I Quit These 5 Bad Habits And Became a Better Parent
By Led Bradshaw, Jetpulse Studios
Parenting a child on the autism spectrum hasn’t been a walk in the park — and if I’m honest, some of my own habits were holding both me and my son, Jake, back. I decided to make a change. I looked in the mirror, challenged myself, and walked away from five specific habits that weren’t serving us.
Today I’m sharing those habits — not because I’ve “arrived,” but because I learned, adapted, and grew. And yes: I still stumble sometimes. But the difference is now I’m aware. I’m present. I’m intentional. And the payoff? Our connection is deeper, his creativity is blooming, and I’m a better father.
Habit #1: Reacting Instead of Responding
When I’d feel overwhelmed, frustrated or misunderstood, I often raised my voice or snapped without thinking. My first vow:
Make space before I speak. I remember one evening: Jake melted down because his superhero figurine was missing. My first instinct was anger at the mess. But I took a breath, knelt beside him, asked about his feelings, and together we found the figure. That moment changed me.
Habit #2: Doing For Rather Than With
In my effort to protect and help Jake, I used to do tasks for him that he could do — which meant he lost opportunities to learn independence.
My new rule: Step back, assist, then let him try. It’s changed our dynamic. Instead of “I’ll just get it done,” I ask: “How can I help you do this?”
Habit #3: Neglecting My Own Needs
I thought being a “Super-Dad” meant I must always be strong, always put Jake first, always go. But a dad who’s running on empty can’t help his child soar.
So I started: One hour a week for myself — no guilt. Whether reading, hiking, or sketching ideas for our superhero universe, it’s vital. My energy, my calm, my creativity — Jake feels it.
Habit #4: Treating Mistakes as Failures
When Jake struggled to read a new word or froze during a sensory challenge, I used to feel defeated. Now I teach:
Mistakes are part of the story — not the end of it. I turn our setbacks into “mission debriefs.” We pause, talk about what happened, what we learned, and what’s next. It builds resilience.
Habit #5: Living in Isolation
Once people learned Jake’s autism diagnosis, fewer invitations came. I felt the phone stop ringing. I stayed in a cocoon, thinking I needed to fix everything myself. I realized:
Community is a superpower. I started sharing our journey — my fears, his wins, our superhero art sessions — with other parents, educators, and kids. Now I know we’re not alone, and neither are you.
Why This Works
Breaking these habits didn’t just better my parenting; it improved our relationship, increased Jake’s confidence, and helped me step into the kind of father I want to be.
I still use my “Super-Dad Mindset” every day: staying curious, staying creative, staying connected.
If you’re reading this as a parent of a neurodivergent child, know this: changing your habits changes your story. And your story becomes theirs.
📝 Free Worksheet: Find the Better Version of Yourself
Download this printable worksheet to help you explore the habits you’re ready to quit and the habits you’re ready to build.
Download Free PDF Worksheet →
How to Use It:
Identify 2–3 habits you want to quit (from this list or your own).
Reflect on why you have each habit and what its impact has been.
Replace each habit with a new action (write it in the “better habit” section).
Plan a realistic step or small change for this week.
Track your progress at the end of the week: What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?
Your Habit-Change Template
Bad HabitWhy I Do ItNew Habit I ChooseFirst Step This WeekExample: Reacting instead of calmingI get overwhelmed when things aren’t perfectPause and ask how my son is feeling firstSet timer for 5 min when frustrated
Final Thought
You don’t have to be perfect — just present.
Every time you make a small change, you’re showing your child that growth is possible. Creativity isn’t just Jake’s superpower; it’s ours.
Here’s to the habits we quit — and the habits we choose next.
