Dream Jar Travels

Dream Jar Travels 🗺️Inspiring Your Next Family Vacation✈️Autism Insights & Toddler Travel Tips🌎Neurodivergent Family

I’ve been stuck in fight, flight… and freeze for years.Two autism diagnoses. Endless meltdowns. History of trauma. A bod...
08/10/2025

I’ve been stuck in fight, flight… and freeze for years.

Two autism diagnoses. Endless meltdowns. History of trauma. A body screaming with anxiety, brain fog, PMDD, fatigue, and weight I can’t shift.

I thought it was just motherhood.
It wasn’t. It was burnout.

So I gave myself permission to step away, not for a yoga class or one sound bath, but for 5 days to heal my nervous system at the root.

Not bubble baths. Not “quick fixes.”
Science-backed tools that taught my body how to feel safe again.

📸 Swipe to see the moments that shifted everything, breathwork on the terrace, meditation with a view, ice baths, and somatic practices to release tension.

Coming home wasn’t perfect. Within 24 hours, I cried three times.

Not because I didn’t have the tools, but because raising two VERY high-energy autistic kids means constant engagement.

Here’s what I remembered: healing is in micro-moments. Baby steps matter. I can’t overhaul my life overnight but I can make one small change today that supports tomorrow.

I’m grateful for the retreat, the education, and the reminder that this is an ongoing evolution.

If you’ve been craving time for you, especially if you’re raising kids with special needs, I promise you’ll come home with at least one ‘aha’ moment that stays with you forever. And it’s worth it.

Supporting your journey, whatever that may look like. ✈️

These two? They’re the reason everything changed—and why I’ll never stop advocating for inclusive travel. Today is World...
04/02/2025

These two? They’re the reason everything changed—and why I’ll never stop advocating for inclusive travel. Today is World Autism Day, and while awareness matters, acceptance is what truly creates change. 🫶🏼

You’ve seen our family adventures, our Dream Jar tradition, and our passion for inspiring parents to embrace family vacations. But what you may not know is that behind every story, every destination, and every reel… is our why—and it’s Eli & Vayda.

Drop a ♾️ in the comments if you believe every child deserves the chance to see the world.

As we navigated the early years of parenthood, we quickly realized we were also navigating a world not designed for neurodivergent kids.

I’ve always believed travel is one of the greatest gifts—and the most powerful teacher—we can offer our children. Yet too many families hesitate to explore because accessibility and inclusion are still an afterthought.

That’s why I speak up. That’s why I share.

Family travel should be inclusive, sensory-aware, and accessible to every child. Because families like mine? We deserve a seat at the table. At the beach. At the resort. On the plane. And at every destination that promises joy, rest, and connection.

Our hope is to see more destinations, hotels, and resorts step up with real support for hidden disabilities. If you’re wondering where to start— in Arizona is the first Autism Certified City in the U.S. (my goal is to highlight a trip there to prove their efforts are supportive).

Our voices matter. Our stories matter. And our kids deserve to feel include and empowered, and above all, to be safe. This isn’t just about vacations—it’s about possibility. It’s about showing every child they are worthy of taking up space in this world.

To the parents raising autistic kids: I see you. I am you. And I’ll keep using this platform to advocate for travel that embraces all kinds of families—because our children deserve the magic of new experiences too.

✨ Follow for autism-friendly travel tips, inclusive family vacations, and real-life stories that prove travel is possible—with the right support. ✈️

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