Dr Rosie Gilderthorp

Dr Rosie Gilderthorp I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a mission to help parents who love work and their families to stop apologising and start enjoying life more. Therapy. Consultancy.

I can support your mental wellbeing through pregnancy and back into work. Hypnobirthing.

04/08/2026

Every Tuesday this summer, I'm testing a piece of naff parenting advice and telling you honestly why it didn't work in our house 👀⁠
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This week: ignore the meltdown, and it'll stop 👍⁠
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It's such common advice because it sounds reasonable on paper. But a meltdown means a nervous system that's completely overwhelmed, before the words have come back. That's the moment a child needs someone right there, not ignored.⁠
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What's the worst advice you've been given about meltdowns? 🤔

When I sent my eldest off for her first day of reception, I was extremely worried for her. I knew she was developmentall...
31/07/2026

When I sent my eldest off for her first day of reception, I was extremely worried for her. I knew she was developmentally very different from her peers and I couldn’t imagine how she would cope.

But they told me she was “fine” when she was there.

So I gaslit myself for another year. Believing I was somehow causing problems at home.

I wish I could go back and join the dots in my own head. To give myself the confidence then that I’ve earned over the past five years.

Maybe I could have helped her more and we could have avoided the EBSA that followed.

And that’s why I’m here, just in case you needed to hear from someone else that you are the expert, and if you think they are not fine, then they aren’t, and you all deserve support. Now. Not when the wheels fall off completely!

Share with a parent who might need to hear this 🫶

Why am I always tired? Why am I 39 but feel 20 years older than I did when I was 35? 😅⁠⁠Nobody hands you the job descrip...
29/07/2026

Why am I always tired? Why am I 39 but feel 20 years older than I did when I was 35? 😅⁠
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Nobody hands you the job description. You just slowly realise that on top of parenting, you have taken on about six other roles, none of them paid, most of them invisible to outsiders.⁠
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If you are tired, this is why. ⁠
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Save this for a day when the world makes you feel like you are not doing enough. You very much are.⁠
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Which role would you add? 👇

27/07/2026

Thinking of going on holiday with ND kids for the first time?⁠
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Until a few years ago, I planned holidays like all the other parents I knew did. At the last minute, prioritising fun. ⁠
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That did not work out well for us!⁠
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In recent years, I’ve learned that thinking through how I can keep my kids feeling safe in advance has a hugely beneficial impact on my ability to enjoy the holiday I’ve paid a ton of money for. ⁠
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I actually enjoy a day playing Minecraft in a new setting with my son laughing and joking with me FAR more than I enjoy a guided nature walk with my son trying to run away because the people are terrifying him.⁠
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Who’d have guessed?! 😅⁠
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What do you do now to make holidays more fun that you wish you’d known when you were earlier in your journey as a ND parent? 👇

24/07/2026

I knew our holidays had to change when I couldn't swallow my pizza because I was so stressed trying to look normal, and failing, in a restaurant all my kids wanted to run away from!⁠
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I'd love to hear from other parents and carers of autistic and ADHD kids.⁠
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Finish this sentence in the comments: I knew our summer holidays had to change when…⁠
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Your story might be exactly what another parent needs to read to feel less alone this week 🫶

23/07/2026

If you're looking at the summer holidays with a knot in your stomach, please know you're not a bad parent!⁠
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Follow if you need a psychologist in your pocket reminding you that finding this hard doesn't mean you're doing it wrong 🫶

17/07/2026

Stress stays in the body, and summer already asks a lot from children who rely on rhythm, predictability and enough space to come back to themselves.⁠
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Parents of ND kids often need to think like athletes.⁠
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The recovery is part of the plan 💪⁠
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Do recovery days help in your house too? 🤔

16/07/2026

Dear SEND parent: you're allowed to cancel that club, activity or booking, even if it cost money, if your gut says your autistic or ADHD child can't cope today ❤️⁠
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I have forced all of us through many activities that did nothing but deplete us all. Then a friend pointed out to me that I could just give myself permission to cancel. Life-changing.⁠
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Going to an activity everyone hates costs time, emotional energy and money. Cancelling only costs money you already spent! 😉⁠
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Making a pact with the other adults in your family that you'll joyfully ditch plans in the name of everyone's sanity can genuinely transform your summer.⁠
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Comment SUBSTACK for the full low-demand holiday guide you can adapt to your family 👇

09/07/2026

When you’re parenting neurodivergent children, holidays often need more planning, more recovery time, more flexibility and far less comparison!⁠
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A good holiday might not mean everyone is relaxed all day.⁠
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It might mean you found a few small moments of connection in the middle of the hard bits 🫶⁠
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Follow for honest, practical support for parenting Autistic and ADHD children through summer, from a clinical psychologist and parent who gets it

03/07/2026

It was hard to come up with the TOP 5! What would make your list as a parent to autsitic/adhd kids? 👇

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