This Is Not What I Was Expecting

Flexible instruction days are nice in theory but they cause a lot of chaos for families! For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donation...

Senior year hits different when your child struggles. Between IEP meetings, doctors, legal paperwork, and the emotional rollercoaster of “what’s next,” so many parents feel like they’re barely hanging on. This week we talk honestly about the chaos, the questions, and the moments we didn’t see coming—and share what we wish someone had told us sooner. If you’re in the thick of it (or it’s on the hor...

Storms, screaming kids, no power—and somehow, we’re still standing (barely). This week we're talking about the real chaos of parenting through emergencies, how our kids handle it (spoiler: wildly differently), and why staying calm sometimes means hiding in a closet later. Laugh, relate, and remind yourself you’re doing just fine… probably. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children w...

This week we’re talking about what happens when the people who hold the whole family together get a last-minute group text and a wilting plant. From funny fails to heartfelt moments, we open up about why those supposed "special days" can feel complicated and why it’s okay to set expectations, speak up, and even plan your own celebration. Whether you’re feeling seen or sidelined, this one’s for you...

When was the last time you did something just because it made you feel good? This week we talk about finding simple, personal outlets—like painting, baking, journaling, or even making your own laundry detergent—that help manage stress and bring a little peace into the chaos. No pressure, no perfection—just time for you. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and men...

Let’s be honest—parenting is exhausting, and the stress doesn’t disappear when the kids grow up. This week our moms talk about the constant mental load we carry, from managing school calls and family logistics to trying (and sometimes failing) to find time to breathe. We share real talk, practical ways to cope, and a few laughs along the way—because sometimes just knowing you're not alone makes al...

When one child in the family has mental health or behavioral challenges, it affects everyone—including their siblings. How do you balance attention, make sure no one feels left out, and manage the unique sibling dynamics that come with raising a child who needs more? This week we get real about the challenges, share personal stories, and offer ideas to help support all of your kids. Because when o...

What happens when you and your partner don’t see eye to eye on parenting? From discipline styles to daily decisions, disagreements are inevitable—but they don’t have to lead to all-out war. In this episode, we get real about handling parenting conflicts, finding middle ground, and managing the frustration of feeling like you’re in it alone. Tune in for relatable stories, honest insights, and a few...

What happens when snow days turn into “Flexible Instruction Days”? In this episode, we dive into the highs, lows, and downright hilarious moments of balancing work, kids, and packets of schoolwork. From creative ways to make learning happen (cooking French toast counts as math, right?) to real talk about managing IEPs and 504 plans during these challenging days, we’re here to commiserate and share...

It’s the holiday season, and we’re diving into the real-life chaos of parenting while trying to manage Flexible Instruction madness, holiday prep, and everything in between. From kids refusing to do packets to mismatched socks for spirit week, we’re sharing the behind-the-scenes mayhem. We talk about setting realistic expectations, finding small moments of joy (hello, pencil Christmas trees!), and...

We’ve all heard it—unsolicited advice from family, friends, and even strangers that ranges from mildly annoying to downright harmful. In this episode, we break down some of the worst parenting advice we’ve received and share how these misconceptions can block us from getting the help our kids truly need. We’ll also give you a few cheeky phrases to shut down rude comments, tips on setting boundarie...

We talked about the book and cards called Fair Play Life. If you check it out let us know what you think.  For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyall...

Parenting doesn’t come with a roadmap, but sometimes it does come with wax in the drain and a pumpkin patch meltdown! Join us as we get real about juggling our own needs with the chaos of family life, from unexpected “kid experiments” to the stress of spirit days, Halloween costumes, and daily demands. We’ll talk about how we’re learning to protect our energy, embrace imperfect moments, and why sh...

Have you met Julia yet? You'll love her just as much as we do as she takes her first turn hosting this week's podcast! Julia leads our group of moms through a deep dive into the unique journey of raising and supporting children who aren't biologically ours. Whether you're an adoptive parent, foster parent, step-parent, or legal guardian, this episode is for you. Parenting non-bio kids comes with i...

All it takes is 1 person to roll their eyes or smirk and just like that a difficult situation gets even worse. If you've been there, in public while your kiddo is melting down, you've seen that look and know that feeling. However, there are times when strangers’ simple acts of kindness in the middle of our chaos make such a difference just when it matters most. Today our team shares those moments...

After decades of advocacy work between us all here's a list of the things we'll no longer do as parent raising kiddos with mental health challenges and just parenting in general. We'd love to hear what's on your list! Share your list in the comments.  For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyallian...

As parents we're expected to keep everything moving, on time, while ensuring everyone is safe and taken care of. But how can we balance everyone's needs as well as our own? This week join Melissa, Tracy and Perl as they share the challenges and their tips for keeping all the balls up in the air, while tending to children's and their own mental wellness.  For one on one support at no cost to parent...

Raising a child who has a behavior or mental health challenge is hard enough but if you're doing it and have a challenge of your own, it's extra hard. On this week's episode we talk about our own challenges and share our tips and tricks for managing. Sometimes it's nice to know that we have a community of friends who get it. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior an...

Here we are deep into summer and our kids are eating us out of house and home! We're doing our best to keep them busy and enriched all while working a demanding job, from home. Who else can relate? Join us this week as Tracy, Melissa and Chrissy talk about snack deficits, how hard it is teaching our kids about how money works and 504 plans for the upcoming school year.  For one on one support at n...

We're sorry to be the ones to bring it up but our kiddos will be going back to school shortly so our group of moms got together to share some tips and tricks that can help make back to school manageable.  For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help Find out more about the...

Do you feel like you're the only parent who says "No" or has rules for your child? Well this week Melissa is here to tell you that you're not alone! Our parents, Tracy, Perl, and Christina, talk about the limits and rules they insist on for their children and how they're fine not being their child's friend. At least until they get older. If you feel like you're the "bad guy" never letting your chi...

How many times have you heard, "I'm bored" already this summer? If Perl or Tracy hear that phrase again they may just blow their tops. This week our ladies share how they're managing to keep everyone in their family on track and having fun during the dog days of summer. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.papa...

One day they're toddlers and getting into everything and the next they're teens who you only see when they emerge to visit the fridge. They grow up so fast that it's never too early to start thinking about what's going to happen once they leave high school. Join Chrissy, Tracy, Perl and Christina to talk about what you should think about now, before your child with behavior or mental health challe...

This week we completely forget our planned topic and instead ended up talking about our summer plans compared to our Gen X and Millennial childhoods. From formerly fully stocked fridges to drinking out of the hose, this behind the scenes episode let's you see what happens before we hit record. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the chaos as we take you on a journey through the unplanned but always ent...

This week our moms talk about the challenges and mental load that comes with motherhood. It takes a team to help raise a child who has a mental health challenge and that team includes not only family but bosses and coworkers and the community. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/o...