We’re Fine, Mom. Just Play with Us
Dear Mom,

We see you. Scrolling through Instagram at midnight, saving reels about stimming, sensory bins, and something called “co-regulation.” You look worried, like our happy little quirks are problems to solve. But let’s clear this up: we’re fine. Seriously. Just play with us.

Yes, we stim. Maybe it’s flapping hands, tapping fingers, or that humming sound that makes Grandma raise her eyebrows. For us, it’s like a happy dance for our brain. When you see it, you don’t need to scroll for advice on “redirecting” us or panic-search “Is this normal?” Spoiler: it is. Let us stim. It’s not a problem to fix; it’s joy in motion.

Stop Scrolling; Start Listening

Every day, you add something new to my routine based on what you scrolled through last night. Yesterday, it was yoga before breakfast (and, honestly, I nailed Downward Dog). Today, you handed me a sensory diet chart that says I should carry heavy books around like a miniature bodybuilder. We know you mean well, Mom, but… we’re fine. We don’t need a new plan every day. We don’t need to be “optimized.” Just build a fort with us or watch us spin in circles. Trust us—spinning is way more fun than Instagram thinks.

Our Quirks Aren’t Problems

When we line up our toy cars instead of crashing them, it’s not a cry for help. It’s because lining them up makes sense to us. When we skip loud birthday parties, it’s not because we’re lonely. It’s because balloons popping feels like an air raid. Our quirks aren’t puzzles to solve. They’re part of who we are. When you try to “fix” them, it feels like you’re saying we’re not enough as we are. But we are. If you want to help, just join us. Line up the cars. Skip the party. Hum along with us.

Our Routine Isn’t Your Pinterest Board

We know you love us. That’s why you’re always trying to make things better. But here’s a secret: better doesn’t mean adding more. We don’t need a schedule crammed with therapeutic activities. If you want to plan something fun, let’s play hide-and-seek. Or let’s spend the afternoon building LEGO castles. And, Mom? That glittery sensory jar you made after a 2 a.m. tutorial binge? It’s beautiful—but Whiskers the cat thinks it’s a chew toy.

The Truth About Scrolling
When you scroll, we notice. We notice when your eyes are on the screen instead of on us. We notice when your energy is drained from chasing every parenting hack social media throws your way.

But none of that matters to us. What matters is when you laugh at our jokes, even the ones that don’t make sense. What matters is when you sit with us while we build the same puzzle for the hundredth time. What matters is you—not a “better” version of you that Instagram promised would emerge after 30 reels and a calming pod purchase.

We’re Not That Complicated
Here’s the deal: we’re kids.

Neurodiverse, neurotypical—it doesn’t matter. We like mud, pillow forts, and fart jokes. Sometimes we get cranky because we’re tired, hungry, or you said no to a second ice cream. It’s not sensory overload or a neurological collapse—it’s life.

Let’s Make a Deal
So, let’s make a deal:

Put down the phone.
Ignore the reels.
Don’t worry about the stimming, the routines, or the quirks.

Instead, come into our world. Spin with us. Line up the cars with us. Play our silly games. And if we’re humming the same song on repeat? Hum it with us.

At the end of the day, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re just looking for you.

We’re fine, Mom. Just play with us.

Love,

Your and yours forever
Kid

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“We’re Fine, Mom. Just Play with Us”