Wide Open Spaces - by Louise Fearn (Paperback)

About the Book

An empowering wellbeing journal for parents of neurodiverse children filled with lived-experience anecdotes to remind you that you are not alone as well as thoughtful questions, centring activities to try out and designated journal space.

Book Synopsis

Are you the parent of a neurodiverse or deeply-feeling child?

Have you found yourself battling for an EHCP or navigating the traditional education system, a specialist provision or the everyone-at-home experience without much support?

Or perhaps you're in overwhelm or burn out, lost under the weight and responsibility that comes from parenting a complex child?

If you find yourself saying yes to any of the above, then you're in good company!

This journal is a hand held out in the darkness, offering you a path back to yourself. It shows you how, by understanding your own needs and practising comforting, energising, hits-the-spot self-care, you can power through the ups and downs of parenting a neurodiverse family. With short journalling prompts and imaginative activities designed specifically for this parenting experience, it provides a warm sense of community, ensuring you feel completely held as you discover how to regulate and centre yourself and how to enliven life beyond your role as a parent or carer.

Part fill-in journal and part anecdotal memoir, Wide Open Spaces unpacks how you can come to understand your child's dysregulated behaviours and communicate with them in a way that makes your life easier. From supporting your child's emotional literacy and coping with big emotions, to rapport building, PDA, co-dependency and more, gentle, easy-to-follow advice runs throughout.

Wide Open Spaces is a kind, insightful and uplifting read that guides you, cheerily, in the direction of peace, and a more balanced and fulfilled family life.

Review Quotes

An exceptionally well written, moving and informed read where the personal anecdotes were incredibly sensitively written and honest. Short chapters with opportunities for reflection, practical steps and useful resources. Ideal for a busy parent.--Crispin Taylor, Retired Head of CAMHS

Here is a wellbeing book for parents and carers full of warmth from a relatable author. This book will be your friend and confidant and is filled with practical tips that will help you to create personalised self-care solutions and boost your mental resources when you need them most.--Debby Elley, author, co-founder of AuKids Magazine and mother of twin Autistic sons

If you parent or care for a deeply feeling child, then this is your next right thing. It supported me to think, do life and rest in a way that's helped us all.--Lucy Gillett, Children's Occupational Therapist (BSc and MSc), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and parent of a deeply feeling child

Lou Fearn is the wise, perfectly imperfectly Mum every neurodivergent child wishes their parent could have a cup of tea and a quick chat with - and now they can!--Emma Marlin, Psychotherapist (MBACP Accredited)

About the Author

Louise Fearn is a writer and meditation teacher with a background in social work. She also works as a sense of self facilitator and is the parent of two neurodiverse children.