In this episode of Surviving Parenthood, Vida Carey is joined by Suzanne Sophos for a powerful conversation about redefining traditional parenting approaches. Suzanne shares her transformative journey as a parent and the moment she realized that traditional parenting methods simply didn’t work for her child.

Together, they explore what it looks like to shift from control and compliance to support, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Suzanne reframes parenting as a partnership—seeing children not as adversaries, but as teammates navigating life together. This episode offers deep insight into child development, emotional regulation, and how understanding a child’s struggles can completely change the parent-child dynamic.

This conversation is especially meaningful for parents raising neurodivergent or emotionally sensitive children and anyone questioning whether “conventional” parenting advice truly fits their family.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional parenting methods don’t work for every child—and that’s okay.
• Understanding a child’s struggles can shift how parents respond and connect.
• Parenting is more effective when it’s a team effort, not a power struggle.
• Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in healthy parenting.
• Children often act out because they are overwhelmed or struggling internally.
• Supporting children through challenges builds trust and long-term resilience.
• Rethinking the parent-child relationship can lead to better emotional outcomes.
• Collaboration fosters safety, growth, and mutual respect.
• Parenting requires adaptability, curiosity, and compassion.

Keywords: parenting support, child development, parenting styles, emotional intelligence, supportive parenting, neurodivergent children, parent-child relationship, collaborative parenting

In this impactful episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, Vida sits down with Jon Foote, high school English teacher, parent, and mental health advocate, for a raw and relatable conversation about therapy, depression, and the power of taking proactive steps toward healing.

Together, they unpack the challenges neurodivergent individuals face when seeking support, the importance of mental health education, and why even the smallest proactive action can be transformative during depressive episodes. Jon shares his personal experiences with therapy, loneliness, and motivation, offering insight into how hope—no matter how elusive—can be the anchor that pulls us forward.

This episode is a reassuring reminder that therapy is worth the investment, knowledge is power, and reaching out for help can change everything.

Takeaways

• Therapy is consistently worth the emotional and financial investment.
• Knowledge empowers neurodivergent individuals to better understand themselves.
• Being proactive is crucial—especially during depression when motivation is low.
• Finding the energy to take action can feel impossible, but small steps matter.
• Hope is a powerful motivator, even when it feels out of reach.
• Believing in your ability to improve is essential to mental wellness.
• Therapy offers structure, insight, and validation that many neurodivergent adults were never given.

Keywords
therapy for neurodivergent adults, mental health tools, depression support, motivation during depression, hope and healing, proactive mental health strategies, benefits of therapy, mental health education, neurodivergent mental wellness, Jon Foote interview

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode, Vida sits down with Luna Hande—comedian, creator, co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast, and the beloved “Luna the Zebra Mom” across social media. Luna shares her late-diagnosis journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), autism, ADHD, lipedema, dysautonomia, and what it’s like parenting a neurodivergent teen while navigating disability, medical gaslighting, and generational trauma.

This conversation is full of honesty, humor, science, lived experience, and heart—especially for neurodivergent parents who are fighting to advocate for both their children and themselves.

In This Episode We Discuss:

✨ Luna’s Story & Late Diagnosis

• Her journey to discovering she had hypermobile EDS, autism, ADHD, and other comorbid conditions in her 40s
• How her daughter’s 10-month intractable migraine led to uncovering their shared genetic conditions
• Navigating complex comorbidities: lipedema, dysautonomia, chronic pain, fatigue, OCD, anxiety & depression

✨ Neurodivergent Parenting & Identity

• Why parenting as a neurodivergent person is both uniquely challenging and uniquely powerful
• Raising neurodivergent teens to advocate for themselves—without abandoning our own needs
• The reality of sensory differences inside the home and how they impact parent-child dynamics

✨ Community, Culture & System Barriers

• Why neurodivergent and disabled families need community—not self-sacrifice
• What past generations had (community) that many parents today are missing

Who This Episode Is For

✔ Neurodivergent parents
✔ Parents raising autistic/ADHD teens
✔ Anyone exploring late diagnosis
✔ People with chronic illness, pain, or hypermobility
✔ Caregivers navigating medical bias
✔ Anyone seeking compassion, humor, and validation


About Luna Hand

Luna Hand is a comedian, creator, hypermobility educator, and co-host of the Hacking Hypermobility podcast. Known online as Luna the Zebra Mom, she uses humor and research to bring awareness to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, neurodivergence, and the complexities of disability.

Find Luna on TikTok & Instagram: @LunaTheZebraMom
Listen to the Hacking Hypermobility Podcast wherever you get audio.


Connect With Us

Follow Vida for more conversations on neurodivergent parenting, advocacy, and living authentically. Have questions about coaching, parenting, raising kids, or interested in being a guest? Connect with me on socials or send me an email.

TikTok @theneurodivergentteacher

Instagram @the.neurodivergentteacher

Email Vida@theneurodivergentteacher.com

In this episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, host Vida Carey — a neurodivergent parent and educator — sits down with Dr. Jessica Myszak, a neuroaffirming psychologist, for an insightful and compassionate conversation about the realities of parenting while neurodivergent.

Together, they explore the unique challenges and triumphs that come with neurodivergent parenting, from managing parent guilt to learning how to set healthy boundaries and reparent the inner child. Dr. Myszak shares expert insights on how parents can support neurodivergent children with patience, understanding, and authenticity while also supporting themselves.

This heartfelt episode reminds listeners that there’s no such thing as perfect parenting — only growth, creativity, and resilience. By embracing imperfection and leaning into community, neurodivergent parents can find healing, balance, and deeper connection with their children and themselves.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting is challenging for everyone, but especially for neurodivergent individuals.
• Community and mutual support are vital for neurodivergent parents.
• Perfection isn’t the goal — authenticity is.
• Healthy boundaries create space for balance and calm.
• Reparenting your inner child can lead to healing and growth.
• Supporting neurodivergent children requires empathy and patience.
• Self-compassion helps manage parent guilt and burnout.
• Letting kids experience failure helps them build confidence and resilience.
• Neurodivergent parents bring unique insights, creativity, and strengths to their families.

Keywords: neurodivergent parenting, community support, parent guilt, setting boundaries, reparenting, neuroaffirming care, resilience, creativity, embracing imperfection, supporting children

In this episode of Surviving Parenthood: Neurodivergent Edition, host Vida Carey welcomes guest Melanie Branch for a deeply honest conversation about the challenges of parenting while neurodivergent.

Together, they unpack what it means to parent while in survival mode, the process of discovering and understanding their own ADHD and autism, and how embracing imperfection can lead to healthier, more joyful family dynamics.

Vida and Melanie discuss the power of boundaries, energy management, and self-care as acts of self-preservation — not selfishness. They share personal stories of growth, burnout, and breakthroughs, offering a compassionate reminder that neurodivergent parents are often cycle breakers doing the best they can with the tools they have.

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, authenticity, and redefining success in motherhood and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting while neurodivergent presents unique emotional and practical challenges.
• Many parents receive their diagnoses later in life, reshaping self-understanding.
• Living in survival mode can create chronic stress and exhaustion.
• Clear boundaries are essential for emotional regulation and peace.
• Self-care isn’t optional — it’s foundational to effective parenting.
• Children thrive when they feel safe, seen, and heard.
• Perfection isn’t the goal — progress and presence matter most.
• Open communication fosters trust and connection with children.
• Managing energy helps balance parenting, work, and mental health.
• Every parenting journey is personal — comparison steals joy.

In this episode of Surviving Parenthood, host Vida Carey sits down with Shelli Stanley, a fellow neurodivergent parent, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about the realities of raising children while managing autism, ADHD, and everyday life.

Together, they explore the transformative impact of a diagnosis, how it brings clarity and understanding, and how communication and self-advocacy become vital tools in building healthier family dynamics. Shelly opens up about her journey through overstimulation, the challenges of societal expectations, and how she’s learned to adapt her parenting strategies to align with her neurodivergent strengths.

This deeply honest conversation sheds light on the emotional complexity of parenting while neurodivergent — and offers hope, validation, and practical insight for anyone walking a similar path.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting can be uniquely challenging — and rewarding — for neurodivergent individuals.
• A diagnosis provides clarity and helps reframe past experiences.
• Open communication builds stronger relationships with children.
• Overstimulation is real and can significantly impact parenting.
• Self-advocacy matters for both parents and children.
• Active listening and observation help meet children’s needs more effectively.
• Parenting strategies can (and should) be tailored to neurodivergent traits.
• Societal expectations can shape — and sometimes strain — parenting approaches.
• Alcohol is sometimes used as a coping mechanism, but it is a slippery slope. Awareness can lead to healthier stress management.
• Reflection and growth are key parts of evolving as a parent.

Keywords: neurodivergent parenting, autism, ADHD, parenting challenges, relationships, communication, diagnosis, overstimulation, self-advocacy, growth

In this episode of Surviving Parenthood, host Vida Carey sits down with ADHD Coach Ron Capalbo to unpack the realities of parenting while neurodivergent. Together, they explore the complexities of ADHD, the impact of a late diagnosis, and how self-awareness reshapes the parenting journey.

Vida and Ron dive deep into practical coping mechanisms, self-care strategies, and emotional regulation techniques that help parents navigate sensory overload and burnout. Ron offers thoughtful insights on learning through mistakes, forgiving ourselves as parents, and recognizing that growth often happens in small, quiet steps.

This candid, compassionate conversation reminds listeners that neurodivergent parenting is not about perfection—it’s about presence, resilience, and radical self-understanding.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting can be uniquely challenging—and rewarding—for neurodivergent individuals.
• A late ADHD diagnosis often sparks powerful self-reflection and healing.
• Coping mechanisms and emotional regulation tools are essential for balance.
• Prioritizing self-care allows parents to show up more fully for their kids.
• Children are often more forgiving and empathetic than we think.
• Unrealistic external expectations can amplify pressure and guilt.
• Learning from mistakes fosters growth and connection.
• Managing overstimulation is a daily practice for many neurodivergent parents.
• Small, consistent improvements lead to long-term change.
• Sharing struggles builds community and reduces shame.

Keywords: neurodivergent parenting, ADHD, parenting challenges, self-care, coping mechanisms, late diagnosis, parenting advice, emotional regulation, sensory issues, parenting dynamics

#survivingparenthood #neurodivergentparents #parentingishard

In this very first episode of Surviving Parenthood, host Vida Carey opens up about her personal journey as a neurodivergent parent. Diagnosed later in life with ADHD and autism, Vida reflects on how these experiences shape her parenting—both the struggles and the victories.

She shares a vulnerable story about a difficult encounter with her children’s pediatrician that highlights the unique challenges neurodivergent parents often face. At the same time, she celebrates her children’s growth and reminds listeners of the importance of resilience, love, and community support.

This episode is both a candid look at the realities of parenting with neurodivergence and a hopeful reminder that every day is a fresh chance to try again.

Key Takeaways

• Parenting can be especially complex for neurodivergent individuals.
• A late ADHD or autism diagnosis often reshapes how parents understand themselves.
• Parenting “failures” can bring up shame—but also powerful lessons.
• Supportive community makes all the difference.
• Celebrating small wins helps keep momentum.
• Resilience and love matter more than perfection.
• Every day is an opportunity to begin again.

Memorable Sound Bites

• “Our stories matter too.”
• “I try to do all the things.”
• “Parenting is so hard.”

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 – Welcome to Surviving Parenthood
• 01:44 – Vida’s Story: ADHD + Autism Diagnosis
• 07:06 – Parenting Challenges & the “ADHD Tax”
• 15:28 – Celebrating Parenting Wins
• 19:40 – Lessons Learned & Moving Forward