Ep 57: The importance of community when you have a neurodivergent child
Host: Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.
Guest: Megan Champion
Megan Champion, M. Ed., is a 15-year elementary education teacher and the mother of three children, including her neurodivergent son. After years of shame, guilt, and loneliness due to her child's behavioral challenges, she searched for a way to connect with other mothers raising children like hers. In January of 2021, she launched the On The Hard Days Podcast and realized how many mothers were quietly struggling and seeking support. In August of 2021, she launched Mothers Together, a support group-style community for moms raising neurodivergent children.
Summary:
In today’s episode, we are joined by Megan Champion. She shares with us her journey being a mother to a neurodivergent child and we learn the difference between tantrums and meltdowns and define what sensory sensitivities are. Megan sheds light on how she would like mothers of neurodivergent and neurotypical children to support each other and explains what she looks for in parenting advice platforms online. She gives us an insight into how to beat “mom guilt”. Tune in to find out why Cindy labels her kids as air, water, and fire and understand what parenting the “Champion way” means. Today’s episode is all about giving yourself a break and doing what works best at the moment.
Resources:
Join Megan and other mothers on Instagram
Mother Together support group
On the hard day's podcast
TILT parenting podcast
Books discussed this episode
The explosive child “what you could do”