Hey there, it’s Cheniece.

I recorded this entry at the end of a long and trying day from my husband’s office during one of the few quiet moments I get as a mom to two autistic toddlers. This is honest, unfiltered, and straight from off my heart.

• The reality of special needs parenting—meltdowns before 9 AM, therapy appointments, and the constant daily juggle.
• The disconnect between the motherhood I imagined and the one I’ve been given.
• Finding life inside of myself again in the bathroom mirror after everyone else is asleep.
• Holding space for grief while still embracing hope within the motherhood journey I’ve been given.
• The truth that I can love my children fiercely and still need something that’s just mine.

“I can love my children fiercely, advocate for them relentlessly, and still need something that's just mine. I can grieve the motherhood I thought I'd have while embracing the one I've been given. I can feel broken and whole in the very same moment. And so can you.”

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Your message may be featured in an upcoming episode (anonymously). Your experiences matter and help other parents feel less alone.

The Little Alchemies podcast celebrates the complex journey of raising neurodivergent children while reclaiming our identities beyond caregiving. Hosted by Cheniece, mother of two autistic children and advocate for parent well-being.