Advertise on podcast: 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 SPDBeing 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 failureHow finding her people in Mothers Together helped her learn how to advocate for her kidRecognizing that showing anger and frustration at meetings helped her get the IEP eventuallyThe importance of support for moms, and how it leads to empowermentFind 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, ASDAfter infertility, the gift of motherhood in fostering and adoptionHow she helped others in her church community with fostering and adoptionHow she got her "Post-It Note Baby" - yes, really.Why Lisa believes in keeping the biological family involved if possibleThe 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 dropThe stress of continuous medical issues: Asthma, pneumonia, cleftWhen the medical issues turned into behavioral challengesGetting the diagnosis: Level 1 ASD with PDA profileHow 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 timesThe grief component to not being able to take your kid to do certain thingsCo-regulation - exhausting. Worthwhile, but exhausting.How she uses her background as a pediatric OT to understand her childRate, 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 schoolsHer 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 healthRate, 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!

Today's episode is with Dalynn, who shared some really vulnerable, tough stuff in this conversation. It's a powerful episode not to be missed. **Trigger Warning: Talk of hitting/physical abuse at the 21:00 mark** In this episode, we talk about: What it's like raising 5 teens/young adultsWhen you're raising an ND kid with grandparentsRaising a kid with severe sleep challengesHow her prior cancer journey helped her handle the challenges in parentingHow lack of sleep and severe anxiety led to her lashing outHow she learned how to "gentle parent" in therapyHow she's coming to terms with the load she carriesRate, 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've had a whole parenting life of doing it all by myself."  Today's episode is with my good friend Stephanie, who has been with me in Mothers Together since (almost) Day 1! Don't miss it! **Trigger Warning: Talk of suicidal ideations at the 45:00 mark** In this episode, we talk about: When giftedness shows itself in preschoolWhy it's frustrating when educators can't share if they feel a diagnosis is presentWhen your partner doesn't think there's anything wrongWhat the motherhood load looks like when a marriage is breakingThe challenges of finding the right school for a gifted child with ADHDWhere ADHD, OCD, and depression overlapWhen your ND kid is old enough to refuse medicationWhen your child's baseline for what's okay doesn't match yoursWhen you're the one who picks up all the pieces, all the time.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!

"PDA kids don't bend...they break. And I'm not breaking my kid again."  Today's episode with mom guest, Sandy, is REALLY, really good. Don't skip this one! In this episode, we talk about: How the professionals *missed* the signs early onHow girls' neurodivergence often goes under the radarWhat PDA looked like in her young sonWhat school refusal looked like with a supportive schoolThe lack of professional support about PDA, especially in emergenciesHow she became a PDA leader in Mothers TogetherRate, 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 April 2nd! 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! Sign up for Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until JULY! See you there!

"All the things I knew to do weren't working...I was perpetually annoyed."  Today's episode with mom guest, Becky, is a powerful one! Don't miss it! In this episode, we talk about: Her family: One adult child and 3 elementary age - 2 adopted from foster care, and all with a wide range of needs and challenges: ADHD, Autism, 2E, Anxiety, OCD, and more.How she felt crazy when all the strategies didn't workHow she reclaimed joy in the Mothers Together communityA virtual community vs. in-personFinding support in MT first about her children, but then about *her*.How she utilized the resources provided in MTRate, 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 April 2nd! 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! Sign up for Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until JULY! See you there!

"Even though my son is 18, he will forever be 8 to 10 years old."  Today's episode with mom guest, Dorothy, is a powerful one! Don't miss it! In this episode, we talk about: Her child's life with Tourette Syndrome, Autism, intellectual disabilities, hearing loss, and a gene mutation affecting medicationWhat tics were like at the beginning of a Tourette journeyThe challenge of adoption without knowing the genetics of the birth parentsHow her child cannot tolerate medications for more than a short timeEven after having been to the top specialists and clinics, life is still unpredictableRate, 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 April 2nd! 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! Sign up for Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until JULY! See you there!

"We kind of go along each day, living in the moment of where our kids are at that time, and how we can support them in that."  Don't miss this one with mom guest, Amanda! You'll feel inspired and validated by her unique journey! In this episode, we talk about: Life with *8* adopted, neurodivergent children after fostering dozens of kidsHow her own ADHD has led to MANY different passions and hobbiesWhat it was like in burnout as a foster parentHomeschooling, homesteading, and their daily lifeHow she meets the needs of her PDA child among the needs of other kidsFinding her joy in friendship and her version of "self care" - publishing a book about social workers and foster familiesRate, 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 April 2nd! 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! Sign up for Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until JULY! See you there!

"It always goes back to  - NOBODY gets it."  We're BACK!! And we're kicking it off with mom guest, Emily. I'm telling you right now - you will ABSOLUTELY resonate with her story! In this episode, we talk about: The frustration of being your child's co-regulator 24/7When being a "stay at home mom" means you can't take your kids out due to your child's struggles - so you're always at home.The way motherhood is romanticized on social mediaThe sadness of losing friendships with other adults over time because they have NT kids.How sharing your nervous system with your child's means you have nothing left at the end of the day.How finding her village has helped her reclaim her identityHow parenting a demand avoidant kid requires a whole different approachRate, 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 April 2nd! 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! Sign up for Open House NOW and save your spot - the next Open House isn't until JULY! See you there!

About 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 in a different language than your native tongue -How exciting it is to find a resource that helps -Chantelle's children's books that she made up for her children - on sale on Amazon! Find them here: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Chantelle-Stieghan/ Please shower Chantelle with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story. ** 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. If you are ready to meet other moms like you, please join us for Open House! Here's the link to sign up: mothers-together.com/openhouse. See you there! I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU. And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got my show to over 230K 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!

About 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 Please shower Felicia with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story. ** 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. If you are ready to meet other moms like you, please join us for Open House! Here's the link to sign up: mothers-together.com/openhouse. See you there! I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU. And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got my show to over 230K 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!

About 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. If you are ready to meet other moms like you, please join us for Open House! Here's the link to sign up: mothers-together.com/openhouse. See you there! I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU. And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got my show to over 230K 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!