Sharne

About Me

We're a warm, energetic, and neurodivergent family passionate about fostering autonomy, equality, and mutual respect in our home. Our parenting approach is rooted in collaboration and understanding, especially tailored to support our eldest son (8), who is AuDHD with a PDA profile ( PDA = need for greater autonomy) .

He thrives in environments where he's treated as an equal partner, with minimal direct instruction and ample space for self-direction. Building a trusting, non-judgmental relationship is key to his cooperation and well-being. We value caregivers who can hang back, co-regulate emotions, remain patient during moments of dysregulation, and provide a calming presence without taking emotional expressions personally.

Our eldest enjoys creating intricate storylines with his Hot Wheels cars, inventing his own math concepts, and engaging in imaginative play. He often spends hours immersed in these activities, and also enjoys watching TV to learn about social behaviors, playing in the garden, and occasional forest adventures. He also spends a great deal of time on his iPad to engage with creative games like Minecraft. We view this as a positive outlet for his autonomy needs creativity and problem-solving skills, and we seek someone who shares our supportive outlook on the use of technology in children's development. While he is intellectually advanced, his emotional development is approximately 3 to 5 years behind. This asynchronous development means he may require additional patience and understanding, as he navigates complex ideas with the emotional regulation of a younger child.

Our youngest (5) is spirited, sociable, and full of energy. He delights in ninja play, sword martial arts, Lego building, drawing, dancing, cooking, and creating. He loves close-play interactions and engaging conversations, often bringing joy and laughter to those around him. He exhibits subtle signs of ADHD, including heightened sensitivity and emotional intensity, which he tends to express primarily with trusted adults. This underscores the importance of establishing a secure, empathetic relationship to support his emotional well-being.

Both boys are very talkative, expressive, imaginative, and enjoy sharing their thoughts and stories. They are very self-directed in their play and learning; we play alongside our kids and would like someone who can do the same, as the children have an equal voice in our home.

We're seeking someone who can seamlessly become an extension of our family—someone open-minded, affectionate, and eager to learn about neurodiversity, particularly the nuances of PDA. Your role would involve supporting our eldest one day a week (as he's not in full-time school) and occasionally caring for our youngest. Please note, the role will require increased hours during times when my husband travels.

If you're patient, a good listener, and excited to engage with two vibrant and unique children, we'd love to hear from you!