Thriving While Surviving

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: [email protected]

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==

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

Michelle’s Substack: https://breatheinthegood.substack.com/

Katie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieelise_thatsme/?hl=en

Katie’s Email: [email protected]
Join the waitlist for my upcoming course: Self-Care Reset for the Support Needs Mom. For more info, visit: https://katieelise.myflodesk.com/selfcareresetearlyaccess

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.

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.

In this episode I share in detail my experience as a medical mom and reflect on the way medical motherhood has impacted me as a person. I dive deep into my experiences handling premature birth, congenital heart defects, epilepsy, surgeries, feeding tubes, medications, military medical accommodations, and more.

In this introductory episode I discuss the mindset shift I had on what it means to thrive while living a life that often feels like I'm in and out of "survival mode" much of the time.

To contact me, please email: [email protected]

Thriving While Surviving Podcast is for moms of special and medical needs children. On Thriving While Surviving you’ll hear everyday moms just like yourself authentically share their stories so you feel less alone in yours. I also share practical tips for navigating everyday life in a way that brings more intention, joy, and peace into your life. 

Hi I’m Katie, and I’m your host. I’m a mom to neurodivergent six year old twin boys, one of whom was born with congenital heart defects and has a complex medical history. I’ve been a military spouse for the past 9 years.  I know what it feels like to be on a parenting journey that looks nothing like what you imagined it would, and the day-to-day struggles of navigating a life filled with circumstances that are out of your control. 

My own journey of learning how to navigate caregiver burnout and take care of myself while also meeting the complex needs of my children is what led me to life coaching and creating this podcast. 

Do you often feel like nobody fully gets what your day-to-day life and parenting experience is like? 

Are you tired of feeling like your identity has been consumed by your role as a mom?

Are you ready to honor your story and take manageable steps towards the life you desire? 

If so, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Thriving while Surviving.