On The Hard Days
294 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 156 ratingsIf you're raising an out-of-the-box kid, you've likely struggled with doubt, guilt, and shame in your motherhood. "Am I crazy?" you've likely wondered. "What am I doing wrong?" You've probably never met another mother raising a neurodiverse child like yours, and truth be told, your mental health has suffered. Host Megan Champion gets it and has a mission to bring connection and support to mothers raising neurodiverse children. Each week, a brave and vulnerable mom shares her story to the world, in the hopes of helping listeners feel seen, heard, and validated. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, if you feel lonely in your motherhood journey, On The Hard Days is for you. Follow Megan @on.the.hard.days on Instagram for personalized messages of hope and support (DMs are ALWAYS open!). Then subscribe to On The Hard Days and share the show with other moms in the trenches. No one knows our kids better than we do, and we are MEANT to be their mothers!
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Episodes
Ep.202 Mom Chantelle Stieghan on Facing Motherhood Struggles With Humor & Rolling With the (Literal) Punches
December 04, 2023 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBAbout This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Chantelle. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The lack of support when living in a foreign country -When doctors have never heard of the struggles your child is facing -Eating disorders as part of being neurodivergent -How ADHD can look so different in different kids -How emotional it is to feel alone in your struggles -Trying to advocate for your child...
Ep.201 Mom Felicia Watkins on Stopping the Cycles of Self-Gaslighting and Judging How She Parents Her Neurodivergent Kids
November 27, 2023 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBAbout This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Felicia. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Raising multiple children with Autism -Learning how to stop self-gaslighting when looking at your child's struggles -The exhaustion she feels from trying to meet the needs of all of her kids -Rolling with the punches while establishing your household "norms" -How she's practicing self-love with less judgement ...
Ep.200!! Celebrating 200 Episodes With Megan Through Vulnerability & Validation
November 13, 2023 18:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBAbout This Episode: I'm celebrating 200 episodes today - join me as I reflect on how sharing stories brings us the crucial validation we need. ** HUGE NEWS!! Our next Mothers Together "Open House" is coming up at the end of the year! At Open House, you'll walk away with actual connections to real moms just like you AND the validation you deserve but often don't receive. I'm thrilled to be able to bring you a taste of how inclusive, safe, and judgment-free the Mothers Together community is....
Ep.199 Mom Stephanie Fluger on Asking For Help: Learning to Let Go of Control, Shed Guilt & Anger, and Actually Take Care of Yourself
October 30, 2023 04:00 - 41 minutes - 22.9 MBAbout This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Stephanie. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The hardships of raising a non-verbal toddler and a baby during Covid with very limited resources. -Relearning how to ask for help and take care of herself as a stay-at-home mom. -When everything just feels like too much -Feeling like we have to do everything and letting go of control -Why did she feel so an...
Ep.198 Mom Cathy Shields on Acceptance & Understanding of a Neurodivergent Young Adult
October 23, 2023 17:00 - 50 minutes - 27.4 MBAbout This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Cathy. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Please shower Cathy with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story. Find Cathy at cathyshieldswriter.com! ** HUGE NEWS!! Our next Mothers Together "Open House" is coming up at the end of the year! At Open House, you'll walk away with actual connections to real moms just like you AND the validation you deserve but ofte...
Ep.197 Dad Rob Gorski on the "Sudden Detour" of a Massive Regression & Parenting the Kid, Not the Diagnosis
October 16, 2023 04:00 - 55 minutes - 28.3 MBAbout This Episode: Today's brand new episode features a dad!! I'm talking with Dad Rob Gorski. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -How challenging a massive regression was for him to process -How fevers brought back the "old" child - and going through the grief all over again -What "survival mode" looked like for him -How he channeled his struggles into writing and podcasting -What life looked like as a single dad - and ...
Ep.196 Mom Taylor Alexander on Surviving & Prioritizing What's Important When Managing a Whole Family With ADHD
October 09, 2023 16:00 - 39 minutes - 19.5 MBAbout This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Taylor. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -How she received an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and what ADHD looks like for her -How ADHD looks differently in girls vs. boys -The process of acquiring stimulant medication for multiple people in the family at the same time. -How hard it is to leave the house as a family - always preparing for the worst-case s...
Ep.195 On The Hard Days is BACK! Here's The Update!
October 08, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 9.87 MBAfter a hiatus, we're back, my friends! I'm thrilled to be pushing out new episodes to you starting TOMORROW and every Monday after that. **You're invited to the Mothers Together "Open House", a virtual gathering to give you a taste of what my Mothers Together community is all about. Be sure to get on the email list, as I'll be sending out more information soon. Go to mothers-together.com/openhouse to sign up!
Ep.194 (Replay): Dad Brent Nohl on How Therapy & Meds For YOU Help Your Neurodivergent Kids Become the Best Versions of Themselves
August 07, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBAbout This Episode: Dad Bren was the first in a series of dads to join me on the show. He was so vulnerable in sharing what it's like from a dad's perspective to raise a neurodivergent child with challenging behaviors. I'm so excited to you all to hear what he has to say - and if YOU know a dad who might benefit from hearing Brent's story, please send him this episode! Here's just some of what we discussed: -Frightening febrile seizures -Play therapy experience with a child with severe ADHD...
Ep.193 Mom Courtney Welsh on How Working Through Post-Natal Depression Helped Shape a Positive Mindset to Raise Her Neurodivergent Child
July 24, 2023 04:00 - 51 minutes - 28.5 MB"I could only find people talking about all the negatives or all the positives. There was no middle ground." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Courtney. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -What apraxia of speech looked like in her child -Loneliness during the postnatal depression period -How she handled judgmental comments from others -Finding a balance of what to share and how to share...
Ep.192 Mom Hannah Mira on How Learning About & Understanding *Herself* Through a Late Autism Diagnosis & Therapy Has Changed How She Parents Her Neurodivergent Kid
July 10, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 27.4 MB"It's not about being a perfect parent - it's about being a reflective parent." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Hannah. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Learning about yourself as a neurodivergent mom to help understand your child -How challenging it is to advocate for your child -Transitions can be so tough - how she handles them -Repairing with your child (often) -How therapy (an...
Ep.191 Mom Caroline on Adjusting Your Expectations as a Military Spouse & Facing Your Own Mental Health Diagnosis as a Mental Health Professional
July 03, 2023 04:00 - 55 minutes - 30.7 MB"I could do it all, but I deserve to not have to." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Caroline. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Life as a military spouse during deployment -Sensory struggles, feeding disorders, and Autism -Infancy trauma (sick with RSV, traumatic birth) - how does that fit with who a child is? -Facing your own mental health struggles as a mental health professional -...
Ep.190 Mom Vanessa Dittman on Living a Life of Daily Triage & Trauma With a Medically Complex, Neurodivergent Child With Behavioral Challenges (Even With the Support of a Service Dog)
June 26, 2023 04:00 - 51 minutes - 29.4 MB"He gets into almost life-ending harm often...there's a whole list of behaviors that are just really scary." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Vanessa. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -What behaviors are caused by genetic mutations vs. Autism/ADHD, etc? -Constantly monitoring her child's heart health and the stress that causes -How a service dog has vastly improved their home -The st...
Ep.189 Mom Brittney Smith on Managing Her Stress Levels In Helping Her Child With Extreme Sensory Needs & Food Struggles
June 19, 2023 04:00 - 42 minutes - 24.4 MB"You have to look for the joy....it is there, it can be found. But you have to look for it - it's easy to miss if you don't." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Brittney. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Severe sensory issues around food when her child was a toddler and started feeding therapy -Bowel issues and not taking basic bodily functions for granted -The importance of finding t...
Ep.188 Mama Monday: Mom Jeannie Ewing On Shifting Expectations, Accepting Regressions, And Riding The Rollercoaster Of Emotions As A Parent Of Neurodivergent Kids
June 12, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 24.7 MB"I had to grieve the loss of the life I thought we were going to have." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Jeannie. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Jeannie shares her personal journey of struggling with infertility and having five children, three of whom have been diagnosed with neurodiversity, including a rare genetic condition called Apert Syndrome. -The importance of having a sup...
Ep.187 Mama Monday: Mom Whitney Price on How Finding The Right Community, Educational Fit, and Therapies Make All The DIfference in Raising a Neurodivergent Child
June 05, 2023 04:00 - 40 minutes - 20.6 MB"There's going to be a lot of negative...you have to find your own positive." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Whitney. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The impact of the pandemic on her son's therapy and evaluations -The need for accessible resources, therapies, and emotional support groups for families with children on the autism spectrum -The role of therapy for Whitney in build...
Ep.186 Mama Monday: Mom Lisa Candera on "Sanity Management" and Redirecting Our Brains Away from Worrying & Catastrophizing About Our Neurodivergent Kids
May 29, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 19.9 MB"Our brains will always find the junk aisle of thoughts." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Lisa. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Growing up with a neurodivergent sibling -What it's like in the early years with a "hit the ground running" mentality, trying various approaches, programs, and therapies through trial and error. -How her fear and sadness were often suppressed by staying...
Ep.185 Mama Monday: Mom Lauren Goeke on the Brokenness of the Educational & Medical Systems, Lack of Holistic Approaches to Treating Neurodivergent Kids, and How This Motivates Her to Keep Going
May 22, 2023 04:00 - 39 minutes - 24.4 MB"Safety cannot be the reason why a place is not a good fit." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Lauren. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The realization that not everyone is on your team -How daycare settings can have a lack of safety protocols and understanding from educators about neurodivergent children. -The use of correct educational terminology to effectively communicate a child...
Ep.184 Mother's Day Special: It's Okay To Grieve & Feel Disappointed In This Day
May 15, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBAbout This Episode: Happy Belated Mother's Day, my friends. This is a different sort of episode - in fact, it's taken from my Sunday Night Share Instagram Live, which turned into a bit of a therapy session for all of us. If Mother's Day brings lots of mixed feelings, this is the episode for you. Please share this episode with a mom who needs to hear this message! I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podca...
Ep.183 Mama Monday: Mom Breanna Akers on Taking Care of Your Mental Health & Staying True to Your Identity When Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kids
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 58 minutes - 33.1 MB"We have to really know what's important, and what not to add in." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Breanna. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The challenges of homeschooling her children while dealing with a demanding work schedule and managing their needs at the same time. -The role of flexibility in managing her kids' sensory needs and dysregulation. -How Breanna takes care of her...
Ep.182 Mama Monday: Mom Lahren Rogers on How Standing Your Ground, Setting Boundaries, AND Cultivating Relationships Are the Keys to Successfully Advocating For Your Neurodivergent Child
May 01, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 35.3 MB"Everything my children have been diagnosed with has been me going to a doctor and saying, 'This is what's going on. And I need you to confirm it.'" About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Lahren. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Lahren's journey of raising three neurodivergent boys -Challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children in getting a diagnosis -Lack of understanding and su...
Ep.181 Mama Monday: Mom Brittney on Managing the Mental Load Of Meeting Your Kids' Needs While Finding Your Own Voice At The Same Time
April 24, 2023 04:00 - 58 minutes - 32.9 MB"Let them write their story. Let them decide who they're going to be." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Brittney. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -When you question yourself as a mother - are you cut out for this journey? -Learning how to find your voice -Helping your partner through the grief and acceptance of a diagnosis -Reframing what your ND kids can't do to find a positive out...
Ep.180 Mama Monday: Mom Christie Dilks on Learning How to Advocate, Not Just For Your Neurodivergent Child, But For Their Siblings & Yourself
April 17, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 28.8 MB"It's not what they want, it's what they need. And that's what it's about at the end of the day." *Click the link to sign up for my free webinar "Struggling to Raise a Neurodivergent Kid? The #1 Way to Put Yourself First When You Feel Like You're Last", happening live on Zoom on Friday, April 21st at 8pm EST! Can't wait to see you! About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Christie. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of ...
Ep.179 Mama Monday: Mom Melissa Schoenherr on Her Rock-Bottom Parenting Moment With Her Neurodivergent Child and What She Learned About *Herself* From It
April 10, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 23.9 MB"You can be upset and having a hard day and still be a good mom." *Sign up for my free webinar "Struggling to Raise a Neurodivergent Kid? The #1 Way to Put Yourself First When You Feel Like You're Last", happening live on Zoom on Friday, April 21st at 8pm EST! Can't wait to see you! About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Melissa. I loved this whole conversation and really appreciated her vulnerability in a tough situation. Here are just some of the topics we...
Ep.178 Mama Monday: Mom Molly Kellogg on Managing Anger & Emotional Intensity With an Intellectually Gifted Child
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 34.3 MB"I feel like I want to make t-shirts that say, 'Don't poke the bear'." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Molly. I loved this whole conversation and found it so relatable. I think you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -When you have a gifted, highly emotional child -Understanding where the anger your child has comes from -Dealing with feelings of confusion and envy of other moms' lives -What her child needs as someone who is 2E -Try...
Ep.177 Mama Monday: Mom Kahrissa Taylor on Forced Resilience in Survival Mode - When Taking Care of Yourself Isn't an Option, Vulnerability is Key
March 27, 2023 11:00 - 43 minutes - 24.9 MB"I'm treading water. I'm surviving. That's all I have right now." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Kahrissa. She talks about what true survival looks like in her life - and what she wishes she could change. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -How being vulnerable allowed others to help her -What "survival" looks like in her house -Life with daily doctor appointments, meltdowns, Autism, FPIES, and complex medical needs -When "being resilient"...
Ep.176 Father Friday: Dad Benjamin Wiles on Prioritizing Your Relationships With All Your Children & Trusting Your Intuition in Decision-Making
March 24, 2023 04:00 - 40 minutes - 20.9 MB"Don't ever doubt your intuition." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Benjamin and I just loved what he had to say about raising neurodivergent kids. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -How having multiple children spread over different ages allows them to help each other -Trying to catch your kid up on missed milestones -Balancing the needs of all your kids -Quality over quantity of time spent together -Figuring out your priorities f...
Ep.175 Bonus: Mom Gabriele on Raising Multiple Neurodivergent Kids Under 5 and How Connection & Community Helped Her See Them In A New Light
March 22, 2023 04:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBAbout This Episode: Bonus!! This is an extra episode from a conversation taken straight from my recent Instagram Live with Mom Gabriele. Two of her young children are neurodivergent, and for a long time, she felt her mental health suffering. Take a listen to how she feels now, and how she finds and appreciates every little positive moment with her children thanks to the connections she's made with other moms in Mothers Together. April registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! ...
Ep.174 Mama Monday (Part 2): Mom Estelle Emond on Dealing With Clutter, Balancing Everyone's Different Needs, and Practicing "Instant Forgiveness"
March 20, 2023 04:00 - 44 minutes - 27.3 MB"Getting rid of stuff...it was so mind-freeing for all of us." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Estelle for Part 2 of a two part episode (Listen to Part 1 Here!). She talks about raising multiple ND kids in an "ADHD house" and making it work despite being dismissed by professionals. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Living with an older generation that might not understand ND kids -Trying to remove stimulus in the home to keep overwhelm a...
Ep.173 Father Friday: Dad Andrew McPherson on Making a Conscious Decision to Give 'Consistent Grace' to Your Partner, Yourself, and Your Neurodivergent Child
March 17, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 26.6 MB"The best way out was through." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Andrew and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Going through the grieving process but not getting stuck in it -Making the decision to give your child the best chance to thrive -Deciding on whether or not to move locations to help your kid -Finding just a little more patience and energy to handle toug...
Ep.172 Mama Monday (Part 1): Mom Estelle Emond on Constantly Being Dismissed About Your Child's Struggles, and Finding the Key to Family Success
March 13, 2023 05:00 - 34 minutes - 19.7 MB"We got a diagnosis and no help." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Estelle for Part 1 of a two part episode. She talks about raising multiple ND kids in an "ADHD house" and making it work despite being dismissed by professionals. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -When you live in an ADHD house -When you're a young mom and how that loses credentials with your gut instinct -The frustration from not understanding your child and not being giv...
Ep.171 Father Friday: Dad Stephen LupPlace on Accepting the "New Normal" of Life With a Neurodivergent Child & Focusing on Putting One Foot in Front of the Other
March 11, 2023 01:00 - 46 minutes - 27.3 MB"I'm there. I'm there with you. I'm struggling with the same thing." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Stephen and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -When your ND child is medically fragile (heart-related) -When you don't know what "typical" looks like -Setting goals and expectations - but in a different way than you expected -Putting one foot in front of the othe...
Ep.170 Mama Monday (Part 2): Mom Bethany Hoath on Taking Care of Ourselves Physically as Mothers and Women, One Choice at a Time
March 06, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 34 MB"There will be moments where you've lost control." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Bethany for Part 2 of a two part episode (listen to Part 1 HERE!). She talks about binge eating, stress, and taking care of our physical bodies - and I think a lot of what she says will resonate with you! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The importance of bite-sized pieces of self-care -Looking at yourself as a whole person for wellness -How to fix the "ou...
Ep.169 Father Friday: Dad Austin Bowden on Dreaming Big, Staying Positive, & Finding Little Miracles With Your Neurodivergent Child
March 03, 2023 16:00 - 51 minutes - 28.2 MB"Is this the life I imagined or dreamed of? No. But it's my life and I'm making the best of it." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Austin and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -How he prioritizes fitness as his "self-care" -Planning a move around the educational needs of your kid -How COVID brought tremendous stress to his marriage -The challenges of your child be...
Ep.168 Mama Monday (Part 1): Mom Bethany Hoath on Identifying the Amount of Trauma That We (As Moms) Carry Everyday - And How to Invest In Our Own True "Self Care"
February 27, 2023 05:00 - 47 minutes - 26.9 MB"I'm running on full, so I have to take care of that when I'm without my kids." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Bethany for Part 1 of a two part episode. She talks a lot about therapy, wellness, and trauma - and I think a lot of what she says will resonate with you! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Single/divorced parenting and the challenges it brings -Modeling self care and good habits in front of your ND kids -Wellness, sobriety, and ...
Ep.167 Father Friday: Dad Kellen Hamrah on Making Happy Memories With Your Neurodivergent Child In Ways You Never Expected & Redefining What "Advocating" Looks Like As Part of a Team
February 24, 2023 05:00 - 45 minutes - 25.6 MB"There's always advocating, and it's always exhausting." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Kellen and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Feeling helpless (from a dad's perspective) -Matching your partner's energy in raising kids together -Getting over the initial shock of a diagnosis -Helping ND kids reach their full potential -Taking an interest in your kid's hob...
Ep.166 Mama Monday: Mom Carly Ely on Accepting Your Own Neurodivergence to Model Using Coping Strategies With Your Kids
February 20, 2023 05:00 - 53 minutes - 31.8 MB"The more you can learn about yourself and your coping strategies, the more [your kids] can learn from that." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Carly. I appreciate her openness and vulnerability in this journey of raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Realizing that your vision of motherhood isn't your reality -How important sleep is to both ND kids and their parents -The challenges of extreme picky eating -Pedia...
Ep.165 Father Friday: Dad Don Andrews on Just "Letting Them Be" and Verbalizing to Our Neurodivergent Kids How Deeply We Love Them
February 17, 2023 16:00 - 56 minutes - 30.6 MB"It's just different, that's all. He just needs a little bit of extra help." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Don and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Overthinking how to "have a good day" and avoid meltdowns -Reframing: Your child just needs assistance. -Trying to figure it all out in the preschool years -"People are just people. You don't have to 'otherwise'...
Ep.164 Mama Monday: Mom Anna McArthur on Setting Boundaries With Her Neurodivergent Child In Order to Preserve Her Mental Health
February 13, 2023 05:00 - 58 minutes - 32.9 MB"I'm not accepting complaints at this time." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Anna. I love the way she sets boundaries around those who work with her child AND her child as well. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -How society doesn't view behavior struggles as a disability -Constantly planning and strategizing to make smooth and happy moments -Creating boundaries around what the school should report to her -Setting boundaries with her child...
Ep.163 Father Friday: Dad Jake Gilbreath on Going From Skeptical to "All In" When Accepting a Child's Diagnosis and Normalizing Discussions About How Hard the Journey Can Be
February 10, 2023 16:00 - 42 minutes - 21.1 MBAbout This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Jake and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Co-parenting an ND with an ex -Opening up the dialogue about the parents' emotions in this journey -Redefining Autism -Normalizing therapy -Being skeptical of a diagnosis at first -information overload when receiving a diagnosis I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@...
Ep.162 Mama Monday: Mom Kelly Edwards on the Emotional, Mental Load of "Caregiver Fatigue" - And How to Avoid It - When Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kids
February 06, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 39.4 MB"I have PTSD from their PTSD...I have to give myself compassion." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Kelly Edwards. Kelly is homeschooling her neurodivergent, adopted children in a way that meets the kids' needs and keeps her sanity intact. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -How the adoption process itself is traumatic and can lead to neurodivergence -Always wondering the "why" behind the behavior - especially when trauma is involved -The emo...
Ep.161 Father Friday: Dad Pablo Chavez on Rethinking How to Parent Your Neurodivergent "Mini-Me"
February 03, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 27.5 MB"I criticize myself a little too harshly." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Pablo and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Going against the grain on how you were raised -When you feel like a sibling to your child instead of a parent -Constantly feeling like you have to bargain with your kid -Fighting through your own ADHD to parent your mini-me -Using a project-or...
Ep.160 Mama Monday (Part 2): Mom Kim Jones on Changing Your Parenting Approach to Truly See Your Neurodivergent Child as an Individual
January 30, 2023 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MB"You don't want to be like, 'My kid knows everything in second grade. Why am I putting him in there?'" About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with Kim Jones for Part 2 of a 2-part chat (Listen to Part 1 Here!). I love the way that Kim is open and honest about how she's had to change the way she views ND kids over the last 20 years. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Doing the deep work and discovering patience -Learning flexibility -Meeting the asynchrono...
Ep.159 Father Friday: Dad Sean Martin on How Hard It Was (And How Long It Took) To "Drop the Ego" and Undo the "Male Narrative" Around His Pre-Conceived Definition of Fatherhood
January 27, 2023 05:00 - 50 minutes - 28 MB"I had to stop being defensive, and take ownership or responsibility that I wasn't paying attention to what was important..." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Sean and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -How Covid impacted the struggles of an ND kid -"Making the switch" to full acceptance and understanding -Undoing the "male narrative" and the way we were raised -...
Ep.158 In Your Own Words: "The Time When My Church Community Isolated My Family Based On Their Lack of Understanding of Neurodiversity"
January 25, 2023 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBAbout The Episode: It's a mini "In Your Own Words" episode! Submitted to me by a mom of a neurodivergent child, this isn't my usual back-and-forth chat. In fact, I'm not in this episode at all (other than the intro!). This mom has a story to tell, and she's ready to put it out into the world. Want to submit your own story? Record yourself telling "the time when" and send me the file via email: [email protected]. I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard....
Ep.157 Mama Monday (Part 1): Mom Kim Jones on Finding Your Role as a Step-Parent of a Neurodivergent Child & Shifting Your Idea of "Normal"
January 23, 2023 05:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MB"17 years ago, you were either the same or completely different." About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with Kim Jones for Part 1 of a 2-part chat. I love the way that Kim is open and honest about how she's had to change the way she views ND kids over the last 20 years. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Comparing society's understanding of neurodivergence 20 years ago to now -What does the role of a step-parent look like with ND kids? -To support you ki...
Ep.156 Father Friday: Dad John Marton on Keeping (Somewhat) Cool in the Hard Moments & Learning How to Accommodate Your Kid's Needs As You Go
January 20, 2023 16:00 - 50 minutes - 24.9 MB"We don't do comparative suffering here...but man, I wish I had that." About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad John and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent kid. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Learning as you go -How hard it is (but important) to repair with your kid. -Everyone has their own version of hard - but sometimes it's really hard. -Making the switch to understanding and acceptance. I ALWAYS welcome...
Ep.155 In Your Own Words: "The Time When Humor Changed My Outlook On A Tough Situation At The Doctor's Office"
January 19, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 7.57 MBAbout The Episode: It's a mini "In Your Own Words" episode! Submitted to me by a mom of a neurodivergent child, this isn't my usual back-and-forth chat. In fact, I'm not in this episode at all (other than the intro!). This mom has a story to tell, and she's ready to put it out into the world. Want to submit your own story? Record yourself telling "the time when" and send me the file via email: [email protected]. I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard....
Ep.154 In Your Own Words: "The Time When I Reframed My Sadness About My Child On The Basketball Court"
January 18, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBAbout The Episode: It's a mini "In Your Own Words" episode! Submitted to me by a mom of a neurodivergent child, this isn't my usual back-and-forth chat. In fact, I'm not in this episode at all (other than the intro!). This mom has a story to tell, and she's ready to put it out into the world. Want to submit your own story? Record yourself telling "the time when" and send me the file via email: [email protected]. I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard....
Ep.153 In Your Own Words: "The Time When My Child's Aggressive Behaviors Told Me It Was Time To Seek Help"
January 17, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBAbout The Episode: It's a mini "In Your Own Words" episode! Submitted to me by a mom of a neurodivergent child, this isn't my usual back-and-forth chat. In fact, I'm not in this episode at all (other than the intro!). This mom has a story to tell (actually, TWO mini stories in one episode!), and she's ready to put it out into the world. Want to submit your own story? Record yourself telling "the time when" and send me the file via email: [email protected]. I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thou...