If you are counting down the days until school starts, feeling short-tempered and exhausted, and then feeling guilty on top of it, you are experiencing end of summer burnout, and you are not alone. In this episode, Lisa Candera explains where autism mom burnout actually comes from and why the constant role of being your household's cruise director and emotional regulator drains your tank. She offers practical, low-effort ways to refill that tank and close out the summer without the pressure to make it perfect.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• You will learn why burnout comes from the energy required to run your household nonstop, not simply from the number of things you are juggling as an autism mom.
• You will learn how taking space, letting other people manage their own relationships and feelings, and refusing to layer guilt on top of your rest can make that rest genuinely restorative.
• You will learn why dropping the pressure for the end of summer to look a certain way, and choosing simple, easy wins instead, will leave you with more energy heading into the school year.

Resources mentioned:

• Sun, Moon, and Stars Autism Awareness Night at Quassy Amusement and Waterpark in Middlebury, Connecticut, on September 4, 2026 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This is a sensory-friendly event open to autism families, special needs families, and their allies. Registration is required through Sun, Moon, and Stars, as the event is not open to the general public.