The Late-Night Research Grind Mistakes

1. Over-Reliance on Internet Research: You aren't confident in being able to speak up for your child without bringing another research article to the IEP meeting.
2. Ignoring Expert Guidance: Believing that you "should" be able to figure out this advocacy game out by yourself. You believe you just have to do more research to figure this out.
3. More Info, Less Impact Trap: Not realizing that compiling more information doesn't equate to effective advocacy; it's how you use that information strategically that creates change.

The Emotional Rollercoaster Mistakes

1. The Last Straw Snap:
   Without realizing it, you're stepping into IEP meetings with your worries packed away, trying to keep cool.
   
   And then, out of the blue, a single word hits a nerve, and suddenly, you find yourself raising your voice, leaning forward, and letting all those pent-up feelings spill over.

    2. The Lone Ranger Rumble:
   You're diving into these meetings solo, surrounded by a team of staff.
   
   When the talk gets tough, you're the only one without a teammate to give you a nod or a quick word of encouragement.

   You're unintentionally carrying the whole emotional load without a co-pilot to help navigate the bumpy ride.

   3. Emotional Reactions:
   You arrive at the meeting feeling confident with notes and a list of points to cover. As the discussion heats up, your responses become reactive rather than thoughtful.
   
   You're scrambling, reacting to each point as it comes, rather than steering the conversation with prepared, calm responses.

    

The Never-Ending Advocacy Loop Mistakes

1.   The Echo Chamber Effect:
   Without awareness, in the face of unanswered emails and IEP meetings that lead nowhere, you might be echoing the same requests or using the same approach in every interaction. You're stuck on repeat without even realizing it, asking for the same things in the same way at every meeting. It's like your messages are on a loop, and the school team starts to tune you out.
2. The Vague Game: Lack of Specificity: You often communicate your concerns in broad terms. Unfortunately, vague requests can lead to vague solutions—or worse, no action at all.
3. The Muffled Message: When Your Concerns Get Lost in Translation: You feel like you're speaking, but no one's listening. Whether it's in an email or a face-to-face meeting, if your words aren't hitting home, your concerns will be misunderstood or disregarded.

The Second-Guessing Game Mistakes

1. Over-Analysis: Constantly replaying meetings in your head without constructive reflection can lead to self-doubt.
2. Skipping the Recap: Not sitting down to sort out the wins and oopsies after a meeting means you might keep tripping over the same hurdles.
3. Comparison Trap: Measuring your advocacy against others can lead to unnecessary self-criticism and undermine your confidence.

The good news is, by recognizing and understanding these mistakes, you can take steps to avoid them.

Want some better news? YOU don't have to navigate this complex,

broken education system alone.