRising.com, to talk about his inspiring journey and mission to uplift families, educators, and students everywhere.
Mark is a passionate advocate and educator who has dedicated his career to supporting children with diverse learning needs. Through his podcast and website, Special Ed Rising, he’s built a safe and welcoming space for conversations about inclusion, advocacy, and understanding.
In our episode, Mark shares his journey into the world of special education, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the inspiration behind Special Ed Rising. We also talk about the importance of community and how support, understanding, and a shared mission can make all the difference for children and the adults who champion them.
For more about Mark’s work, visit SpecialEdRising.com and follow Special Ed Rising on social media.
I was a bit under the weather last week, but wanted to make sure to let you all know about last week’s Just My MomSense podcast episode, before a new one drops tomorrow!
In Episode 13 of Just My MomSense, Dr. Val returns for a deeper dive into executive functioning skills. We talk about tools that help us plan, focus, organize and get things done. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone looking to strengthen everyday productivity, this conversation offers practical strategies and insight into how to support both children and adults.
On this episode of Just My MomSense, Jen talks with Dr. Troy Roddy. Dr. Troy is an educator, author, and fellow Disney Podcaster. They talk about building a community within a school, as well as with parents in order to help children develop a lifelong love of learning.
Listen here:
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but I’ve found tools and resources that make the tough days a little smoother. Whether you’re navigating sensory processing challenges, school struggles, or just need a moment to breathe, these resources have been a lifesaver for our family.
Below, you’ll find links to other sites I’ve found helpful, as well as my Favorite Things page, podcast episodes, and items from my Etsy shop, all curated to bring practical support, calm, and comfort to your parenting journey.
Explore these resources to help you manage parenting stress, neurodivergent needs, and everyday challenges with confidence.
Sensory Spectacle YouTube Channel
These are a few of my Favorite Things
Embracing Neurodiversity with Dr. Matt Zakreski | Just My MomSense Podcast
Understanding How We Learn with Dr. Val | Just My MomSense Podcast
Every year on October 10, the world pauses to recognize World Mental Health Day. A day to remember that our mental well-being matters just as much as our physical health.
The truth is, mental health starts at home, in our daily routines, our conversations, and the ways we care for one another. Whether you’re a parent, child, or caregiver, mental health is something we can nurture together.
Kids learn how to express emotions by watching us. Talking about feelings, the good and the hard ones, normalizes emotional ups and downs. Try asking your kids questions like:
It doesn’t have to be heavy, just consistent. These conversations help children build emotional vocabulary and teach them it’s okay to ask for help.
As parents, we won’t always get it right. But showing your kids how you calm down through deep breathing, taking a short walk, or saying, “I need a minute to think,” teaches emotional regulation better than any lecture could. When we practice self-care openly, we give our kids permission to do the same.
Routines help everyone feel grounded, especially kids who thrive on predictability. Simple rituals like reading before bed, eating dinner together, or sharing highs and lows of the day create connection and stability which are two key ingredients for strong mental health.
It’s easy to put everyone else’s needs first, but your mental health deserves care, too. Check in with yourself:
Even a few minutes a day of quiet, journaling, or movement can make a difference.
Caring for our family’s mental health doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. It’s the small, everyday choices that build emotional strength: a hug, a walk, a laugh, or a moment of grace when things go wrong.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s remind ourselves and our kids that it’s okay not to be okay and that help, hope, and healing are always within reach.
This household is very pro therapy! However, it’s so hard to know where to start, what the different types of therapies mean and what may be best for you or your child. With it being Sensory Processing Awareness Month, I thought I would explore the many types of therapy available for children and families; from occupational and speech therapy to CBT and talk therapy.
Occupational Therapy helps kids build the skills they need for everyday life, from tying shoes and brushing teeth to regulating their emotions.
Common goals:
Speech therapy goes beyond pronunciation. It can also help children who struggle with communication, social interaction, and feeding.
Speech therapists work on everything from articulation and expressive language to understanding nonverbal cues.
Common goals:
Physical therapists help children build strength, balance, and coordination. This therapy is especially beneficial for kids with developmental delays, low muscle tone, or motor planning challenges.
Common goals:
Play therapy uses play, a child’s natural form of expression, to help them process big feelings and experiences. It can be especially effective for children who have anxiety, trauma, or difficulty expressing emotions verbally.
Common goals:
CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps children (and adults) recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive, realistic ones.
It’s a powerful tool for anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation. Therapists often use visual aids, role-play, and journaling to make CBT age-appropriate and engaging.
Common goals:
Talk therapy provides a safe, judgment-free space for both kids and parents to explore feelings, relationships, and stressors. For parents, it can also be an invaluable form of support when navigating a child’s diagnosis or behavioral challenges.
Common goals:
Feeding therapy helps children who struggle with eating, whether due to sensory sensitivities, oral motor challenges, or anxiety around food.
A therapist might use gradual exposure, play, and desensitization to help make mealtime more positive and successful.
Common goals:
Therapy isn’t just for kids, it’s for families, too. Parent coaching or family therapy can help improve communication, set boundaries, and strengthen relationships.
Common goals:
Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every child and every family is unique. What matters most is finding the right combination of support that meets your child where they are.
Whether it’s OT for sensory needs, CBT for anxiety, or play therapy to help your child open up, each form of therapy is a step toward greater understanding, connection, and confidence.
October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month, and this week on the Just My MomSense podcast, I’m sharing our family’s journey with sensory processing differences from the early clues, the tough moments, and the small strategies that have made a big difference.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here!
Although we tend to think of food when we hear the word “diet,” a sensory diet isn’t about food at all. It’s about providing the right kind of sensory input throughout the day to help kids (and adults) regulate, focus, and feel their best.
For our family, learning about sensory diets was so helpful. My kids both experience the world in ways that can sometimes feel “too much” or “not enough.” One might crave constant movement, while the other gets overwhelmed by sound or touch. Once we started understanding sensory needs, things began to make a lot more sense. Sensory diets are something I go back to a lot when I feel we’ve gotten too caught up in the day-to-day.
A sensory diet is a personalized plan of activities and strategies designed to give the brain the input it needs to stay regulated. It might include things like:
Occupational therapists often create sensory diets tailored to a child’s specific needs, but parents can also integrate small strategies at home once they understand what works best for their child. Think of it as feeding your child’s sensory system the “nutrients” it needs to thrive.
Sensory input directly impacts how we feel, think, and behave. When a child’s sensory system is out of balance, they might seem “hyper,” “zoned out,” or “meltdown-prone.” These aren’t bad behaviors, they’re signals.
A well-balanced sensory diet helps:
You don’t need fancy equipment or a sensory room (though those are fun if you have the space). Start with small, intentional moments throughout the day:
Pay attention to your child’s reactions. What helps them focus? What calms them? What overstimulates them? That’s your roadmap.
If you’re just starting to explore sensory diets, take a deep breath. It’s a learning process and may be a game of trial and error until you figure out what works best. Some strategies might work one week and not the next (trust me, I’ve been there).
You know your child best. You see the cues others might miss. By tuning into their sensory needs, you’re helping them build lifelong skills in self-awareness and regulation.
A sensory diet isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” plan. Some days it’s five minutes of jumping on the trampoline and other days it’s a long walk outside after school. What matters most is consistency and compassion for your child and yourself.
When we start viewing behavior through a sensory lens, everything starts to click.
Just My MomSense 