30 Next Steps for Parents {When You Start Catastrophizing}

30 NEXT STEPS FOR PARENTS

A warm, candid moment in a bright family kitchen. Amy Julia brushes Penny’s hair while Peter and William unload the dishwasher in the background. Overlaid text reads “30 Next Steps for Parents.” Below, a separate image shows a printed calendar titled “30 Next Steps for Parents to Connect with Yourself, Your Family, and Your Community,” featuring daily prompts like “Text a friend” and “Call a friend.”

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the things you could be doing to support your kids?

When the to-do lists feel endless and I’m tempted to start catastrophizing, I remember to do three things:

1. Start with delight. (What brings joy? What sparks interest?)
2. Connect to community. (Who can walk alongside us?)
3. Take the next step. (We don’t need to know the whole path. Just the next step.)

Here’s a free calendar with 30 simple next steps to help you connect to yourself, your family, and your community. Each one takes five minutes or less.

A Good and Perfect Gift

Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny

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Read An Excerpt

This excellent and moving book about Penny as a wonderful gift should be read not just by parents of people with disabilities but by all of us who should discover the beauty of those who are different.
Jean VanierAuthor, founder L’Arche
It takes faith to turn an unmet expectation into something delightfully exceptional, and Amy Julia Becker learned to do just that when Penny was born. Poignant and powerful, the world needs more stories of inspiration like this one!
Joni Eareckson TadaJoni And Friends International Disability Center
Amy Julia Becker makes herself vulnerable to enlighten us, not just about Down syndrome, but about the intrinsic gifts of life. This book is a must-read, and not just for families and friends of children with Down syndrome.
Sara GrovesSinger and songwriter, International Justice Mission advocate