Maura’s professional life showcases her ability to thrive despite neurodivergence
Maura Aaron Smeely’s professional life is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. As the EVP of Social Impact at Gibbon Communication and a successful blogger and podcast host, she has managed to channel her anxiety into productive work. Her journey from a highly anxious child to a successful adult highlights the potential for growth and achievement, even when faced with significant mental health challenges.
Parenting with Anxiety: How One Mother Balances Mental Health and Family
As a neurodivergent parent navigating the complexities of raising neurodiverse children, the journey can be both challenging and rewarding. Maura Aaron Smeely, a successful digital communications executive and podcast host, shares her personal experiences with anxiety, depression, and OCD, and how these conditions influence her parenting. While these challenges are not her fault, Maura emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in managing them to foster a supportive environment for her family.
The impact of anxiety and depression on daily life and parenting
Maura’s experiences with clinical anxiety and major depressive disorder have profoundly shaped her daily life and her approach to parenting. She describes periods of high anxiety where she is extremely productive, contrasted with episodes of depression that she finds much harder to manage. These fluctuations affect her interactions with her children, prompting her to be mindful of how her mental health influences her parenting style and the emotional environment she creates at home.
Author Quote
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I joke that like putting a kid basically in some form of therapy five days a week since they’re eight years old can really make a kid self-actualized.
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The importance of early intervention and therapy in supporting neurodiverse children
One of Maura’s proudest achievements is the successful early intervention for her son, who was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety disorder at eight years old. Through consistent therapy and support, her son has developed into an independent and empathetic young man. Maura’s commitment to seeking help and resources for her child underscores the critical role of proactive parenting in nurturing the potential of neurodiverse children.
Key Takeaways:
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Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Adults with ADHD often experience heightened anxiety, which can manifest in various ways, including social anxiety and OCD symptoms. It's important for them to recognize these patterns and use techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to manage their anxiety effectively. This not only helps in personal well-being but also in parenting, as it prevents the transmission of anxiety to their children.
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Leveraging Neurodiversity for Empathy and Parenting: Neurodivergent adults, including those with ADHD, can harness their unique perspectives to foster empathy and understanding in their family dynamics. By openly discussing emotions and struggles, they can model healthy emotional expression and problem-solving, which can lead to raising empathetic and independent children.
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Seeking and Utilizing Support Systems: It's crucial for adults with ADHD to engage with support systems, including therapy and professional interventions, which can significantly improve their quality of life and parenting skills. Early and consistent interventions, as well as collaboration with educators and therapists, can help in managing ADHD symptoms and supporting the development of their children.
Embracing a growth mindset and neuroplasticity to enhance parenting skills
Maura’s journey also reflects the power of a Growth Mindset and Neuroplasticity. By continuously learning and adapting, she has developed strategies to manage her anxiety and OCD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. These approaches not only help her but also allow her to model resilience and problem-solving for her children. Embracing these concepts can empower parents to better support their neurodiverse children and themselves.
Author Quote
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I’m a big believer in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to manage my day and my OCD and all of my issues.
”Overcoming the challenge of anxiety to create a positive environment for children
One of the specific challenges Maura faces is the pervasive nature of her anxiety, which she fears might “infect” her children. However, she takes responsibility for managing her condition to protect her children from its negative effects. By working on boundaries and modeling healthy emotional expression, Maura strives to create a nurturing environment where her children can thrive. This effort to overcome anxiety through neuroplasticity and a growth mindset not only benefits her but also sets a positive example for her children, fostering their emotional and psychological well-being.
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