On The Hard Days – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

"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 kids
• How her own ADHD has led to MANY different passions and hobbies
• What it was like in burnout as a foster parent
• Homeschooling, homesteading, and their daily life
• How she meets the needs of her PDA child among the needs of other kids
• Finding her joy in friendship and her version of "self care" - publishing a book about social workers and foster families

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 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: Mom Andrea is such a chill, relaxed mom raising a neurodivergent kid - something I am definitely not! So it was fascinating to hear her approach on trying different therapies, diets, and constantly being ready for the "next thing" that could possibly help her child. Here are just some of the topics we discussed:

-When your kid is resistant to receiving help and trying strategies
-Can ND kids feel safe when they're dysregulated?
-Therapies tried: Safe & Sound Protocol, CBT, Functional Medicine, and more
-Where's the line between constant researching and accepting your kids as they are?

Please shower Andrea with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 11/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

About The Episode: Welcome to my Thursday weekly series: My Turn! I receive wonderful questions every day from moms of neurodivergent kids, and I thought it would be helpful to compile a list of these questions and chip away at them, week after week, giving you my take on them based on my personal experiences.

Today's Question: "How Do I Know If Medication is Right For My Neurodivergent Kid?"

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 11/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

About This Episode: This is Part 2 with Mom Debbie , who continues to be so brave in sharing her story of raising neurodivergent children with really tough behaviors in the face of a tough marriage. Here's last week's Part 1! In this episode, Debbie has amazing insights to share that inspired me - listen all the way to the end! Here are just some of the topics we discussed:

-Being gaslit (but not on purpose)
-Separating from your kid when they have separation anxiety
-Getting your kids to view you in a different, more positive light
-Teaching your kids that their identity isn't their diagnosis
-Learning to embrace a diagnosis and allowing yourself to be that person

Please shower Debbie with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 11/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

About The Episode: Welcome to my new weekly series: My Turn! I receive wonderful questions every day from moms of neurodivergent kids, and I thought it would be helpful to compile a list of these questions and chip away at them, week after week, giving you my take on them based on my personal experiences.

Today's Question: "How Do I Advocate For My Neurodivergent Child At School?"

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 11/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

*Trigger Warning* - Verbal/emotional abuse and suicidal ideations

About This Episode: Mom Debbie is opening up about some really, really tough topics, and I'm so thankful for her bravery - I know there are moms listening who need to hear her story. This is Part 1, and here are just some of the topics we discussed:

-When significant other isn't on board with testing, diagnosis, etc.
-Severe sleep deprivation
-Fighting the "traditional" roles for moms vs. dads
-Using a "script" for how the parenting journey should go
-When child services is called

Please shower Debbie with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 10/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

About The Episode: Welcome to my Thursday solo episode! Normally, these second episodes are short and are based around YOUR questions. This time, I wanted to share a personal story about a recent trip to the story, a toy disappointment, and walking on eggshells, waiting for that meltdown! Also in this episode, I discuss the differences between my two programs, Mothers Together and Mothers Evolve!

MORE:
-Interested in talking one-on-one with me? Book a free support call and get the help you need at https://calendly.com/motherstogether/supportcall.

-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 10/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!

About This Episode: Mom Katrina is sharing so vulnerably what mom guilt feels like when you're raising a neurodivergent kid. She put so much blame on herself for a lot of her child's struggles (and for losing her temper), and we unpacked that feeling in this conversation because it's just so relatable. Here are just some of the topics we discussed:

-Relief from getting a diagnosis
-Guilt from being a "yelling" mom
-Temper vs. Overwhelm
-Worrying about your neurodivergent child's future
-Researching in depth to meet your child's needs
-Why do people expect children to grow out of behaviors?
-Hesitation to share diagnosis with others for fear of judgement

Please shower Katrina with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!

MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 10/1!

-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts.  *Please leave a review*  to spread the word to other moms around the world!