In her latest vlog, Candy Pangilinan opened up about her emotional fatigue while caring for her autistic son, Quentin. The video captures a tearful moment as she navigates Quentin's meltdown, revealing a raw glimpse into the realities faced by most ausome parents.
ALSO READ: ‘I Learned That Love Needs No Words': Lessons From Our Ausome Children
Candy and Quentin's Emotional Exchange
Candy and her son's exchange unfolded during a car ride. As Quentin became more upset and had a tantrum, his mom, overwhelmed by exhaustion, couldn't help but cry. Her emotional plea, "Pagod na nga kasi si mom, tama na!" showed just how tired she was.
Throughout their exchange, Candy tried to reason with Quentin. "Napapagod na si mommy," she said through her tears. "Hindi ka na makuha sa mabuting usapan. Hindi ka na makuha sa galit."
Then the conversation shifted as she expressed how hard she's working for him. "Alam mo ba, Quentin, nagta-trabaho ng mabuti si Mommy para sa 'yo?" she asked him.
She continued, "Alam mo ba kung bakit gusto kitang mag-trabaho? Kasi kapag nawala si Mommy, paano na si Quentin?" "Kailangan matuto ka. Nag-iipon si Mommy para kay Quentin, naiintindihan mo ako?"
Once things settled down, Quentin thanked her and asked, "Do you forgive me? Sorry po. Hindi ko na uulitin. Are you mad at me?" to which Candy replied, "Wala akong lakas magalit."
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Once things settled down, Quentin thanked her and asked, "Do you forgive me? Sorry po. Hindi ko na uulitin. Are you mad at me?" to which Candy replied, "Wala akong lakas magalit."
The celebrity mom revealed that it was the first time she had been honest with Quentin about feeling "drained and tired."
"He really seemed to understand," Candy noticed, especially when she saw how his behavior changed. "He doesn't want to see me cry," she added. "Parents can get tired, but we can't give up. I just showed Quentin how vulnerable I can be. It's working. He's trying to help."
Candy has always been open on social media about raising her son. Besides being his mom, she also takes on the role of his teacher.
How You Can Help "Ausome" Parents During Meltdowns
In this Smart Parenting article, ausome parents, who are also part of the Smart Parenting Village, a community of over 110,000 members, offer advice on how others can support them during meltdowns.
One of the most appreciated actions is a simple smile, rather than a stare. Mommy Jen, a mother in the community, shared how meaningful small gestures like this can be. She explained, "Better din if 'wag na titigan and hayaan na lang kami at unawain kasi stressed na rin kami."
Another important aspect of offering support is knowing when and how to help. Mommy Hannah recognized that situations like these can be intimidating, especially for those unfamiliar with autism or meltdowns. She suggested offering help from a safe and respectful distance to avoid overwhelming the child. "A simple 'Is there anything I can do?' or even eye contact with a reassuring nod can mean the world to a struggling parent," she said.
Equally important is educating others about autism. In the article, a mom shared how she made an effort to educate her 7-year-old daughter about children with autism.
You can help in many ways, but remember, the most important thing is to approach these situations with empathy and a willingness to offer support without judgment. Ausome parents already have so much on their plates, and what they definitely don’t need is backseat parenting or unsolicited advice.
Click here to read this "ausome" family's inspiring story.
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