The Weekly Check-In That Could Save Your Sanity (and Maybe Your Relationship)
Spoiler: It doesn’t have to be deep, dramatic, or long. It just has to happen.
Let’s be real: parenting is a full-contact sport. And if you're in the thick of it — diapers, dishes, daycare, or big feelings from tiny humans — having a full adult conversation can feel impossible. When was the last time you finished a sentence? Or sat down with your partner without being interrupted by someone needing a snack or climbing the furniture?
But here’s the thing: you and your partner are co-pilots. And every team needs a huddle.
A weekly check-in is a short, structured, judgment-free moment to look at the week ahead, talk through what’s working (or not), and realign before everything goes sideways again.
It’s not about fixing everything. It’s about staying on the same team.
Why It Matters (Especially If One or Both of You Is Neurodivergent)
If you’re parenting with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, executive function challenges, or chronic overstimulation — these check-ins aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re access needs.
Neurodivergent brains often benefit from:
Clear expectations
Visual planning tools
Predictable rhythms
Space to process verbally (or nonverbally)
Reassurance and shared decision-making
A weekly check-in gives all that… in one short, consistent moment. No chaos. No guesswork. Just space to breathe, talk, and tag in.
Set the Scene: Low-Key, Low-Stakes, No Pressure
This is not a performance review. No one’s being graded. You’re just checking in so things don’t fester, fall apart, or silently morph into resentment.
Here’s what helps:
✅ Pick a time that’s quiet — maybe Sunday night after the kids are down, or Monday morning before the day begins.
✅ Have snacks or drinks on hand. Full bellies = less tension.
✅ Keep it short (15–30 minutes max). If one of you is tapped out, just hit the highlights and revisit later.
✅ Allow for different communication styles — talking, texting, voice notes, a shared doc. Whatever works.
A Simple Check-In Template (Totally Customizable)
Here’s a neurodivergent-friendly framework to start with — adapt as needed:
🔁 What's Working
“What felt good this week?”
“Where did we feel like a team?”
🧠 What's Feeling Hard
“Anything coming up for you emotionally or physically?”
“What support do you wish you had more of?”
📅 The Week Ahead
“What’s on the calendar?”
“What feels like too much?”
“Any tasks we can defer, cancel, or tag each other in on?”
💡 Reminders / Wins / Notes
“Don’t forget you have that appointment Wednesday.”
“The thing you did with bedtime — that really helped.”
“Let’s not schedule anything extra next weekend.”
The Magic Is in the Maintenance
Check-ins are like oil changes for your relationship. They don’t have to be perfect. They just have to happen regularly enough to keep things from grinding.
And if they fall off? That’s ok. Start again. That’s the whole point — building rhythms that can bend and flex with your family’s needs.
You Deserve a Partnership That Feels Like a Team
Parenting can be beautiful and brutal, sometimes in the same hour. A regular check-in is one small way to bring in more connection, collaboration, and calm.
And if one or both of you is neurodivergent? These aren’t just tools — they’re life rafts. You don’t need to do it all alone, and you definitely don’t need to remember everything in your head.
At TENDER.LY, we support the whole family — from late-night feeding plans to real-life communication strategies that make daily life feel less overwhelming. Whether you’re building routines, navigating the mental load, or just trying to eat a meal sitting down… we’re here to help.
Let’s make this parenting thing more supported. More collaborative. And a lot more human.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Want More Tips? Get the FREE Birth Planning for Neurodivergent Families!
This is just the beginning! My free guide walks you through setting up a low-demand, neurodivergent-friendly birth plan—so you can recover and care for your baby in a way that works for YOUR brain.
📥 Download your free guide here!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This blog was written by Alix, a dedicated doula in Montreal, Canada, and the founder of TENDER.LY. She provides expert pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant feeding support to help families feel confident and cared for. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating the fourth trimester, or looking for feeding guidance, Alix offers compassionate, personalized support.