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!