26 | Parenting Children with Autism: Trusting Your Motherly Intuition and Never Giving Up with Kristin LeBaron

In honor of Autism Awareness Month 🧩💙

In this special episode of Building Yourself with Grace, I’m joined by a very special guest—my mom, Kristin LeBaron—as she shares her powerful journey raising children on the autism spectrum.

At a time when there was very little information and support available, Kristin had to navigate uncertainty, difficult medical advice, and overwhelming challenges—all while learning to trust her motherly intuition and never give up on her children.

In this conversation, we talk about what it really looks like to walk through autism as a family, how to recognize when something isn’t right, and the importance of advocating for your child even when others may not understand.

Kristin shares practical wisdom for parents navigating an autism diagnosis, including seeking second opinions, finding the right support, and thinking creatively to meet your child’s unique needs. We also talk about the emotional side of motherhood—how to care for yourself in the process, trust your instincts, and continue showing up even when it feels hard.

If you are parenting a child with autism, navigating a difficult season, or simply feeling overwhelmed as a mom, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone—and that you are exactly the mom your children need.

With faith, persistence, and support, beautiful things can come from even the hardest situations.

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🧩💙 Mentioned Resources

Your Health Freedom

Your Health Freedom is a Utah-based organization, dedicated to the promotion of informed consent. 

https://www.yourhealthfreedom.org/ 

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✨ Quote by Lynn G. Robbins
“A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505… Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?”

📖 Lynn G. Robbins — “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” (April 2011)

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✨ Excerpt from The Best Kind of Mom
“The best kind of mom… doesn’t exist. She truly doesn't. There is no singular, perfect, absolute best way to be. There are hundreds of styles of good mothering, every one of which can turn out terrific kids. Some kids blossom best around a soft-spoken, gentle mother. Others like high-energy exuberance. Some kids need a tough, no-nonsense mom, while a sensitive, lenient one is right for another.
The message? Stop comparing yourself. Just be yourself and let that be enough.”

📖 Joni Hilton — The Best Kind of Mom

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💛 Ways to Grow & Connect

🌿 Apply for The Grace-Minded Mom Coaching Program
➤ https://drive.google.com/file/d/181SEjz1FKJ-X7txovGEMptOpt8fIRknM/view?usp=sharing

📬 Email me directly:
➤ buildingyourselfwithgrace@gmail.com

💌 Subscribe to The Grace Letter (weekly faith + mindset encouragement)
➤ https://buildingyourselfwithgrace.kit.com/resources