Take Heart

Laura Hernandez from Mama Systems shares about the victories and struggles of parenting children with fetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. She shares advice for parents including: being an advocate, getting someone in your corner, learning vulnerability, and creating systems for peace in a chaotic situation. Don’t miss it.

June 1, 2021: Ep. 42

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro
• 2:08-    About Laura & FASD
• 6:22-    Educating Others
• 9:27-    Find that One
• 13:55-  Finding Connection
• 16:44-  Reaching Out
• 21:05-  Faithful to Calling
• 25:29-  Mama Systems
• 29:19-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Laura Hernandez’s website 

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Amy, Sara, and Carrie dive into the topics of mom guilt over their child’s diagnosis, doubting their faith, and balancing the needs of siblings. It includes encouraging reminders about listening to the right voice, seeing a therapist is about having another wise adult speak into your life, and focusing on the little joys in every day. 

May 25, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:22-    Intro
• 1:06-    “Mom Guilt”
• 4:00-    Guilt Over Diagnosis
• 11:47-   Faith Guilt
• 13:42-   Whose Voice?
• 22:01-   Balancing Siblings
• 29:55-   See the joy
• 35:27-   Prayer
• 36:26-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Psalm 139

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Guilt and shame are very different. Guilt convicts, but shame makes us feel worthless, unworthy, and doesn’t come from God. Sara encouragingly reminds us of who we are in Christ, and a beautiful practice of taking our thoughts captive when Satan whispers shame in our ear.

May 18, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro
• 1:02-    Reasons for Guilt
• 3:11-    Guilt’s Origin
• 5:05-    What God says
• 6:50-    An Exercise
• 10:33-  A Prayer
• 11:22-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: John 3:16, Zephaniah 3:17, John 15:15, I John 3:1, Ephesians 1:4 & 7, 2:10, and 3:12, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 3:24, 8:17, & 15:7, I Corinthians 1:30, 2:14, & 6:19, and II Corinthians 2:14. 

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Discerning the difference between accusation and conviction requires us to rely on the Holy Spirit. God wants us to bring our burden of guilt to Him. In this episode, Carrie encourages us to remember that as believers, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to be the mother perfectly equipped for your children.

May 11, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:23-    Intro
• 1:02-    Struggles with Guilt
• 3:32-    Accusation or Conviction
• 5:57-    Encouragement
• 10:16-  God’s Divine Power
• 12:08-  Romans 8
• 13:58-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: II Peter 1:3, Romans 8:31-39

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Guilt is a common feeling we have as special needs moms. In this episode, Amy considers the stories we tell ourselves around guilt. She provides pratical insight on how to reframe our stories. 

May 4, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro
• 1:02-    Inner Critic
• 3:01-    Defining Guilt
• 4:26-    Stories We Tell Ourselves
• 10:52-  Changing the Narrative
• 13:52-  Prayer
• 15:00-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Psalm 103, 36:5-7, Isaiah 41:10, Ephesians 3:14-20  

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

The grief of a special needs mom is unique, isolating, overwhelming, and continuous.Today, Amy, Sara, and Carrie discuss how it changes throughout the special needs journey, practices for processing it, mindsets for dealing with its constancy, and important hopeful reminders how God is near to the brokenhearted. 

April 27, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:20-     Intro
• 1:03-     A Unique Grief
• 3:50-     Greatest Griefs
• 9:48-     Isolating Grief
• 11:48-   Changing Grief
• 19:30-   Grief Practices
• 27:05-   Hope in Grief
• 32:26-   Closing Prayer
• 33:41-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources

• Beauty Will Rise Album by Steven Curtis Chapman
• Trial and Triumph Album by I am They
• Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 34:18, Revelation 21:3-4

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Carrie’s Resource Eight Processes for Practicing Grief
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Today’s episode is a gentle reminder that grieving our circumstances doesn’t mean we don’t accept and love our current life as special needs moms. God will not leave you in the broken places of your grief. You can run to Him with your sorrow, letting Him write new dreams for your life. 

April 20, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:19-     Intro
• 1:01-     Grieving
• 3:29-     Fear Disguised
• 5:24-     Grief Allowed
• 7:02-     Desolate Places
• 9:04-     Blessing
• 10:15-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources

• A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
• Scripture Mentioned: Genesis 6:6, Psalm 34:18, John 11:35, Matthew 14:13, Psalm 119:28,
• Every Moment Holy “Death of a Dream” (Pg. 234-235).

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Carrie’s Resource Eight Processes for Practicing Grief
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Grief is an ongoing part of the special needs parenting journey. Today, Carrie reminds us that it’s important not to rank grief, what grief looks like, and how God is sovereign through all types of loss. Her eight practices for processing grief as a special needs parent will greatly encourage you. 

April 13, 2021

 Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:20-     Intro
• 1:05-     Grieving Cycle
• 3:14-     Personal Story
• 6:01-     Grief Observations
• 7:30-     Four Practices 
• 11:16-   Four More Practices
• 14:07-   Being Kind to Yourself
• 16:01-   God of all Comfort
• 18:24-   Blessing
• 19:30-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources

• Extraordinary Kids: Nurturing and Championing Your Child With Special Needs by Cheri Fuller & Louise Tucker Jones
• The Life We Never Expected by Andrew and Rachel Wilson
• Your Wounds & the Path to Healing, Ep. 13. by Adam Young: Podcast The Place We Find Ourselves
• Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 62:8, Job 42:7, II Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 16:1, 5-6, 8-11.

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Carrie’s Resource Eight Processes for Practicing Grief
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

As special needs moms we are familiar with grief. We have the big losses that change our lives in a moment and the little griefs we often fail to recognize.  This week, Amy shares her experience with grief and the lessons she has learned. 

April 6, 2021

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:20-    Intro
• 1:02-    Griefs: Big & Small
• 2:59-    Two Losses
• 5:01-    Acknowledge It
• 7:06-    Allow It
• 9:35-    Pay Attention
• 11:03-  Abide
• 12:43-  Blessing

Episode Links & Resources

• Carrie’s Resource Eight Processes for Practicing Grief
• A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
• Safe Passage by Molly Fumia
• Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
• Scripture mentioned: Psalm 13, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Lamentations 3:19-26

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Download Carrie’s free resource Eight Processes for Practicing Grief
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

This collaborative episode wraps up part two with sharing some practical tips for self-care. This includes some advice on planning and protecting the time, and how important it is to ask for help. Most importantly is the idea that we cannot wait for life to be calm to take care of yourself.

March 30, 2021 

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:20-    Intro
• 1:12-    Don’t Wait on Self-Care
• 9:49-    Practical Tips
• 16:50-  Advice for Varying Parenting Stages
• 23:21-  Ask for Help
• 28:44-  Setting an Example
• 30:32-  Closing Prayer

Episode Links & Resources

• Choosing Rest by Sally Breedlove
• Permission Slip
• 7 Steps to Help you Breathe
• Calming Activities to Help with Intensity by Colleen Kessler
• Meagan Chaney’s article on PTSD and Special Needs Parents
• At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime