Why I Created Thrive Creations

 

From one SEN parent to another – this is how it all began.

 

Starting Thrive Creations wasn’t a carefully mapped-out business decision. It came from a place of deep personal struggle, raw emotion, and the kind of day that leaves a mark on your heart. It was born from the messiness of motherhood - especially motherhood when you're parenting a child with additional needs.

 

A while back, I was pouring my energy into a different dream — a personalised storybook business. I was passionate, committed, and excited to finally work on something that gave me purpose. But no matter how hard I tried, it just wasn’t taking off. The ideas were there, but the reality of creating custom illustrations and printing affordably made it impossible to move forward the way I’d hoped. It was heartbreaking. Letting go of that business felt like letting go of a piece of myself — the part that craved creativity and direction.

 

At the same time, things at home were tough. Really tough.

 

Devan’s behaviour was at an all-time low. Meltdowns were becoming more frequent, and I felt like I was constantly firefighting without any tools. As a mum of a neurodivergent child, I was desperate for something — a way to track what was happening, understand his triggers, and feel even a little more in control.

 

One rainy October afternoon stands out. We were at a friend’s house, and things just spiralled. Devan wasn’t listening, I didn’t know how to respond, and I ended up reacting out of pure overwhelm. We both left in tears. I was heartbroken over the way it unfolded and how powerless I felt as a special needs parent trying to cope without support.

 

Back home, I held my son tightly. He cried. I cried. We said sorry. But the weight of it all didn’t lift easily. I sat in my room afterwards, feeling lost. I knew I didn’t want to keep feeling this way. I didn’t want to keep just surviving the hard days. I didn’t want to be the mum who yelled or broke down — I wanted to understand my child, support him, and show up better. 

 

I needed something more — a practical support tool for SEN parenting. A way to track meltdowns, sleep, moods, meetings, dietary changes — the real things that impact our days as families with additional needs. Something to help me build strategies that worked and reflect on the small wins. But when I looked for a journal or planner like that, it didn’t exist.

 

That night, it all clicked. My failed business. My desperate need as a mum. My background in special needs education. And my desire to help other parents who felt like I did. What if I stopped trying to fit into a space that wasn’t mine — and created something that was?

 

That’s how Don’t Just Survive: Thrive | The Ultimate Journal for SEN Mums was born.

 

It started as something I needed for myself — a calming, empowering space to regroup and take action as a mum of a child with additional needs. But as the idea grew, so did my belief that I wasn’t the only one searching for these tools. There were thousands of parents, just like me, navigating the rollercoaster of SEN parenting — feeling exhausted, unseen, and unsure where to turn.

 

I created Thrive Creations to change that.

 

This isn’t just a journal or a planner. It’s a lifeline. A gentle companion. A way to move from just surviving each day to actually thriving in the middle of it all.

---

If you're navigating a similar season, know that you’re not alone — and Thrive Creations is here to support you every step of the way.

All my love,
Sharona