Connection Starts with You (Especially Thanksgiving Week)

Next week, many of us will be surrounded by family, or at least, your child will be home from school.

For parents of neurodivergent children, young and grown, family connection isn’t just about bonding. It’s how kids build the emotional foundation for friendships and confidence in the world.

It’s easy to think, “We’ll have more time together. We’ll have more time to connect.”

But connection isn’t automatic. It needs space, calm, and an emotionally regulated adult leading the way.

Why connection starts with you

At Parenting Redefined, we talk often about how the way your child connects within the family becomes the foundation for how they connect outside of it.

When your child feels safe, seen, and emotionally understood at home, they’re learning and practicing the same skills they’ll use to make and keep friends: effective communication, empathy, repair, trust, and self-regulation.

Home gives your child a chance to repeat these interactions again and again, building confidence and emotional muscle memory so when they’re ready, they can expand to using the skills with people outside of their inner circle.

I always remind parents:

Our kids will not be more regulated than the least regulated adult in the room.

That means the first step toward connection starts with you.

Simple ways to stay grounded this week

If this resonates, you might also like Three Words That Turn a Compliment into a Coachable Moment—a simple shift that deepens communication and connection with your child.

Here’s what that might look like this week:

💜 Plan for social battery fluctuations
If your child (or you) struggle in crowds, pack a small “recharge kit” in the car: headphones, a soft blanket, a favorite book, or even snacks. Having a retreat plan can turn overwhelm into safety.

💜 Protect your priorities
It’s okay to say no to family gatherings that drain your child (or you). “We’re keeping it simple this year” is a full sentence.

💜 Prepare at night
Lay out breakfast things, clothes, or activities so mornings start with presence, not pressure.

You can also check out Capacity Check: The Parenting Mindset—it’ll help you think through your (and your child’s) social battery before the week gets busy.

What true connection teaches

When you start from your own regulation, you model exactly what you want your child to learn: how to recognize needs, make adjustments, and come back to calm.

That’s the foundation for emotional growth and the kind of connection that teaches more than any worksheet ever could.

Wishing you a grounded, connected Thanksgiving week.