Welcome to Once upon a Minivan. I’m kicking my blog off in April to line up with Autism acceptance as my firstborn is Autistic. but its not just because of him.
That didn’t happen, this is being launched in may.
Let’s Start Again.
Hi there! I’m Ashley, and I’m here to share my journey with you. Living with a unique blend of ADHD Combined Type, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, I often joke that I’m like a designer dog – less pedigree, more quirks. Social interactions? They come with a side of guilt, but I manage just fine, thank you. Unlike the ‘Autism Mama’ stereotype, I prefer genuine understanding over sympathy. Trust me, I’ve got this. The only time I truly struggle? When I’m reaching for a snack, and my kids are eyeing it like hawks. Welcome to my world
Back on Topic; my greatest wish is a world where both of my children can thrive, happy and safe. Parenting my neurodivergent little guy isn’t about suffering; it’s about celebrating his unique journey. With boundless energy and infectious joy, he tackles life at full speed, his heart brimming with excitement as he runs at impossibly fast speeds on his tiptoes.
Meanwhile, my daughter is carving her own path, mastering milestones in her own time, trying to closr a 4.5 year age gap in six months. Together, they remind me that life is about more than just chasing after a paycheck.
Join me as I navigate the joys and challenges of neurodivergent parenting, showing my children—and the world—that there’s a multitude of options and opportunities awaiting them.
Life in America during the 2020s presents a multifaceted challenge—it’s not just physically or emotionally draining, but also financially stressful. From rising living costs to uncertain job markets, everyone is feeling the pinch in their wallets
For exceptional families like ours, managing a myriad of needs—from DME’s, IPP’s and IEP’s to medical specialists and safety plans—while practicing responsive parenting and maintaining routines can feel like treading water in a sea of demands.
But we deserve more than just keeping our heads above water. Like any family, we deserve the stability of a sturdy boat. In today’s uncertain times, financial comfort means having options, not constraints.
The Formula Crisis of 2022 was a wake-up call for us. The skyrocketing prices and scarcity of essentials forced us to reconsider expanding our family. Economic fluctuations directly impact our family planning decisions, highlighting the urgency of financial preparedness. We knew we wouldn’t be able to find formula if I had pumping struggles like with Panda. I’ve watched a small grocery trim climb in price. and $90 is the new $40 trip with fewer items and no name brands.
Diversifying Income: The Key to Financial Success in Modern America
Pinching pennies alone is no longer sufficient. In today’s economic landscape, cultivating multiple income streams has become essential for achieving financial stability and success
Most people can just take a second job or pick up more shifts. I can’t. My son has support needs and someone has to coordinate those. The only way out is moving beyond MLM’s and Predatory Side Hustles. “Rise and Grind” the idea of just giving more of our lives to our jobs truly grates on my nerves as much as “Live Laugh Love” did wen it rose on all the college decor I found cute in 2014. As Americans and especially as parents we are being pushed into chasing every trend from hoping to strike lightning with a single viral video or playing casino games on our phones and supposedly earning more than our paychecks just isn’t realistic.
But neither is some 22 year old boy with a lambo hawking crypto. I don’t need a 12 million dollar house in Maui. I want a Decent home here in California. Or if we have to move; another decent house where ever we land. The American dream has been priced our of my generations reach for a long time. But I don’t think it has to be.
Here’s What I’m Doing About It
I’m on a mission to make sure my children can stand on there own two feet and don’t have to spend their early adulthood worrying about what to do with or for mom and dad. I also have a special concern of wanting to make sure my daughter isn’t responsible for her brother’s care when they are all grown up and were not here.
Once Upon a minivan is my little pebble across the water, hoping the ripples create the change that gives my family their own happily ever after.
May my ripples help you achieve the same.
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