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On The Hard Days

On The Hard Days

Megan Champion

1 Creator

1 Creator

If you're raising an out-of-the-box kid, you've likely struggled with doubt, guilt, and shame in your motherhood. "Am I crazy?" you've likely wondered. "What am I doing wrong?" You've probably never met another mother raising a neurodiverse child like yours, and truth be told, your mental health has suffered. Host Megan Champion gets it and has a mission to bring connection and support to mothers raising neurodiverse children. Each week, a brave and vulnerable mom shares her story to the world, in the hopes of helping listeners feel seen, heard, and validated. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, if you feel lonely in your motherhood journey, On The Hard Days is for you. Follow Megan @on.the.hard.days on Instagram for personalized messages of hope and support (DMs are ALWAYS open!). Then subscribe to On The Hard Days and share the show with other moms in the trenches. No one knows our kids better than we do, and we are MEANT to be their mothers!
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Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best On The Hard Days episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to On The Hard Days for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite On The Hard Days episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

"The more you can learn about yourself and your coping strategies, the more [your kids] can learn from that."
About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Carly. I appreciate her openness and vulnerability in this journey of raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-Realizing that your vision of motherhood isn't your reality
-How important sleep is to both ND kids and their parents
-The challenges of extreme picky eating
-Pediatric Feeding Disorder vs. ARFID
-When you discover your own neurodivergence along with your kid
Please shower Carly with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story. Check out Carly's website @goodnightguide.com.
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
March registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 3/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

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"It's just different, that's all. He just needs a little bit of extra help."
About This Episode: It's Father Friday!!! I had a great conversation with Dad Don and I just loved what he had to say about raising a neurodivergent child. Here are just some of the things we discussed:
-Overthinking how to "have a good day" and avoid meltdowns
-Reframing: Your child just needs assistance.
-Trying to figure it all out in the preschool years
-"People are just people. You don't have to 'otherwise' them."
-The importance of verbalizing our feelings and love for our kids
-Finding compassion and turning off the "something's wrong" narrative
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
March registration for Mothers Together has officially begun! Not sure if it's right for you? You have until 3/10 to cancel for a FULL refund. There's nothing to lose - only community to gain! Save your spot at ontheharddays.com/motherstogether.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

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About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Chantelle. I loved this whole conversation and I know you will too! Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-The lack of support when living in a foreign country
-When doctors have never heard of the struggles your child is facing
-Eating disorders as part of being neurodivergent
-How ADHD can look so different in different kids
-How emotional it is to feel alone in your struggles
-Trying to advocate for your child in a different language than your native tongue
-How exciting it is to find a resource that helps
-Chantelle's children's books that she made up for her children - on sale on Amazon! Find them here: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Chantelle-Stieghan/

Please shower Chantelle with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story.** HUGE NEWS!! Our next Mothers Together "Open House" is coming up at the end of the year! At Open House, you'll walk away with actual connections to real moms just like you AND the validation you deserve but often don't receive. I'm thrilled to be able to bring you a taste of how inclusive, safe, and judgment-free the Mothers Together community is. If you are ready to meet other moms like you, please join us for Open House! Here's the link to sign up: mothers-together.com/openhouse. See you there!

I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got my show to over 230K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

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*This episode has been requested more than once because it's SO powerful. Get ready with this one, my friends. Lorin is an amazing human.*
About This Episode: Mom Lorin's conversation left me speechless more than once. Her vulnerability in sharing her innermost worries about raising her neurodivergent, adopted children just completely blew me away. Chatting with her was such a gift - this episode is not to be missed! Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-The trauma of adoption and inconsistent caregivers
-Interracial adoption
-What if kids didn't want to be adopted?
-Taking care of yourself in order to take care of your kids
-Primal wounds of adopted children losing their first parents and first culture
-Is it neurodivergence or trauma?
-Being selfless but still holding space for yourself
Please shower Lorin with love and support by SHARING this episode with your mom friends and groups!
MORE:
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head to ontheharddays.com/endburnout to sign up for our January groups!
-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts. *Please leave a review* to spread the word to other moms around the world!

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"There will be moments where you've lost control."
About This Episode: It's Mama Monday! This week, I'm talking with mom Bethany for Part 2 of a two part episode (listen to Part 1 HERE!). She talks about binge eating, stress, and taking care of our physical bodies - and I think a lot of what she says will resonate with you! Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-The importance of bite-sized pieces of self-care
-Looking at yourself as a whole person for wellness
-How to fix the "out of control" feeling
-Taking a closer look at her relationship with binge eating and food
Please shower Bethany with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story. Also, you can find her on bethanyhoath.com and @ 30drydays on Instagram.
I ALWAYS welcome YOUR thoughts! Feel free to DM me on IG (@on.the.hard.days) or email me: [email protected]. This podcast is what it is because of YOU.
And speaking of the podcast, YOU all recently got me to my goal of 100K downloads. Thank you!
The best way to keep this podcast download streak is to:
1) Subscribe to the podcast - your device will automatically download new episodes!
2) Share the show with others - think therapists, pediatricians, and teachers!
3) Leave a rating/review for the show - the Apple algorithm will push the show out to more moms who need the support and validation!
THANK YOU, so very much, for your continued support!

bookmark
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Guys. I struggled to find the right title for this episode, because Kim dropped so many golden nuggets - how could I possibly represent all that she said in one sentence?
We talked ALL about raising 2E, neurodiverse kids. Specifically, we focused on:
-The importance of being an authority to our 2E kids (but in a positive way)
-How being inconsistent as a mom is often better than consistency
The importance of getting the PROPER help for your child - as sometimes the wrong kind of help is more damaging!
-How 2E kids have so many layers to them that the way we parent may benefit one layer and hurt another. It's all about balance.
-Our neurodiverse kids are often emotionally gifted - but just because they hold onto so much conscience-ness doesn't mean they SHOULD.
MORE:
-Bonus episodes of my motherhood journey come out every Thursday! Access them HERE: patreon.com/ontheharddays.
-Be showcased as a "Mom of the Week" through my weekly newsletter "Mothers Together", which also features resources for raising out-of-the-box kids and a personal blog post. Sign up at ontheharddays.com!
-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts. Be sure to leave a review to spread the word to other moms around the world!

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*Special Introduction: Mothers Together re-opens on September 1st! This is the place you can't find anywhere else on the internet - a judgement-free community with small support groups for moms like us, raising neurodiverse kids. Head to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up!
In This Episode: Amy is a caregiver coach, a parent advocate, an author, and the mom of a neurodiverse child. In this episode, she unpacks the need for every mom to have their village - but not just any village. She takes a systematic approach to building a team who understand the needs of out-of-the-box kids. It's a different way of thinking about finding your people - and her step by step ideas make total sense. We also talk about:
-Comparing raising neurotypical kids to neurodiverse kids
-Ditching the "traditional" approach to parenting
-Listening to your mama gut instinct.
You can find out more about Amy and what she does on her website, Big Abilities.
MORE:
-Want to be a part of my new support group community, Mothers Together? Send me a message on IG or FB and I'll tell you how to sign up!
-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts. Please leave a review to spread the word to other moms around the world!

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On The Hard Days - Ep.2 Is It Me, Or Is It My Child?
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01/31/21 • 30 min

Megan recounts the early years with her son, analyzing his behaviors to figure out if she was doing something wrong as a mother. As his challenges intensified, he acted out - but only at home. Finally, she took him to a psychologist at age four and he was given a diagnosis.

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About This Episode: Mom Kelly is an inspiration. Her neurodivergent child with anxiety, OCD, and panic disorder has REALLY struggled, especially in her teen years. And because of that, Kelly has struggled too. But besides putting out daily fires, she decided to take matters of healing into her own hands - and healed herself in ways she never thought possible. Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-Anxiety increases with hormonal changes in teens
-Admitting your child to the hospital with intrusive thoughts
-How Moms of ND kids struggle with PTSD and daily anxiety
-Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation - how it can help
-Breathwork is for people whose anxiety lives in their chests
-Taking the healing process into your own hands
Please shower Kelly with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story! Her podcast is called "Mindful Conversations With Kay" and you can find her on IG @mindfulmomentsforfamilies.
MORE:
-Last call for moms interested in piloting my new program, Mothers Evolve! Sign up to save your spot at ontheharddays.com/pilot
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 10/1!
-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts. *Please leave a review* to spread the word to other moms around the world!

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About This Episode: Mom Becky and I had an amazing, relatable conversation that needs two parts! Becky is raising multiple neurodivergent kids and is neurodivergent herself. She's been able to shed the standards that our society claims as "normal" in order to save her own mental health, and that of her children. Here are just some of the topics we discussed:
-Transforming home from chaos to peace
-What's the definition of success, anyway?
-Mental health before education
-Believing the lie that we, as moms, aren't qualified to raise our ND kids
-Parent-led education
-We are our kids' operating systems!
Please shower Becky with love and support by SHARING this episode with a mom who needs to hear her story!
MORE:
-I'm giving my first FREE MomTalk, entitled "Raising a Neurodivergent Kid? The #1 Way to Avoid Burnout - And You Can Do It *Today*!" Grab a spot and join me at ontheharddays.com/momtalk!
-Want to be a part of my support group community, Mothers Together? Head over to ontheharddays.com/motherstogether to sign up. New groups start 11/1!
-Subscribe to On The Hard Days via Apple, Spotify, or however you get your podcasts. *Please leave a review* to spread the word to other moms around the world!

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FAQ

How many episodes does On The Hard Days have?

On The Hard Days currently has 202 episodes available.

What topics does On The Hard Days cover?

The podcast is about Parenting, Kids & Family, Motherhood, Community, Podcasts, Adhd, Self-Improvement, Education, Neurodiversity and Autism.

What is the most popular episode on On The Hard Days?

The episode title 'Ep. 67 Mom Laura Petix on Accepting Our Anxiety Around Our Kids' Big Emotions' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on On The Hard Days?

The average episode length on On The Hard Days is 47 minutes.

How often are episodes of On The Hard Days released?

Episodes of On The Hard Days are typically released every 4 days, 11 hours.

When was the first episode of On The Hard Days?

The first episode of On The Hard Days was released on Jan 27, 2021.

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