Chronic Illness Moms | Feel Better, Stress Relief, Fatigue, Inflammation, Brain Fog, Healthy Habits, Neurodivergent

16. Feeling Stressed as a Mom Parenting Your Neurodivergent Child? How We Can Find Grace and Support

Hey Mamas!
Have you ever been told that you are SuperMom for parenting your child with special needs? Or that people don't see how you do it all as far as caring for your kids, juggling therapies, and all the things that parenting our kids requires?
I know I have had that said to me, or something similar, many times over the years. I want to chat with you today about how I feel that mindset of being SuperMom is often actually not helpful for us as Moms.
Parenting a child with special needs can be incredibly rewarding, but it's also incredibly challenging. There are days when you might feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched thin. And that's okay! You're not alone in feeling that way.
Remember, there's no shame in admitting that you need some extra support. And we don’t have the keep the expectation that we do all the things, all the time. Let's talk about what the Bible has to say about how the burdens that we carry while helping our kids to grow into healthy, thriving adults really aren't a source for us to feel proud of ourselves for all of our accomplishments, but instead are a place to rest in the grace and love of Jesus.
XO,
Ashley 
 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood

15. Trying to Reduce Screen Time as a Special Needs Mom? Some of My favorite Screen Free Ideas to Entertain My Kids

Do you struggle with feeling like your kids are on screens too much, but you can't find a good alternative to replace some of their screen time?
Have you found setting boundaries for yourself with your phone to be really difficult to stick to?
Today I share some great screen-free alternatives that can provide your children with some entertainment! We also talk about some options that use screens, but how we can adapt those to make them less stimulating to our kids.
And if you're struggling to stick with your own boundaries around scrolling your phone, tune in to my simple hack for limiting the addictive nature your phone can have on you!
XO,
Ashley
Toniebox: $15 off coupon HERE 
Geminii: HERE
Mathseeds & Reading Eggs: HERE
*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using one of my links, I may earn commission, but at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood

14. Benefits We Have Seen From Reducing Screen Time for Our Neurodiverse Children

Do you notice negative effects from screen time for your kids, but you also rely on screens to help educate or entertain your child with special needs? 
If you have a child who is Neurodivergent, you may find them being drawn even MORE to screens, which can make the idea of limiting screen time seem even more challenging. 
Today we talk about some of the research behind the negative effects that screens can have on our kids. If you notice your children are consistently overstimulated, struggling to concentrate, anxious, or obsessed with their games or devices, you're going to want to listen to today's episode! We are going to have some real talk about the problems that can come from too much screen time and what we can do about it as busy moms who often feel we need screen time for our kids as a way of getting a break! Here we go!
XO, 
Ashley 
Products for Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Health
*This post contains affiliate links. If  you use my links I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood

13. 5 Tips to Manage Stress as a Mom Parenting Differently-abled Kids

Parenthood is stressful at times, am I right? It's an amazing blessing to raise these precious kids, but there are days when it feels like WE may not make it until the end of the day. 
When we are parenting kids with special needs, at times, the feelings of stress can be amplified. Oftentimes as caregivers, we rarely (or never) get breaks. This can only add to our stress and the feelings of isolation and overwhelm. 
If you've found yourself struggling to manage your stress in ways that feel healthy and that actually work, please listen as I share 5 of my favorite tips that I use daily to help manage my own stress levels. An added bonus is that many of these tips can also help our children stay calm and relaxed as well! 
XO,
Ashley 
 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood

12. My #1 Tip for Eliminating Stress Over Kids’ Clothing as a Busy Special Needs Mom

Does this sound familiar? You start your morning out feeling behind, scrambling to get everyone dressed for the day, trying to find matching outfits, or some days, just clean clothes...who cares if they match! You finally make it out of the door, but you're late (again.) 
I know this has been a scene in my home more than once as I tried to get my kids to their speech and occupational therapies! 
Often as a Mom with differently-abled kids, our children may have some kind of disability that requires us to pick out their clothes and offer them extra help with getting dressed and ready for the day. If we aren't prepared, this can add to our stress as we are trying to get out of the door on time. 
I want to share with you in today's episode one of my favorite tips for eliminating some of the stress and overwhelm we can feel with our morning routines when it comes to getting our children dressed and ready to start the day! 
If you want to find a simple way to make your mornings feel a lot more relaxed (and start to actually make it to places on time!) then you're going to want to listen in! Let's do this!
Ashley 
 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/

11. Could Gardening Help Your Child With SPD Try New Foods? My Favorite Tips for Beginning Gardeners!

If you have a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, you may know what a struggle it can for them to be open to trying new foods. 
I started gardening as a hobby for myself then quickly realized it had even MORE benefits than I had ever thought possible. I share today all about the amazing things we have seen come from growing our own backyard garden (hint: it's not just the fact that my kids are willing to try new foods!) 
In today's episode you're also going to hear how to start a beginner's garden in a way that can feel really simple! I can't wait to hear what you're growing at your house this year!
XO,
Ashley 
Greenstalk Planter get $10 off here.
MIGardener: migardener.com
Baker Creek: rareseeds.com
*This post contains some affiliate links. If you use my link I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/

10. 5 Ideas You Can Implement TODAY to Help Your Child When They are Having a Meltdown

You're out in public and it's apparent your child is overstimulated and having a meltdown. Everyone is staring and you have NO idea how to help your child. Ever been there? Yeah, me too. 
In today's episode I share some of my favorite tips for helping our children when they are feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. 
Tune in for some real talk about the negative feelings that can come up for us as Moms during these moments - shame, embarrassment, or  frustration, to name a few. If you've been on this struggle bus more times than you'd like to admit, know you aren't alone! Listen in for some of my favorite ways to work through these tough moments as a special needs Mom. 
XO,
Ashley 
 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/

09. Is Church Challenging as a Special Needs Family? Ways You Can Find Support and Community With Other Christians

Hello Mamas!
One thing that I have noticed over and over is that finding support within the church as a special needs family can be very challenging. So many different things can play a role in making it very difficult for us to be engaged and active within our church body.
I share today some of the ways the Lord has shown me how to step out and find a community of believers who will love and support all members of my family, and especially my differently-abled kids. 
If you have found the area of church attendance to be a point of stress and disappointment over the years, you are going to want to tune in to today's episode! I hope you are challenged and encouraged to step out and make an impact within your Christian community!
XO,
Ashley 
 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/

08. My Favorite Cleaning Routine That Works AND Doesn’t Leave You Stressed Out

Hello Mamas!
I think keeping our homes clean in a way that feels effortless is a struggle we ALL have! Throw in the fact that we may have one or more children with a disability that requires extra care from us, cleaning can feel like something that just isn't possible to get done.
While I haven't mastered the cleaning feeling effortless part (because, hello 4 kids!) I HAVE figured out a way to keep our home clean that builds teamwork, increases communication, and doesn't leave me feeling overwhelmed every single day of the week. 
Listen to today's episode where I share what is working for us to keep our home clean in a way that feels super manageable! The best part is, you can adapt this to fit YOUR unique family's needs when it comes to routines in your home with your differently-abled child. 
 
XO,
Ashley 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/

07. Part 2: Simple Tips for Using Cleaner Skincare and Cleaning Products in Your Home

Hello Mamas, 
In today's episode we are going to dive into the world of clean skincare and cleaning products. 
We will talk about some ingredients to avoid and simple ways that you can start replacing the products you use in your home. 
Whether you're just starting your holistic lifestyle journey or you've already made great strides in this area, this podcast is for you! 
Join us as we talk about ways to make your skincare and cleaning practices much for sustainable and healthier!
XO,
Ashley 
Links mentioned:
Favorite Skin & Beauty Products: Earthley
Azure Standard
EWG Skin Deep: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Think Dirty: https://thinkdirtyapp.com/
*This post contains affiliate links. If you use my link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! 
I would love to connect even more with you! Please email me or reach out to me on social media!
Email: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook: facebook.com/specialkindofmotherhood
Instagram: instagram.com/specialkind.ofmotherhood/