Building Community for Autism Moms with Sabrina Bonaparte of Monochromatic Mommies

Ep #122 — Building Community for Autism Moms with Sabrina Bonaparte of Monochromatic Mommies Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series 🖤What do you do when you love your child fiercely, but no one around you understands what your life actually looks like now?Sabrina Bonaparte built Monochromatic Mommies — a nonprofit supporting mothers of children with autism and special needs — after her son Aiden was diagnosed at age two and she realized there were plenty of resources for him, but almost none for her. What started as a Facebook post looking for other moms who understood has grown into a nonprofit spanning 15 states, with a recent grant to match.What We Talk AboutHow a Facebook group of 25 moms turned into a nonprofit, and the story behind the name — pulled straight from a dream and the surprising biology of flamingosWhy "maternal wellness" looks completely different depending on each family's needs, and how Sabrina works to integrate rest into moms' lives in five-minute increments, not spa daysThe unexpected turn: Sabrina's own burnout story, including the panic attacks that led her to a psychiatrist, and how she's learned to set — and defend — real boundariesIf you love origin stories that don't skip the scary parts, this episode is for you.All about Sabrina BonaparteWe love Sabrina and you will too! She's a storyteller, creative visionary, and founder of Monochromatic Mommies, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mothers raising children with autism and special needs. Her work centers on maternal wellness, healing through storytelling, and creating spaces for women to feel connected, empowered, and understood — turning her own experience with her son Aiden's diagnosis into a mission to make sure caregivers get care too.Things We MentionedMonochromatic Mommies — monochromaticmommies.com (free to join; donation and partnership info on the site)The Spectrum Story Series — Sabrina's storytelling initiative for moms to share their journeys (currently being moved to the blog section of the website)Chapters00:09 — Celebrating Black Business Month02:08 — The Birth of Monochromatic Mommies09:43 — Supporting Mothers in Need15:27 — Establishing Boundaries and Community Support19:31 — The Need for Community Support and Expansion25:41 — Navigating Maternal Burnout35:13 — The Importance of Storytelling in Motherhood37:04 — Understanding Autism: Awareness and Diagnosis44:29 — Navigating Sensory Needs and Early Development46:14 — The Vision for Monochromatic MommiesThis series is supported by Off the Grid, a podcast for small business owners who want to leave social media without losing their clients. Find them at offthegrid.fun 🖤Connect with Sabrina BonaparteWebsite: monochromaticmommies.comIG: @monochromaticmommiesStay Connected 📬 Get the noseyAF Dispatch → Subscribe here 🏡 Grab the Good Neighbor Playbook → Download it freeMore ways to connectEmail: [email protected] on IG: @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodes: noseyaf.comSupport & Feedback noseyAF is listener-supported; thank you for being here. 💛🫶🏾 ⭐ Rate & Review the Show 📣 Share noseyAF with a friend who needs to hear thisEpisode Credits Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Stephanie Graham Lyrics: Queen Lex Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam Cover Art: Emma McGoldrick