Thrive in 5 — Issue #2 — Sunday, December 21, 2025

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Welcome to Thrive in 5—your weekly note that respects your time, your energy, and the fact that someone in your house may be asking for a snack while already holding a snack.

If you’re parenting, supporting a parent, grandparenting, co-parenting, step-parenting, fostering, auntie-ing, or loving a family through the chaos… you belong here.

Subscribe anytime (and share with a friend):
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/newsletter

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THIS WEEK’S TWO READS

1) Dyspraxia / DCD: Kind Help for Skills, Sports, and School

This one is for the kids who try so hard—yet shoelaces, handwriting, sports, or “just do it like the others” feels extra hard. We lead with kindness and practical support.

Takeaways:

It’s not laziness. Some bodies/brains need different steps and supports.
Confidence grows when we notice effort, not just results.
Small changes (tools + patience + practice) can reduce daily stress.

Read it here:
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/blog/dyspraxia-dcd-kind-help-for-skills-sports-school

2) You’ve Got This, Mom: Borrow the Dress, Keep the Joy

Holiday pressure is loud. This post is your reminder that joy doesn’t have to be expensive, perfect, or Pinterest-approved.

Takeaways:

“Good enough” is not a failure—it’s a strategy.
Borrowing, swapping, and simplifying is smart (and honestly… kind of iconic).
Less stuff + more connection = more peace.

Read it here:
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/blog/youve-got-this-mom-borrow-the-dress-keep-the-joy

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Dec 23, 2025: Autism Spectrum — See, Support, Include
A gentle, practical guide to understanding autism with more compassion, better support, and less misinformation.

Read it here:
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/blog/autism-spectrum-see-support-include

Dec 26, 2025: Boxing Day Reset — Keep the Joy, Clear the Piles, Rest Well
A warm reset for the day-after energy: what to keep, what to clear, and how to actually rest.

Link (confirm this URL before posting):
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/blog/Boxing Day reset: Keep the Joy, Clear the Piles, Rest Well

Subscribe so you don’t miss it:
https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/newsletter

TINY WIN OF THE WEEK (under 5 minutes)

The “Make It Easier” Win (4 minutes):
Pick ONE daily friction point and make it 10% easier.

Examples:

Put shoes/socks by the door.
Create a “grab basket” for gloves/toques.
Choose tomorrow’s breakfast option tonight (even “toast + fruit” counts).
Set out one outfit… for you too.

Tiny steps are how we build calmer days.

DEAR THRIVE + …

Dear Thrive Momma
My child struggles with coordination and gets discouraged - especially around sports, handwriting, or “simple” tasks. At the same time, the holiday season makes everything feel louder and more stressful, and I’m trying to keep joy without burning out. How do I support my kid and keep myself steady?

Dear Steady:
Not knowing your full context, here’s my first response:

Name the effort out loud (daily).
“I saw you keep trying. That matters.” Confidence is built in small moments.
Change the environment, not the child.
If a task is hard, add supports: different tools, extra time, fewer steps, more practice breaks. Supports aren’t “spoiling”—they’re access.
Protect one small pocket of calm for you.
Even 5 minutes. One tea. One slow song. One “I’m not available for extra chaos right now.” Your steadiness is the anchor.

Copy/paste script (for teachers/coach/family):
“We’re noticing coordination tasks take extra effort. What supports can we try—extra time, different equipment, or breaking skills into smaller steps—so confidence stays intact while skills grow?”

SOMETHING FUN (interactive)

Tiny Crossword Clues (Holiday + Home Edition)
Fill in the answers (no grid needed—just reply with your list).

A tiny break that helps your nervous system reset (4 letters):
The best kind of “perfect” for families (4 letters):
What we do with a dress to keep the joy (6 letters):
A kind way to say “support tools” (13 letters, 2 words):

Hit reply with your answers - I’ll share the answer key next week.

CALLS TO ACTION

Try this next

Subscribe: https://www.thrivemommacoaching.com/newsletter
Share this with one parent/supporter who needs a calmer week.
Want more help on a theme? Reply with one word: Parenting / Neurodiversity / Balance / Self-Care / Routines

Thrive Offers

Share your voice (Survey):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1McfGusXdESGBolD5Om8YeAMhoMWql9glgfMBd-LoKHU/edit

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Deadline: Wednesday at 12:00 PM Atlantic (for Sunday’s 9:00 AM issue).
Email: [email protected]

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60–90 words (plain text)
1 link
1 sentence: “Who this is for”
Optional: discount code or free resource
Your business name + location or URL

Where the money goes:
100% of newsletter advertising proceeds are donated monthly to YWCA Canada (Registered Charity 88878 9393 RR0001).
Sponsored spots are always clearly labeled.

WEEKLY GIVING UPDATE (Ad Proceeds → YWCA Canada)

This week’s ad donations: $0
Month-to-date ad donations: $0
Rolling lifetime total donated (ads): $0
Next scheduled donation date: Friday, January 30, 2026 (monthly to YWCA Canada, Registered Charity 88878 9393 RR0001)

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Thrive Momma is evidence-informed, inclusive, and kind—because support should feel safe.

With you,
Elizabeth @ Thrive Momma Coaching