In this episode of Surviving Parenthood, Vida Carey is joined by Suzanne Sophos for a powerful conversation about redefining traditional parenting approaches. Suzanne shares her transformative journey as a parent and the moment she realized that traditional parenting methods simply didn’t work for her child.

Together, they explore what it looks like to shift from control and compliance to support, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Suzanne reframes parenting as a partnership—seeing children not as adversaries, but as teammates navigating life together. This episode offers deep insight into child development, emotional regulation, and how understanding a child’s struggles can completely change the parent-child dynamic.

This conversation is especially meaningful for parents raising neurodivergent or emotionally sensitive children and anyone questioning whether “conventional” parenting advice truly fits their family.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional parenting methods don’t work for every child—and that’s okay.
• Understanding a child’s struggles can shift how parents respond and connect.
• Parenting is more effective when it’s a team effort, not a power struggle.
• Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in healthy parenting.
• Children often act out because they are overwhelmed or struggling internally.
• Supporting children through challenges builds trust and long-term resilience.
• Rethinking the parent-child relationship can lead to better emotional outcomes.
• Collaboration fosters safety, growth, and mutual respect.
• Parenting requires adaptability, curiosity, and compassion.

Keywords: parenting support, child development, parenting styles, emotional intelligence, supportive parenting, neurodivergent children, parent-child relationship, collaborative parenting

In this impactful episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, Vida sits down with Jon Foote, high school English teacher, parent, and mental health advocate, for a raw and relatable conversation about therapy, depression, and the power of taking proactive steps toward healing.

Together, they unpack the challenges neurodivergent individuals face when seeking support, the importance of mental health education, and why even the smallest proactive action can be transformative during depressive episodes. Jon shares his personal experiences with therapy, loneliness, and motivation, offering insight into how hope—no matter how elusive—can be the anchor that pulls us forward.

This episode is a reassuring reminder that therapy is worth the investment, knowledge is power, and reaching out for help can change everything.

Takeaways

• Therapy is consistently worth the emotional and financial investment.
• Knowledge empowers neurodivergent individuals to better understand themselves.
• Being proactive is crucial—especially during depression when motivation is low.
• Finding the energy to take action can feel impossible, but small steps matter.
• Hope is a powerful motivator, even when it feels out of reach.
• Believing in your ability to improve is essential to mental wellness.
• Therapy offers structure, insight, and validation that many neurodivergent adults were never given.

Keywords
therapy for neurodivergent adults, mental health tools, depression support, motivation during depression, hope and healing, proactive mental health strategies, benefits of therapy, mental health education, neurodivergent mental wellness, Jon Foote interview

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode, Vida sits down with Luna Hande—comedian, creator, co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast, and the beloved “Luna the Zebra Mom” across social media. Luna shares her late-diagnosis journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), autism, ADHD, lipedema, dysautonomia, and what it’s like parenting a neurodivergent teen while navigating disability, medical gaslighting, and generational trauma.

This conversation is full of honesty, humor, science, lived experience, and heart—especially for neurodivergent parents who are fighting to advocate for both their children and themselves.

In This Episode We Discuss:

✨ Luna’s Story & Late Diagnosis

• Her journey to discovering she had hypermobile EDS, autism, ADHD, and other comorbid conditions in her 40s
• How her daughter’s 10-month intractable migraine led to uncovering their shared genetic conditions
• Navigating complex comorbidities: lipedema, dysautonomia, chronic pain, fatigue, OCD, anxiety & depression

✨ Neurodivergent Parenting & Identity

• Why parenting as a neurodivergent person is both uniquely challenging and uniquely powerful
• Raising neurodivergent teens to advocate for themselves—without abandoning our own needs
• The reality of sensory differences inside the home and how they impact parent-child dynamics

✨ Community, Culture & System Barriers

• Why neurodivergent and disabled families need community—not self-sacrifice
• What past generations had (community) that many parents today are missing

Who This Episode Is For

✔ Neurodivergent parents
✔ Parents raising autistic/ADHD teens
✔ Anyone exploring late diagnosis
✔ People with chronic illness, pain, or hypermobility
✔ Caregivers navigating medical bias
✔ Anyone seeking compassion, humor, and validation


About Luna Hand

Luna Hand is a comedian, creator, hypermobility educator, and co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast. Known online as Luna the Zebra Mom, she uses humor and research to bring awareness to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, neurodivergence, and the complexities of disability.

Find Luna on TikTok & Instagram: @LunaTheZebraMom
Listen to the Hacking Hypermobility Podcast wherever you get audio.


Connect With Us

Follow Vida for more conversations on neurodivergent parenting, advocacy, and living authentically. Have questions about coaching, parenting, raising kids, or interested in being a guest? Connect with me on socials or send me an email.

TikTok @theneurodivergentteacher

Instagram @the.neurodivergentteacher

Email Vida@theneurodivergentteacher.com