On The Hard Days

About This Episode: I'm so appreciative of the REALNESS Mom Kristen brings to this conversation. She tells it like it is, while simultaneously reminding us that it's okay to not enjoy this ride of parenting a neurodivergent child, and that things are REALLY, really hard. Here are just a few of the topics we discussed: -Am I imagining/exaggerating symptoms? -When a diagnosis is validating...

About This Episode: Marni Kammersell is homeschooling her kids, and boy does she GET it. The way she thinks about gifted, learning disabled children completely resonated with me in our conversation, and I just know it will for you too. Here are just a few of the topics we discussed: -The "hyper-wiring" of gifted brains -Can 2E kids thrive in a traditional school setting? -Why IQ testing...

About This Episode: It's Part 2 of my amazing chat with the one and only Erin Yeschin. And while Part 1 was so relatable and validating, Part 2 will lift you up and give you the gentle kick in the pants you need to feel empowered and motivated to keep going. Don't skip this one, my friends - there is such power in her words! Here are just a few of the topics we discussed: -Reframing your...

About This Episode: Erin Yeschin's parenting story of raising her neurodivergent child was so good, we had a long enough chat for two episodes (or even more!) Erin is a ray of light, despite being knocked down again and again and again. From her own health problems to a rough pregnancy, to health issues for her little one, and then really challenging behaviors, hers is a story I bet you will...

About This Episode: Allison Kenny brought me HOME to myself and gave me the therapy session I didn't know I needed! Wow. You've got to take a listen to this amazing mom and life coach, who, in raising her own neurodivergent child, had to re-wire her brain for different outcomes in motherhood than the way she grew up. You'll want a notepad handy to jot down some really amazing, stick...

About This Episode: I'm throwing it WAY back to episode 5 to tell the story of the frying pan. Yes, the pan we cook eggs on.  We so often are caught up in the intense emotions of our neurodivergent kids that sometimes the answer is staring us in the face! Take a listen to this personal story of mine and let me know if it resonates! Please SHARE this episode with your mom friends and groups! M...

About This Episode: Alicia DuBois and I got talking about a lot of very relatable topics in this week's episode. I love her matter-of-fact nature in that, it is what it is, so let's just move on sort of attitude! Here's just some of the things we discuss: -Working with your child to solve problems -Being the mom you used to judge -When strategies work one day and not the next -How t...

About This Episode: Tiphany Kane is a friend and a wonderful mother. I loved how positively she spoke of parenting, while also describing so many really hard moments.  Here's just some of the things we discuss: -Shifting and Growing WITH Our Children -Letting go of parental expectations -Quieting the judgmental voices in our heads More About Tiphany! Tiphany Kane, M. Ed. is known as “The Heck...

*This week, I'm bringing back the MOST downloaded interview-based episode I have since starting the show in January of 2021. If you've heard it once, it hasn't been enough! Keep a notepad handy! About This Episode: Patricia Sung is just the person I needed to talk to. She has ADHD and understands its nuances to a fault. She has her own podcast, Motherhood in ADHD, and is a featured...

About This Episode: Mom Erika is a powerhouse, telling a story that honestly, I would have a hard time telling. After unexpectedly and suddenly becoming a foster parent to her niece, she now is an amazing advocate and caretaker for  her. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Lack of control as a foster parent -Giving your whole self to someone else's child -Parenting a family member...

About This Episode: Mom Amy is one of the strongest, most positive moms I know with one of the toughest stories I've ever heard. Her son suffers from severe, life-altering OCD. She had to accept help from multiple hospitals and the most aggressive treatment, despite her child being a young age. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -What is "just right" OCD? -What it's...

About This Episode: Mom Danielle was such a wonderful, knowledgeable person to talk with. For one thing, she has the coolest job! But what happens when your career and identity don't mesh with the needs of your child? Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Supporting kids with PDA -Traveling and experiencing new places with neurodivergent kids -Lack of resources in other countries -T...

About This Episode: Mom Lorin's conversation left me speechless more than once. Her vulnerability in sharing her innermost worries about raising her neurodivergent, adopted children just completely blew me away. Chatting with her was such a gift - this episode is not to be missed! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -The trauma of adoption and inconsistent caregivers -Interracial a...

About This Episode: Mom Roxanne is a breath of fresh air. Not only did she and I have a TON of similarities in our stories, but I was taken aback by her casual yet firm commitment to meeting her children's needs. If only she was in charge of education, all of our children would be thriving. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Educators have no neurodivergency training -Connection...

About This Episode: Mom Natasha is a force to be reckoned with and I'm so thankful to have had the chance to chat with her. The way she advocates for her child with kindness yet firmness is inspiring. All children deserve the right to succeed. She nails it out of the park. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Fighting for an IEP that supports our kids -Finding doctors who will list...

About This Episode: Mom Charity SO inspired me with her consistent positive and optimistic thinking, despite a really challenging life in raising four neurodivergent kids.  She was honest and vulnerable, yet so moving! Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -What is DMDD? -Trauma of parenting explosive children -Setting tiny goals to get through each day -Showing weakness as a mom to help...

About This Episode: This is one of those episodes where, if you're raising a neurodivergent child, you'll be constantly nodding your head in awe as you listen. It's SO relatable. Mom Marjorie shares the struggles she and her family face with raising their son - especially with regards to being both gifted and Autistic, and how to meet his needs academically. Here are just some of th...

About This Episode: Mom Jill's child reminded me SO much of my own. Yet I love how Jill holds space for him to just be who he is! This conversation was a wonderful reminder to love our kids for who they are, despite the challenges.   Please shower Jill with love and support by SHARING this episode with your mom friends and groups! MORE : -Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothe...

About This Episode: Mom Barbara is raising a neurodivergent child whose story was VERY much like my own. However, where she lives, answers on certain diagnoses are hard to come by, making the journey that much more lonely.  Despite this, she stays so positive and accepting of who her child is. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Sensory Processing Disorder and the U.K. -Doctors' o...

About This Episode: Mom Melissa is such a rockstar of a mother, yet she doesn't often believe it. With the never-ending needs of her children, Melissa explains vulnerably how she constantly feels like she's dropping the ball. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -Gentle parenting a neurodivergent child -Blaming yourself for your child's struggles -Mom-guilt because you can...

About This Episode: Mom Marisa is an inspiration. Her kids range in age from preschool to adulthood, including foster children and. The way that she shows her out-of-the-box children to love and value themselves just blew me away. You're going to want a notepad for this one, because she gives a TON of "start now" tips and strategies. Here are just some of the topics we discussed: -W...

About This Episode: Okay, my friends - if you've never listened to an episode of On The Hard Days before - THIS episode is a great place to start. I have never personally felt more seen and heard than after chatting with the amazing Avril Brown. She gets it. Moment after moment of our conversation is filled with insight into accepting ourselves in order to truly accept our kids. So many light...

About This Episode: What a validating conversation I had with Laura, aka The OT Butterfly. She and I view parenting our neurodiverse kids in a similar light, and I truly loved hearing about her mindset shift around how to handle a meltdown. Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Balancing motherhood and being a professional in the field of neurodiversity -Meltdowns will happen - stopping...

*Trigger Warning* Mention of Child's Suicide Attempts About This Episode: Wow - this mom, Ellenia Lyons, is a powerhouse. She and her family have had to endure a lot of trauma and struggles - including dropping her then 9-year old off at a psychiatric facility.  Instead of shying away, Ellenia is here to discuss how she consistently shows up for her kids through honesty and advocacy. This one...

About This Episode: What an episode to kick off a new year! Oh MY this conversation with mom Sharon Gordon is freaking amazing. SHE is amazing and inspired me many different times. We zigzagged on different topics, but a few of my favorite parts came at the very end - so make sure you listen to the whole thing! Here are just some of the things we discussed: -Early signs of neurodiversity and ADHD...