Close-up of a large, round, purple allium flower in full bloom, with a blurred background featuring green bamboo stems and soft foliage. The sunlight streaming through a nearby window adds a warm, gentle ambiance to the scene.
Parent Reflections

Being Here, for All of Us

By:
Lorren Rodriguez
The author a latina and her two children, a girl, and teen boy. They are smiling at the camera.

As a Latina mother raising a child who is neurodivergent and then finding out I’m neurodivergent myself, practicing mindfulness has transformed my approach to wellness, for both myself and my family. Each day brings new joys and challenges, but mindfulness offers a grounding practice that helps me be truly present in each moment. This isn’t just about being calm; it’s about learning to connect with my child on a deeper level, with empathy and awareness, and without the noise of stress or self-criticism clouding my actions. Mindfulness teaches me to pause, to breathe, and to check in with my emotions before reacting.

In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to get swept up in expectations—our own, our families’, and society’s. However, when I center myself through mindfulness, I feel empowered to support my child authentically, with patience and a clearer mind. This practice also helps me find self-compassion, something I’ve realized is essential in this journey.

In the Latino culture, family bonds are deep and resilience is celebrated, yet there can be pressure to “hold it all together.” For me, mindfulness is a way to honor that resilience while also making space to acknowledge my own needs, fears, and moments of vulnerability.

Through mindfulness, I’ve learned to look beyond my own experiences and see the world through my child’s eyes, free of judgment and comparison. This perspective helps me embrace each small milestone with genuine joy and acceptance, and to trust in our unique journey. Mindfulness, as a practice, doesn’t remove the challenges we face, but it equips us with tools to navigate them with strength and compassion, allowing me to cultivate a supportive, peaceful environment that celebrates our family’s unique path.

An attractive latina woman with long, dark, brown hair, a white blazer is sitting on a chair backwards. She is looking at the camera and is indoors.
Lorren Rodriguez

Lorren Rodriguez is a dedicated Latina mother of two, one of whom is neurodivergent. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Lorren’s journey has been one of transformation and self-discovery. Originally from a finance background, she made a bold career shift to work with neurodivergent individuals, motivated by her experiences as both a mother and an advocate. Today, she integrates mindfulness into her life and work, using it as a tool to foster connection, resilience, and understanding. Lorren is passionate about empowering others on their neurodivergent journeys, creating supportive spaces where everyone is encouraged to thrive authentically.

further reading

To Be Human

K. Day reflects on the shared human experience, acknowledging its light and shadow. She calls for a return to compassion and unity, urging us to open our eyes to the deeper truth of our interconnectedness. She eloquently reminds us that despite the chaos, our humanity is rooted in the care we show one another.
3 min read

Chitta and Chill - Mindfulness That Honors Your Neurodivergent Mind

This post is about how mindfulness supports neurodivergent people in managing a mind always on the verge of mental overload, whether it’s sensory, emotional, or cognitive. It’s about removing the need to mask, trusting our inner knowing, and finding stillness even for just a moment.
6 min read
view all wellness posts