Thriving While Surviving

Ep. 07: Melissa Cohen - Navigating Early Motherhood With A Child Facing Congenital Heart Defects

Title: Melissa Cohen - Navigating Early Motherhood With A Child Facing Congenital Heart Defects Host: Katie Elise Keywords motherhood, congenital heart defects, parenting challenges, emotional trauma, support systems, advocacy, self-care, resilience, heart community, personal stories Summary In this episode of the Thriving While Surviving podcast, Katie Elise speaks with Melissa Cohen about her experiences navigating motherhood with a child who has congenital heart defects. They discuss the challenges of unexpected diagnoses, the emotional trauma of hospitalization, and the importance of advocacy and support systems. Melissa shares her journey of self-discovery, the impact of her daughter's health on her mental well-being, and the lessons learned about grace and resilience. The conversation highlights the need for community, understanding, and compassion in the face of adversity. Takeaways Every mom has expectations that may not be met. The shock of a child's diagnosis can be overwhelming. Advocacy is crucial in navigating medical challenges. Trauma from medical experiences can reshape a parent. Self-care is essential but often neglected during crises. Community support can make a significant difference. It's important to allow oneself grace during tough times. Celebrating small milestones is vital for emotional health. The journey of parenting a child with health issues is unique and challenging. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Motherhood with Congenital Heart Defects 02:42 Expectations vs. Reality in Motherhood 05:30 The Shock of Diagnosis 08:49 The Journey Begins: Michaela's Birth 11:41 Facing the Unknown: NICU Experience 14:23 Understanding Tetralogy of Fallot 17:37 Complications: Tracheal Condition Discovery 20:44 The Role of Advocacy in Healthcare 23:43 Finding Strength in the Journey 32:32 The Struggles of Holding a Newborn 34:53 The Reality of Newborn Needs 38:11 The Impact of Trauma on Parenting 40:57 Navigating Anxiety and Daily Life 44:10 Different Coping Mechanisms in Stress 46:27 Self-Care and Support Systems 49:33 The Protective Instinct of Motherhood 52:17 Isolation and Emotional Turmoil 54:59 The Journey of Healing and Understanding 59:56 Navigating Family Support During Crisis 01:04:08 The Importance of Self-Compassion 01:09:51 Celebrating Progress and Growth 01:19:00 Shifting Perspectives on Motherhood 01:21:22 Connecting and Sharing Stories 01:23:20 Podcast Outro Video.mp4 Links Melissa’s Email: Melissagwen@gmail.com [Melissagwen@gmail.com]

Ep. 06: Kristen Kollgaard - When You Love Your Child But Regret Becoming A Mother

Title: Kristen Kollgaard_When You Love Your Child But Regret Becoming A Mother Host: Katie Elise Guest: Kristen Kollgaard Keywords autism, parenting, neurodivergent, motherhood, support, mental health, expectations, diagnosis, community, parenting strategies, PDA, pathological demand avoidance, persistent drive for autonomy Summary In this conversation, Katie Elise and Kristen Kollgaard discuss their experiences as mothers of children with autism. They explore the challenges and realities of early motherhood, the expectations versus the actual experiences, and the journey of diagnosis. Kristen shares her personal story of navigating parenting with a neurodivergent child, including the emotional struggles and the importance of finding community and support. They emphasize the need for understanding and compassion in parenting, as well as the significance of advocating for one's child. The conversation concludes with valuable advice for new parents facing similar challenges. Takeaways Motherhood can be a complex journey with unexpected challenges. It's important to grieve the expectations of parenting. Finding a supportive community is crucial for parents of neurodivergent children. Navigating a child's diagnosis can be a long and emotional process. Parents should trust their instincts and advocate for their children. It's okay to feel overwhelmed and seek help when needed. Every child is unique, and parenting strategies should be tailored to them. The journey of parenting is filled with phases of emotions and experiences. Open communication with partners about parenting challenges is essential. Self-care and mental health are important for parents. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:39 Expectations vs. Reality in Motherhood 17:25 Navigating Diagnosis and Support Needs 30:22 The Duality of Love and Frustration in Parenting 40:34 Finding Community and Support 51:13 Advice for New Moms of Neurodivergent Children 55:32 Podcast Outro Video.mp4 Links Kristen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kkollgaard?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Ep. 05: Michelle Mance - Support Needs Motherhood as a Military Spouse

Title: Support Needs Motherhood as a Military Spouse Guest: Michelle Mance Summary In this conversation, Katie Elise interviews her friend Michelle Mance about navigating her daughter's autism journey as a military spouse. They discuss the challenges of being a support needs mom in the military community, the importance of self-care, and the process of receiving an autism diagnosis. Michelle shares her perspective on parenting and emphasizes the need to give children time to grow and develop at their own pace. They also touch on the challenges of advocating for their children in educational settings. Overall, the conversation highlights the unique experiences and challenges faced by military spouses raising children with special needs. Keywords autism, military spouse, support needs mom, self-care, diagnosis, challenges, parenting, advocacy, educational settings Takeaways Being a support needs mom in the military community comes with its own challenges, but there is also a sense of understanding and community among military spouses. Self-care is crucial for support needs moms, but it can be difficult to prioritize and find time for it. Receiving an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it is important to give yourself and your child time to grow and develop at their own pace. Advocating for your child in educational settings is essential, and it's important to remember that it's not personal, but rather about ensuring your child receives the support they need. The military insurance system can be a valuable resource for covering the costs of therapies and treatments for children with special needs. Moving frequently as a military family can make it challenging to establish roots and navigate different systems of support in each new location. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:52 The Challenges of Being a Support Needs Mom in the Military Community 08:07 The Importance of Self-Care 11:49 Giving Children Time to Grow and Develop 19:17 Advocating for Your Child in Educational Settings 21:42 The Benefits and Challenges of Military Insurance 25:54 Navigating Support Systems in Different Locations 30:41 Advice for Parents on the Autism Journey Links Michelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathe.in.the.good/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/breathe.in.the.good/?hl=en] Michelle’s Substack: https://breatheinthegood.substack.com/ [https://breatheinthegood.substack.com/] Katie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieelise_thatsme/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/katieelise_thatsme/?hl=en] Katie’s Email: hello@katieelise.com [hello@katieelise.com] Join the waitlist for my upcoming course: Self-Care Reset for the Support Needs Mom. For more info, visit: https://katieelise.myflodesk.com/selfcareresetearlyaccess [https://katieelise.myflodesk.com/selfcareresetearlyaccess]

Episode 04: Processing Stressful Emotions

Stressful emotions. We're all familiar with them, and we all process them in different ways. Not dealing with them in a healthy way can have long-term negative impacts on our health, well-being, and even those around us. In this episode we take a closer look at coping mechanisms, how to create space and begin to process our emotions in a healthy way, and what it means to complete the stress cycle. I also share a practical exercise you can use almost anywhere to help yourself identify your emotions and begin to work through them.

Episode 03: My Experience as a Mom of Neurodivergent Children

In this episode I share all about my experience navigating life as a mom of neurodivergent children. I share about what led to their diagnoses, Autism, PDA, Neurodiversity vs. Medical model of Autism, advocacy, IEP's, and finding friendships with other moms that just get it.