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Hello and welcome to the podcast. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 things that have been game-changers in my life recently! Listen in as I talk practical strategies from meal planning, and therapy support, to even mindset shifts that can help you reclaim your peace during this busy period. Lastly, I share five transformative tips that have been my compass during this journey and invite you to share your own experiences. You're not alone on this journey, and together, we can navigate this terrain.

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Other Mentions:
The Lazy Genius Podcast
We Are Brave Together
Naples/Long Beach Retreat

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Experience a journey that navigates the thin line between despair and hope. 

We open our hearts to you, sharing the intimate moments of fear and struggle, and the glimmers of hope that served as our lifeline. Feel the terror of entrusting our precious Ryan to a stranger's care, and the relief washing over us as we receive the invaluable support from those around us. Join us, as we recollect our journey from hardship to healing, resonating with strength, resilience, and most importantly, hope.

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Are you losing sleep over your child's restless nights? You're not alone. I'm thrilled to share with you a conversation brimming with wisdom, insights, and practical tips from pediatric sleep consultant, Alison Egidi. She's not just an expert in her field, but also a mother who's walked the path of sleep troubles with her own child. We explore and debunk sleep myths, emphasizing the individuality of each child's sleep rhythm. The goal isn't to control their sleep schedules but to understand and align with their unique circadian rhythms.  But the conversation doesn't stop there. We touch on how anxiety can impact sleep and parenting, sharing our personal experiences and offering strategies to make bedtime less stressful.

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/sleepandwellnesscoach/
Website: https://sleepandwellnesscoach.com/
Dr. Winter's Sleep Podcast

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Hello and welcome to the podcast. Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to find gratitude in the midst of managing life as a special needs mom? Let's unpack those feelings together. In this special Thanksgiving episode, we're taking a deep-dive into the concept of "defending gratitude." We'll explore why we often struggle to be grateful in the face of adversity, and introduce practical strategies to help you navigate these emotional hurdles.

Positive Psychology
The Enemies of Gratitude: Hidden Brain, Tom Gilovich at Cornell

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Do you ever feel unprepared to manage nursing care at home? Picture yourself juggling conflict, setting clear communication, and ensuring your child's safety without losing your peace of mind. Well, you're not alone. Join us as we dive deep into the world of home nursing care with our guests, the remarkable Carrie Holt and Casey Craig. This episode is a treasure trove of insights as we explore Carrie's unique approach to home nursing care, the crucial role of sleep, and the many creative solutions families implement for their child's safety.

Managing in-home care relationships isn't always a walk in the park. How do you establish boundaries? When should you trust your instinct? Tune in as Carrie and Casey share their personal experiences of collaborating with nurses and nannies, throwing light on the significance of a formal on-boarding process. They explain the potential benefits of utilizing contracts in complex relationships and how to steer the ship of home nursing care with grace and grit.

Finally, let us not overlook the challenges of caregiving, especially when it comes to picking caregivers for special needs children. Carrie and Casey take us on their journey, sharing their encounters with nursing agencies, church communities and their innovative strategies to finding help. They emphasize the importance of accepting help and the blessings that it brings. What role could prayer play in finding quality care? How can self-care be prioritized amidst the whirlwind of responsibilities? All of these questions and more are answered in this enlightening discussion. Don't miss out on this dose of inspiration and practicality!

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Ever thought about the life of a mom navigating the world of special needs nursing care? Here, we bring you a heartwarming and enlightening conversation with two incredible women, Kara and Kasey, who are living this reality every day. We journey with them from the moment their children's diagnosis altered their lives, to the trials and triumphs they experience in their daily lives now. This candid conversation provides an in-depth look at the world of caregiving, including the emotional impact of nursing care, managing family dynamics, and balancing work and caregiving.

We delve into the realities of providing care for medically fragile children while respecting their growth and desires as teenagers. Not only do we explore the love-hate relationship with having nurses at home, but also the continuous challenge of starting over with a new nurse each time. Kara and Kasey share the journey from survival to thriving, their growth fostering hope and support for other families in similar circumstances. 

As we further this conversation, we shift our focus towards addressing unexpected challenges in parenting. Hear firsthand how Kara and Kasey manage the emotional toll of nursing care and its impacts on their lives. They also open up about their strategies for handling conflict, their stories offering valuable insights and practical advice for families in similar situations. This discussion with Kara and Kasey promises to be a source of encouragement and invaluable information you won't want to miss.

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Ever wondered how to balance household responsibilities when you're a special needs parent? It's time to explore some new pathways. In our illuminating episode, we dive deep into the dynamics of division of labor in households with a special needs parent, unearthing the often hidden challenges and ways to create a more equitable balance of roles. We discuss how to identify ourselves in our roles, celebrate our victories, and constructively engage our partners about divvying up tasks efficiently. 

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Taking you further into the journey, we dive into the identity of a special needs mom, an exclusive club of the toughest people you'll ever meet. And while we celebrate our shared experiences, it's critical to be mindful of the beliefs we tend to harbor within this community. We discuss the need for self-care, the struggle with feeling misunderstood, and the often-underestimated role our partners play in caregiving. This episode is a gentle nudge to you, and to myself, reminding us that while we are part of a remarkable community, we must prioritize ourselves and welcome our partners into the caregiving journey. So, buckle up and journey with me through the trials, triumphs, and revelations of being a special needs mom.

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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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We're thrilled to share this heart-felt conversation with Hilary Ramos, a dynamically multifaceted woman whose roles encompass a mother, a wife, a doctor of physical therapy, and a content creator. Hilary’s journey involves a major life pivot; leaving behind her career in physical therapy after years of doctorate-level schooling, to devote herself to her son's early life. She presents a captivating narrative of faith, resilience, and the unique challenges that come with being a parent to special needs children.

Connect with Hillary:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulandrising/

Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Ever find yourself in a whirlwind of activities, responsibilities, and changes that come with a new school year, especially when you're a special needs mom? Brace yourselves as Brooke, Jenny, Kristen, Rachel, and I navigate through the labyrinth of successes and challenges we're experiencing. We share candid insights into what's worked for us, from using visual calendars and grocery delivery services to create a peaceful home environment, to managing our children's fatigue and stress levels. 

No one said being a special needs mom was easy, especially when it comes to juggling activities and responsibilities. We've seen how reducing extra activities or joining new communities can create surprising breathing space for our kids. Listen as we tackle the everyday chaos of managing backpacks, tour schedules, and medical care, and share how we've found the systems that work best for each of our families. We also share our trials on creating new habits for our kids, from transitioning in and out of the car to toilet training, and how we've conquered these roadblocks.

Our journey as special needs moms isn't all about our children, it's about us too. In this episode, we delve into overcoming the fear of asking for help, improving communication with our children's teachers, and even taking a break from our children to nurture our marriages. We also explore the concept of marriage meetings and how they can benefit relationships. Join us on this empowering journey, where we support each other to be the best moms we can be. After all, it's through sharing and connecting that we find strength and solutions to our challenges.

Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/