In honor of Mother's Day, this episode explores the complicated reality of parenting while living with severe mental health challenges. We start by sharing some of the positives of parenting — the moments of love, pride, and joy that keep us going even on the hardest days.

From there, we open up about the very real physical struggles that can come with parenting while battling mental illness: cooking, cleaning, driving, keeping up with appointments, and simply getting through the day. We also talk about the emotional side of parenting — learning emotional regulation and trying to model healthy coping skills while struggling ourselves. We get honest about parenting while dysregulated and how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be.

This conversation also takes a deeper look at how our own childhood experiences and relationships with our parents continue to shape our mental health and parenting today. We share raw, personal stories from our younger years and reflect on the cycles we’re trying to break.

This episode is vulnerable, emotional, and deeply real — for anyone navigating parenthood, mental health, or the lasting impact of childhood trauma.

Coping Chaos is hosted and produced by KJ Cervi and Leia Williams. Audio mixed and edited by KJ Cervi. Our theme song is by Lucas Cervi and Leia Williams. Artwork is created by Lucas Cervi.

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Please feel free to rate and review wherever you stream. Send us your questions, Stories and Chaos Corner moments to Copingchaospodcast@gmail.com