July 24, 2025

You Don’t HAVE to Do This. You GET to Do This.

You Don’t HAVE to Do This. You GET to Do This.
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Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. This episode gets real. I'm sharing what's going on inside my head and my heart. We’re talking nervous systems, mine and Wyatt’s, how it feels to live in a body that’s sometimes on overload, and what it means to give ourselves grace through it all. I also open up about the emotional waves that come with parenting a non-speaking autistic child and why I struggle with the idea of a “perfect day.”

You’ll hear about gratitude, the importance of honest reflection, and why sounding like you’ve got it all together doesn’t mean you do. I talk about Wyatt's recent progress, the ups and downs of detox and chiropractic therapy, and why practicing gratitude as an action might be the shift we all need.

If you're feeling like you're treading water, this one’s for you. You’re not alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Gratitude is an action, not a thought – Take time to feel it, not just say it.
  • You don’t have to do this—you get to do this – A reminder that shifts everything.
  • Joy and struggle can co-exist – Even if life feels hard, it's okay to smile.
  • You’re not the only one treading water – Behind every “together” voice is a real person trying their best.
  • Peaks and valleys are part of healing – Especially when it comes to nervous system regulation and detox.
  • Our kids aren't "being bad"—they’re doing their best with what they have – That goes for us too.
  • We can't let the idea of perfection rob us of joy – Especially when it comes to our kids' progress and our own peace.
  • Feeling trapped doesn’t mean your life is bad – Sometimes, you’re just stuck in something good that’s really hard.
  • Parenting a neurodivergent child doesn’t come with calm preloaded – You earn it through fire, patience, and love.
  • Hope is real – No matter your child's diagnosis, there's a good future ahead.

If this episode hit home for you, I’d love to hear from you. Visit spectrumincamouflage.com or shoot me an email at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s keep showing up, giving ourselves grace, and doing the best we can—together.

Follow Us!

Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference—one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.