We advocate for our children with disabilities at school, at the doctor’s office and countless other settings to get what they need. Many of us also choose to advocate to improve the policies and programs that impact the larger community. With full lives, adding the stress of being an advocate beyond your own family may seem overwhelming. We’re going to share some ideas from successful advocates to sustain your advocacy and avoid burnout.

Make it a Team Effort 

Find others in your community to support your efforts. This could be other parents and caregivers in your area, or professionals who can work with you. One parent suggested, “Utilize online support groups to find like-minded parents. Knowing you are not alone can truly make a difference.” 

Another great way to connect to other advocates is to participate in leadership and advocacy events or learning sessions. A couple of examples include Family Voices Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLI) or BPDD’s Partners in Policy Making. On the local level, attend your school district’s board of education meetings or legislator town hall meetings may provide an easy way to connect with other advocates who share your passion.  

Pace Yourself 

Real change takes time, and most things won’t happen overnight. One parent articulated this, “As a parent of two young kids, I have learned it’s important to not burn out early. Don’t give up because you do too much at the beginning or at one time. Advocacy requires a balance of assertive action and self-preservation.” Another mom told us, “Advocacy work is a marathon I’m learning, so I’m working on not feeling like I have to do everything urgently. I need to pace myself with what topics and what actions I can commit to at one time.”

Know your “Why” and Stay Focused 

A Wisconsin advocate stated, “If you have an itch or a drive inside you to advocate for your kids and your family, then that’s in you for a reason.” Keep in mind that none of us has the time or energy to tackle all the problems facing our world, so decide which is most important to you and stay focused on one or two issues.  A parent told us, “It’s important to know what you can do, what is possible and accepting what is not possible.”

Find the Tools to Stay Organized 

A little organization goes a long way. It can decrease your stress, allow you to see your progress, and size up your group’s workload. A parent who was part of WiFLI  shared that she often uses online tools like the Notes App (for Apple users) or Google Keep App to keep her life running smoothly, especially while she is away from home or on the go. 

Practice Self-Care/Disconnect 

This means taking breaks and disconnecting from your efforts. A parent expressed her views on self-care this way, “I have to give myself permission to turn it off and not let ‘it’ [the battle for what I want to protect for my family] consume me 100% of the time.” A long-time advocate shared, “It’s important to find a village of support. This doesn’t have to be a fellow parent or advocate, but someone who feeds your soul in other ways. This allows you to disconnect from the advocacy work to regenerate and rejuvenate.” Another family leader stated, “Recognize your waning commitment to advocacy when it happens. It’s okay to step back and take a break.”

Finally, Celebrate Your Success! 

When change happens and your advocacy efforts make a difference, take time to fully appreciate the win! Even small wins matter and may lead to bigger changes over time. A parent told us, “Find ways to reward your success to honor your hard work. Incorporate those small [or big] activities into your daily, weekly, and/or monthly schedules for impact.”

• • • Thank you to the following advocates for their contributions to this article: Ashley Hoover (Waukesha), Kristin Voss (Middleton) and Lisa Math (Family Network on Disabilities of Florida)