On The Hard Days

Latest Episodes:

Ep.164 Mama Monday: Mom Anna McArthur on Setting Boundaries With Her Neurodivergent Child In Order to Preserve Her Mental Health Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

"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
-Raising children of a different race and what society thinks
-The goal is "happy, healthy, and independent"
Please shower Anna with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story.
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

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 Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

About 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 (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

Ep.162 Mama Monday: Mom Kelly Edwards on the Emotional, Mental Load of "Caregiver Fatigue" - And How to Avoid It - When Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kids Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

"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 emotional, mental load of "caregiver fatigue" - and the resentment that can come from it
-Why she started her business, The 90-Minute Schoolday, to guide other moms through homeschooling neurodivergent children
-What does a typical homeschool day look like in 90 minutes?
-Rethinking what education is for our kids, and letting go of the stereotype of "perfect" homeschooling
Please shower Kelly with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story - and check out her website https://90minuteschoolday.com/
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

Ep.161 Father Friday: Dad Pablo Chavez on Rethinking How to Parent Your Neurodivergent "Mini-Me" Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

"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-oriented brain for parenting tasks
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

Ep.160 Mama Monday (Part 2): Mom Kim Jones on Changing Your Parenting Approach to Truly See Your Neurodivergent Child as an Individual Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

"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 asynchronous needs of a 2E kid
-Getting on your kid's level
Please shower Kim with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
February registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 2/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.

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 Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

"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
-Being open to being "called out" by your spouse
-How to prioritize your day to day life - what comes first?
-What is the definition of fatherhood?
-How his son cheered when he found out he had ADHD
-How to tag-team with your partner
-It's not being "difficult" - it's being assertive
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
February registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 2/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.

Ep.158 In Your Own Words: "The Time When My Church Community Isolated My Family Based On Their Lack of Understanding of Neurodiversity" Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

About 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: ontheharddays@gmail.com.
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
February registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 2/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.

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" Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

"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 kid, you have to change your perspective
-The downside of having access to too much information
-Adjusting your expectations to meet your child's needs
-Our kids are so sensitive to small changes, like sleep
-Finding your patience in a new way
Please shower Kim with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
February registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 2/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.

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 Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

"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 YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
February registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 2/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.

Ep.155 In Your Own Words: "The Time When Humor Changed My Outlook On A Tough Situation At The Doctor's Office" Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

About 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: ontheharddays@gmail.com.
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: ontheharddays@gmail.com. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, I'm working towards a BIG goal - 100K downloads by 1/27/23! **AND WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!**
The best way to reach our 100K download goal is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

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