On The Hard Days

Hi guys! I'm interrupting this hiatus with an exciting bonus episode, when I was recently featured on the "Moms Talk Autism" podcast. Please give it a listen!
Happy New Year! We’ve got a special bonus episode to kick off 2026. This is the year to build your support system and create a strong community around you and your family. Let’s go!
 
Mothers Together is a first-of-its-kind global community supporting moms of neurodivergent kids. Their mission is to improve the mental health of moms by fostering deep connections and true friendships in a judgment-free space. Megan Champion, creator of Mothers Together, joins us to talk about the importance of friendship and to answer our questions about how this community might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
 
Open House enrollment happens quarterly, with the first opportunity of the year on January 7th. This free, virtual event is a chance to meet moms in the community, ask questions, and see what Mothers Together is all about. We hope to see you there!
 
Sign up for the January Open House: https://www.ontheharddays.com/openhouse

"It's what we have to do. This is the fight, right now." Mom Jen tells the story of learning how to advocate for her gifted child - it's a powerful, super relatable conversation. If you've ever had to fight for services for your kid, this episode is for you!
In this episode, we talk about:
Life with her child: Gifted, with ASD, ADHD, and SPD
Being denied an IEP because her child was "smart" (after the school recommended he get tested!)
The mental health ripple effect of being denied services - feeling like a failure
How finding her people in Mothers Together helped her learn how to advocate for her kid
Recognizing that showing anger and frustration at meetings helped her get the IEP eventually
The importance of support for moms, and how it leads to empowerment
Find Jen @ makeagoodmess.com!
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"Wow, listening to this was so validating!" <--- Sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more moms - just like you - who need the support and validation to get through the hardships of parenting ND kids.
Click HERE, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a review". And be sure to follow the show so you're notified whenever I publish an episode. Follow Now!
Mothers Together *Open House* 
...is coming up on JULY 16th! Open House is primarily a validation-based event, where you and I can connect and chat, and I'll support you, along with my Host Mom "tour guides", as we introduce you to the warm and welcoming Mothers Together community. 
Open House is FREE, VIRTUAL, and NOT time zone-dependent, so you can join from anywhere around the world!
Click HERE to join us at Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until OCTOBER! See you there!

"I just wanted to be a mom. I always wanted to be a mom." Mom Lisa's journey to motherhood was definitely an interesting one! Be sure to tune in!
In this episode, we talk about:
Life with 3 kids with various diagnoses & needs: Down Syndrome, ODD, ASD
After infertility, the gift of motherhood in fostering and adoption
How she helped others in her church community with fostering and adoption
How she got her "Post-It Note Baby" - yes, really.
Why Lisa believes in keeping the biological family involved if possible
The importance of therapy and true "self-care"
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"Wow, listening to this was so validating!" <--- Sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more moms - just like you - who need the support and validation to get through the hardships of parenting ND kids.
Click HERE, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a review". And be sure to follow the show so you're notified whenever I publish an episode. Follow Now!
Mothers Together *Open House* 
...is coming up on JULY 16th! Open House is primarily a validation-based event, where you and I can connect and chat, and I'll support you, along with my Host Mom "tour guides", as we introduce you to the warm and welcoming Mothers Together community. 
Open House is FREE, VIRTUAL, and NOT time zone-dependent, so you can join from anywhere around the world!
Click HERE to join us at Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until OCTOBER! See you there!

"I'm loving the information I'm gathering, even though it's really hard." Today's episode is with Emily, and I just LOVE her insight and vulnerability! Ever heard of the "Spoon Theory"? Be sure to listen in on this one!
In this episode, we talk about:
The anxiety of *not knowing* when the other shoe will drop
The stress of continuous medical issues: Asthma, pneumonia, cleft
When the medical issues turned into behavioral challenges
Getting the diagnosis: Level 1 ASD with PDA profile
How she plans out her son's day using the "Spoon Theory"
How she uses curiosity and her desire to learn to help herself get through hard times
The grief component to not being able to take your kid to do certain things
Co-regulation - exhausting. Worthwhile, but exhausting.
How she uses her background as a pediatric OT to understand her child
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"Wow, listening to this was so validating!" <--- Sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more moms - just like you - who need the support and validation to get through the hardships of parenting ND kids.
Click HERE, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a review". And be sure to follow the show so you're notified whenever I publish an episode. Follow Now!
Mothers Together *Open House* 
...is coming up on JULY 16th! Open House is primarily a validation-based event, where you and I can connect and chat, and I'll support you, along with my Host Mom "tour guides", as we introduce you to the warm and welcoming Mothers Together community. 
Open House is FREE, VIRTUAL, and NOT time zone-dependent, so you can join from anywhere around the world!
Click HERE to join us at Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until OCTOBER! See you there!

"I was providing for my family, and I was dead inside." Today's episode is with Sarah, whose motherhood journey will sound VERY relatable to many of you! Don't miss this one!
In this episode, we talk about:
What it's like being the "breadwinner" AND the co-regulator.
When your kids have overlapping, opposite needs.
Raising ND kids who go to 3 different types of schools
Her kids' various challenges - anxiety, giftedness, PDA, etc.
The family dynamics of a stay-at-home Dad!
Coming to the realization that there is no perfect school - and coming to terms with that.
Autism in girls - and how different it is than in boys.
Unlearning a "Type A" personality through burnout.
How she embraced a unique form of exercise to help her mental health
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"Wow, listening to this was so validating!" <--- Sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more moms - just like you - who need the support and validation to get through the hardships of parenting ND kids.
Click HERE, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a review". And be sure to follow the show so you're notified whenever I publish an episode. Follow Now!
Mothers Together *Open House* 
...is coming up on JULY 16th! Open House is primarily a validation-based event, where you and I can connect and chat, and I'll support you, along with my Host Mom "tour guides", as we introduce you to the warm and welcoming Mothers Together community. 
Open House is FREE, VIRTUAL, and NOT time zone-dependent, so you can join from anywhere around the world!
Click HERE to join us at Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until OCTOBER! See you there!