In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I welcome Dr. Anne McIntosh back for our third conversation together! Dr. McIntosh is a communication scientist, professor, author, and founder and CEO of Safe’N’Clear, the company behind the world’s first FDA-approved transparent surgical face mask. Her work brings together communication, accessibility, inclusion, and innovation, with a particular passion for creating greater access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

Together, we have a powerful conversation about how we view disability, recognize our children's strengths, and support them in becoming confident, independent advocates for themselves. Dr. McIntosh shares her perspective on deafness as a “superpower,” why our children don't need to be “fixed,” and how parents can shift from making decisions for their children to making decisions with them.

We also talk about giving children a seat at the table, including involving them in their IEP meetings and other decisions that impact their lives. We explore how parents can support independence without unintentionally creating learned helplessness, why appropriate discomfort and failure are important parts of growth, and how giving children opportunities to explore their interests can help build confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy.

Whether you're parenting a child with a disability, navigating an IEP, working on building your child's independence, or simply trying to raise a child who trusts their own voice, this episode is filled with encouragement, perspective, and practical takeaways.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Dr. McIntosh views deafness as a “superpower”• Recognizing the strengths and perspectives that come with experiencing the world differently• Why our children are not problems that need to be “fixed”• The difference between removing barriers and trying to change the child• Why our fears as parents aren't always the same as our children's fears• The importance of including children in decisions that affect their lives• Why children deserve a seat at the table during conversations about their education and future• How involving children in IEP meetings can build self-advocacy and ownership• Supporting independence without stepping in to solve every problem• What learned helplessness is and how we can unintentionally contribute to it• Why appropriate discomfort, failure, and problem-solving are important parts of growth• How allowing children to explore their own interests can build confidence and resilience• What true inclusion looks like in schools, healthcare, and everyday life• Why accessibility means more than simply having access—it means being able to participate and have a voice• Practical ways parents can help their children develop independence and self-advocacy

Connect with Dr. Anne McIntosh:🌐 Safe'N'Clear: https://www.safenclear.com📧 Email: Anne.McIntosh@SafeNClear.com

A takeaway I hope you leave this episode with:

As parents, it can be incredibly difficult to step back. We want to protect our children, prevent frustration, and make things easier for them.

But sometimes, our job isn't to remove every challenge.

Sometimes, it's to make sure our children have the support, access, and tools they need and then give them the opportunity to try.

To make decisions.To make mistakes.To problem-solve.To speak up.To discover what they're capable of.

What is one thing you might be ready to start doing WITH your child instead of FOR your child?

If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may need this reminder.

Our children don't need us to create a life without challenges. They need us to believe in their ability to navigate them. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Melissa, special education teacher, Wilson Reading instructor, and mom of two, for an honest conversation about dyslexia, reading challenges, parent advocacy, and what it means to support children who learn differently.

Melissa shares how her experience as both an educator and a parent has shaped the way she works with families. Together, we discuss the early signs of reading difficulties, why some children need more than traditional classroom instruction, and how parents can confidently advocate for the evaluations and supports their child needs.

Whether you're wondering if your child is struggling with reading, navigating intervention services, or trying to understand what dyslexia really looks like, this episode is filled with practical guidance, encouragement, and reassurance that you're not alone.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why early intervention matters when children are struggling with reading and spelling
• The differences between classroom reading instruction, intervention services, and Wilson Reading
• What makes structured literacy effective for children with dyslexia and other reading challenges
• Early signs of dyslexia and reading difficulties parents should watch for
• How reading, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension are all connected
• Understanding Response to Intervention (RTI) and knowing when it's time to ask, "What's next?"
• Why some children compensate for reading challenges—and why those struggles often become more noticeable in later elementary school
• Melissa's perspective as both a special education teacher and a mom navigating speech delays and medical challenges with her own children
• Why labels don't define a child. They simply help identify the supports they need
• Practical steps parents can take if they suspect their child is struggling with reading
• The importance of trusting your instincts and advocating early for evaluation and intervention
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Connect with Melissa:

🌐 Website: https://pittsfordreading.com/

📩 Contact Melissa through the contact form on her website.

Ready to Walk Into Your Child's Next IEP Meeting with Confidence?

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that parents know their children best.

If something doesn't feel quite right, trust your instincts. Asking questions, requesting data, and understanding your child's options are all important parts of advocating for the support they need.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the special education process or unsure how to prepare for your child's next IEP meeting, I'd love to invite you to my FREE live workshop:

How to Walk Into Your Child's IEP Meeting Calm, Prepared & Confident

📅 Friday, August 14th
🕑 2:00 pm EST

During this free workshop, you'll learn how to:

• Walk into your child's IEP meeting feeling calm and prepared
• Know which questions to ask (and when to ask them)
• Better understand the special education process
• Advocate confidently while building collaborative relationships with your child's team
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✨ Reserve your free spot here

I can't wait to see you there!

If this episode encouraged you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may be wondering if their child needs additional reading support. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and every parent deserves the confidence to advocate for the support their child needs. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Morgan Tota, speech-language pathologist, owner of Tota Communication Therapy LLC, mom of four, and founder of The Wait With You Foundation, for an honest conversation about high-risk pregnancy, maternal mental health, asking for help, and finding purpose through adversity.

Morgan shares the deeply personal story of her seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy with her youngest son, Danny. She opens up about the emotional toll of living in the hospital, navigating motherhood from a hospital room, and the invisible mental health challenges that so many families experience during complicated pregnancies.

Out of that difficult season came The Wait With You Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing high-risk pregnancies and extended hospital stays through comfort kits, community resources, and compassionate support.

Together, we also discuss the importance of asking for help, the power of community, and why meeting children and parents where they are can make all the difference.

Whether you've experienced a high-risk pregnancy, spent time in the NICU, are navigating a medical journey with your family, or simply need the reminder that you don't have to carry everything alone, this episode is filled with hope, honesty, and encouragement.

• Morgan's experience with a seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy
• The emotional and mental health impact of prolonged hospitalization before birth
• The unique challenges families face during high-risk pregnancies and NICU journeys
• How The Wait With You Foundation was inspired by Morgan's personal experience
• Why asking for specific help allows others to better support you
• The importance of community during difficult seasons of parenthood
• Navigating guilt, self-blame, and uncertainty as a parent
• How healthcare providers can better support families through compassionate communication
• Why developmental expectations should be adjusted for premature infants
• Turning difficult experiences into meaningful change for other families

💙 Website: https://www.waitwithyoufoundation.org/home

📸 Instagram: thewaitwithyoufoundation

🎁 Support through the Amazon Wishlist

🤍 Donate to The Wait With You Foundation

If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to subscribe to Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's often the first step toward healing.

And if you know someone navigating a high-risk pregnancy, prolonged hospital stay, or NICU journey, we hope you'll share Morgan's story with them. Sometimes simply knowing you're not alone can make all the difference. 🤍