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This Is Not What I Was Expecting: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Parent Alliance
As moms who have watched our children struggle with their behavior or mental health, we remember so often feeling alone. If you’ve ever felt the same way—you’ve come to the right place! We are the people who get it. We know that parenting is not what you expected and may be a very different experience than your family and friends are having. Every other week our group of moms gather to share our stories, tips, and insights on managing the unique challenges that come with parenting our kiddos. From navigating insurance hurdles and waitlists to dealing with school issues and beyond, we cover it all. We laugh together, get angry at the system together, and most importantly, we support each other. If you're ever feeling like no one understand what you're going through, throw our podcast on. You belong here.
Latest Episodes
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- 2 weeks ago49 min
What's for Dinner? Why This One Question Feels So Overwhelming
If you've ever asked your partner or your kids, "What does everyone want for dinner?" only to hear a chorus of "I don't know," this episode is for you. That one simple question somehow turns into meal planning, grocery shopping, picky eaters, food budgets, sensory needs, and one more decision at the end of an already exhausting day. In this episode, we're having an honest conversation about the mental load of feeding a family. We talk about what actually works in our homes—from "fend for yourself" nights and crockpot meals to getting teenagers involved in cooking, stretching grocery budgets, and giving ourselves permission to stop chasing perfect family dinners. Because sometimes the goal isn't a Pinterest-worthy meal. It's simply making sure everyone is fed. So tell us—what's your family's go-to dinner when nobody knows what they want? Share your favorite budget-friendly meals, time-saving tips, or family traditions in the comments. We'd love to hear what works in your home. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/parenting-resourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- Jun 4, 202647 min
The Parenting Badges We Wish Existed
Inspired by a conversation about adulting badges, we're asking our audience what parenting badges they've earned lately while sharing some of our own. From failed family outings and cereal-for-dinner nights to surviving summer break and mountains of laundry, we're creating badges for the parenting experiences you can only earn by living through them. Join us as we compare our hard-earned badges, laugh at the chaos, and remind ourselves that sometimes making it through the day deserves a little recognition too. What parenting badge have you earned lately? For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/parenting-resourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- May 21, 202628 min
When Your Family Doesn't Understand Your Child's Struggles
“Unless you live it, you just don’t understand.” That feeling comes up a lot for parents raising kids who struggle emotionally, behaviorally, socially, or at school. This week we're talking about the grief of feeling unsupported by family — and the relief of finding people who truly see your child and your experience without judgment. We also talk about: finding support outside traditional family celebrating wins that other people don’t notice parenting “spicy” kids school struggles and overwhelm why validation matters so much for parents If you’ve ever felt alone in your parenting journey, we hope this episode reminds you that your people are out there. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- May 7, 202649 min
Your Child Was Excluded by Another Parent… Now What?
One day your child is talking to their friend like normal and the next day they’re told they’re not allowed to be friends anymore. No explanation. No conversation. Just done. This week we’re talking about what it feels like when another parent decides your child isn’t “good enough” and you’re left trying to pick up the pieces without really knowing why. We also get into something a lot of parents don’t talk about enough, especially if your child is the one who tends to get misunderstood. Whether it’s behavior, ADHD, autism, or just being wired a little differently, these situations can hit even harder. We share real stories, the anger, the confusion, and the hard truth that sometimes you can’t fix it. If your child has ever been excluded, judged, or misunderstood, you are not alone in this. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- Apr 23, 202641 min
What If Your Kids Don't Remember The Things You Feel Guilty About?
If you’ve ever fed your kids fast food in the car, missed something important, or gone to bed feeling like you didn’t do enough… this episode is for you. We’re talking about mom guilt—the kind that shows up in the middle of busy schedules, expensive groceries, picky eaters, and trying to be everywhere at once. The kind that makes you question if you’re getting it all wrong. But what if the things you feel guilty about… aren’t the things your kids will remember? This is an honest conversation about parenting in survival mode, asking for help, letting go of impossible standards, and realizing that your kids might be holding onto the laughter—not the stress. You’re not alone in this. And you might be doing better than you think. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- Apr 9, 202632 min
Pride, Pressure, and ‘What’s Next?’ After Graduation (The Part No One Talks About)
This week we discuss: What parents wish they had done earlier in high school Transition planning and graduation pathways Supports like OVR and how to access them The emotional shift when your child turns 18 Social challenges and independence after graduation Handling the “what’s next?” question Advice for parents entering this stage For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- Mar 26, 202632 min
The High Cost of Being a Good Parent Right Now
Everything feels more expensive right now, and parents are the ones carrying the stress of trying to make it all work. Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Housing costs more. Even the little things add up fast. And when you’re raising kids, especially kids who need extra support, that pressure does not stay on the budget spreadsheet. It shows up in the guilt, the exhaustion, the second-guessing, and the constant feeling that no matter how hard you work, it is still not enough. Today's conversation is for parents who are doing the math, cutting back, feeling stretched, and wondering why it still feels so hard. You are not failing. It really is that expensive right now. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
- Mar 14, 202633 min
When Your Life Is a Dumpster Fire But You Still Have to Be a Mom
Some days it feels like your life is a dumpster fire. Other days it feels like the whole world is. Either way, parenting doesn't stop. This week we're talking about what it's like to keep functioning when everything feels overwhelming - whether it's chaos in your own family, stress from the news cycle, or a child who is struggling in ways other people can't see. Because the truth is, the school emails still come. Dinner still has to happen and work still expects your to show up with a smile. We're talking about surviving parenting when life feels like too much - letting go of perfection, leaning on friends, finding humor in absurd moments, and sometimes just getting through the day 10 seconds at a time. If you've ever looked like you had it together on the outside while everything felt chaotic behind the scenes, you're not alone. For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-helpFind out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donationTo access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresourcesTo be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community
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About This Is Not What I Was Expecting
As moms who have watched our children struggle with their behavior or mental health, we remember so often feeling alone. If you’ve ever felt the same way—you’ve come to the right place! We are the people who get it. We know that parenting is not what you expected and may be a very different experience than your family and friends are having. Every other week our group of moms gather to share our stories, tips, and insights on managing the unique challenges that come with parenting our kiddos. From navigating insurance hurdles and waitlists to dealing with school issues and beyond, we cover it all. We laugh together, get angry at the system together, and most importantly, we support each other. If you're ever feeling like no one understand what you're going through, throw our podcast on. You belong here.
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