The World's Greatest Parent (Before I Had Kids)

The World's Greatest Parent (Before I Had Kids)

Before I became a mom, I had parenting all figured out—or so I thought. In this episode of Long Days Big Love, I'm sharing the many things I swore I'd never do as a parent: screen time at restaurants, drive-thru dinners, bribery, yelling, mismatched outfits, and so much more. Like many of us, I had a picture-perfect vision of motherhood before children arrived and lovingly turned those plans upside down. As a mom of four, including a son with special needs, I've learned that parenting isn't about following a perfect plan. It's about adapting, showing up, embracing the chaos, and focusing on what truly matters. We talk about emotional safety, kindness, flexibility, and why connection will always matter more than perfection. If you've ever looked back and laughed at your pre-kid parenting expectations, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I share: * The parenting rules I completely abandoned * Why motherhood humbled me in the best possible way * How having multiple children changed my perspective * What emotional safety looks like in our family * The importance of kindness, flexibility, and showing up * Why connection matters more than perfection Motherhood may not look the way we imagined, but sometimes the most beautiful moments are found in the imperfections. Thank you for joining me for another episode of Long Days Big Love. If this episode resonated with you, please follow, subscribe, and share it with another mom who needs the reminder that she's doing just fine.

PTO Queens, Sideline Screamers & Hot Mess Moms The Personalities of Motherhood

Have you ever noticed that every school pickup line, PTO meeting, and youth sports sideline seems to have the same familiar cast of characters? In this episode of Long Days, Big Love, Audrey takes a fun and relatable look at the different mom personalities that show up throughout school and sports life. From the hyper-organized mom who never misses a deadline, to the always-late hot mess mom running on coffee and determination, to the PTO queens and sideline screamers who keep everything moving, we're celebrating the women who make up our parenting village. Through personal stories and plenty of humor, Audrey reflects on the friendships, support systems, and sense of community that develop in these shared spaces. Because while we may all parent differently, we're all navigating the same beautiful, messy journey. So, which mom are you? Join the conversation and discover why the moms standing beside us at practices, concerts, book fairs, and pickup lines often become some of the most important people in our lives. Connect with us at LongDaysBigLove.com and follow Long Days, Big Love for more honest conversations about motherhood, family life, special needs parenting, marriage, and finding joy in the chaos.

When Moms Build More Than Families

What happens when one mom decides to stop waiting for someone else to make a difference? In this episode of Long Days, Big Love, Audrey sits down with friend, nurse practitioner, and philanthropist Amy Fleming, co-founder of 412 Gives Back. What started as a simple desire to build community after moving to Pittsburgh has grown into a movement that's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local families and organizations. Amy shares the story behind 412 Gives Back, the magic of their kid-powered lemonade stands, and why they believe every dollar raised should directly impact the people who need it most. Together, Audrey and Amy talk about motherhood, volunteering, Make-A-Wish, the incredible work of the Children's Home of Pittsburgh, and the power of ordinary families coming together to create extraordinary change. This conversation is a reminder that community isn't something you find—it's something you build. In this episode, we discuss: * How motherhood led to a life of service * The founding story of 412 Gives Back * Why "kids giving back to kids" matters * The life-changing impact of Make-A-Wish * Supporting medically complex children and their families * Building a nonprofit from the ground up * Finding purpose through showing up for your community Whether you're a parent, volunteer, or someone looking for a little hope, this episode will leave you believing that small acts of kindness can create a lasting legacy. "Because when ordinary families come together, extraordinary things happen."

Finding Joy, Grace, and Strength in the Hard Seasons of Motherhood

What happens when life doesn't look the way you expected—and somehow becomes even more beautiful? In this deeply personal episode, Audrey shares an honest reflection on motherhood, marriage, raising a child with profound disabilities, navigating perimenopause, and finding joy in the middle of life's longest days. She explores the reality that the hardest part isn't necessarily special needs parenting—it's choosing love through exhaustion, overwhelm, grief, uncertainty, and the everyday chaos of family life.  From tag-teaming parenting responsibilities with her husband to raising four children with very different needs, Audrey opens up about what "big love" really means—and why the most meaningful moments often happen during the seasons that stretch us the most.  If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed, a caregiver navigating a difficult season, a woman experiencing the realities of midlife, or someone simply trying to hold it all together, this episode is for you. In this episode:  • The truth about parenting a child with significant disabilities  • Why love is easiest when life is easy—and most important when it isn't  • Marriage, partnership, and surviving the chaos together  • The emotional realities of perimenopause and motherhood after 40  • Learning to embrace seasons of life instead of fighting them  • Finding joy, gratitude, and purpose in the everyday moments  • Why controlling yourself matters more than controlling your circumstances No perfection. No filters. Just real conversations about family, resilience, and choosing love again and again. If this episode resonates with you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE with someone who may need this reminder today. #Motherhood #SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismParenting #DisabilityAdvocacy #Perimenopause #WomenOver40 #ParentingPodcast #MarriageAndFamily #CaregiverLife #SpecialNeedsMom #MentalHealth #FamilyLife #InclusionMatters #LongDaysBigLove #Podcast

Inclusion Isn’t Hard: Building a Place for Every Child | Featuring Coach Mike of Fitness for Focus

What if inclusion wasn’t something complicated—but something we simply chose to make available? In this episode of Long Days, Big Love, Audrey sits down with Coach Mike of Fitness for Focus in Wexford to talk about building spaces where every child belongs. Together, they reflect on the journey that brought Fitness for Focus and The Michael Mackie Project together and the shared mission of creating inclusive, adaptive opportunities for children and young adults of all abilities.  From the growth of Hoops & High Fives to expanding adaptive sports programming through Michael’s Victory Players, this conversation explores what happens when communities stop focusing on limitations and start creating possibilities. Audrey and Coach Mike discuss confidence, movement, friendship, learning through mistakes, and why inclusion doesn’t require perfection—it just requires opportunity. You’ll hear: *  The story behind Fitness for Focus and its inclusive approach to fitness  *  Why adaptive and unified sports matter beyond physical activity  *  How sports build confidence, independence, and connection  *  The impact of bringing neurotypical and adaptive athletes together  *  What’s next for Hoops & High Fives and adaptive football programming  Whether you're a parent, educator, coach, advocate, or someone who believes every child deserves a chance to participate—this episode is for you.  Because every kid deserves a victory. #LongDaysBigLove #MichaelMackieProject #FitnessForFocus #AdaptiveSports #InclusionMatters #UnifiedSports #Parenting #SpecialNeeds #Community #DisabilityInclusion