Overcome the Overwhelm for Special Needs Moms: Recent Episodes
lauren lowery
Welcome to Overcome the Overwhelm, a podcast for special needs moms. If you’ve been looking for a resource on how to reduce your stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and all the other problems that come with parenting a child with disabilities, you’ve found the right place. Each week, this podcast will bring you the tools you need to meet the challenges that come with being a busy special needs mom. This podcast will teach you how to find new ways of thinking, help you find more energy and time, and create more joy in your life.
In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of resistance—those moments when you know what you need to do but just can’t seem to take action. Whether it’s asking for help, taking care of yourself, or even something as simple as folding the laundry, resistance shows up in our daily lives in sneaky ways.
I’m sharing all the details on why we resist, how it impacts our mental, emotional, and even financial health, and practical strategies to end the cycle of avoidance.
You’ll learn how resistance might be keeping you stuck in overwhelm, how to recognize it when it shows up, and small steps you can take today to start moving through it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- What resistance really is and why it shows up in everyday life
- The emotional and mental blocks behind common forms of resistance
- How resistance can lead to more overwhelm, stress, and burnout
- Practical strategies for identifying and moving through resistance
- The importance of self-compassion when dealing with resistance
Connect with Me:
- Instagram: @Lauren_nia_lowery
- Website: www.lowerylifecoaching.com
Do you ever feel like you’re not patient enough, not present enough, or just not a good mom? You’re not alone—and in this episode we’re tackling those deep-seated beliefs that make you feel like you're falling short.
We are diving into the real reason so many moms believe they’re not doing enough and why those thoughts keep us stuck in a cycle of guilt and frustration.
You’ll learn:
- Why the belief that you’re not a good mom is sabotaging your actions as a mom
- How our self-criticism as moms differs from the grace we extend to others
- The mindset shifts that can help you break the cycle of guilt and burnout
- How you can begin to feel more present and patient without chasing perfection
Through this episode, you’ll learn why you’re already a good mom—and how to truly believe it, so you can show up for your kids with more ease, joy, and confidence.
In this episode, we explore two types of tiredness and busyness:
The first one leaves you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and like you are barely surviving.
While the second kind leaves you feeling fulfilled and capable of handling whatever gets thrown your way.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The Two Types of Busy: Discover how feeling overwhelmed and disconnected differs from a busy life that feels grounded and present.
- Signs of Disconnection: Learn about common factors that can take you out of connection with yourself and your family.
- Strategies for Reconnection: practical steps to shift from disconnection to connection
- How to Create Joyful Presence: Understand how to cultivate a sense of joy and presence amidst your daily responsibilities and challenges (even the ones you hate doing).
Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to leave a review and share it with others! Your support helps me reach more listeners and help more moms, thank you!
In this episode, we're diving into one of my favorite tools for personal growth—lists!
If you've worked with me before, you know how much I love lists. They help us focus on what's important and give our brains direction. So I'm sharing five powerful guided lists that will help you feel more confident and adequate in your parenting, and also help you show up as the best mom you can be.
In this episode, I dive into a personal story about a little app that gave me a big wake-up call. After downloading the Finch app, I realized that I had been putting off something crucial to my well-being: one of my favorite hobbies.
This hobby isn’t just a pastime; it’s a vital part of how I manage stress and stay grounded as a special needs mom.
Join me as I share why hobbies are far from frivolous—they're essential. I’ll walk you through the importance of making time for the things that bring you joy and how honoring these commitments to ourselves is a powerful act of self-care and self-love.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed or struggling to find balance, this episode is the reminder you need to prioritize what truly matters.
Key Takeaways:
- How the Finch app revealed a blind spot in my self-care routine.
- Why hobbies play a critical role in managing stress and preventing burnout.
- Practical tips on how to carve out time for your passions, even with a busy schedule.
- The importance of honoring the commitments you make to yourself and how it can positively impact your overall well-being.
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear about the hobbies you’re going to prioritize moving forward! Share your thoughts and experiences by tagging me on Instagram @lauren_nia_lowery. Let’s support each other in making time for what truly matters!
Keywords: stress management for moms, special needs mom life, importance of hobbies, self-care tips for moms, time management for busy moms, overcoming overwhelm, podcast for special needs moms, life coach for special needs moms, Finch app review, how to make time for hobbies
Are you burnt out?
Many parents are hesitant to answer this question honestly, for fear that it might mean they are weak, not good parents, or not taking the best care of their children.
But the truth is, burnout means none of those things.
In this episode, I’m sharing the truth about. Including:
- How to know if you are experiencing burnout
- What the first step to fixing burnout is
- Why the internet has it all wrong about parental burnout
In this powerful episode of Overcome the Overwhelm for Special Needs Moms, we dive deep into the impact of self-compassion and authenticity in inspiring change.
Often, when we make mistakes or don’t show up as we’d like, we tend to criticize and shame ourselves. But what if, instead of shaming ourselves, we approached these moments with grace and self-compassion?
This episode explores how showing up authentically, embracing our imperfections, and being kind to ourselves can not only transform our own lives but also inspire those around us.
By modeling self-compassion, we send a powerful message to others: it’s okay to make mistakes, and we don’t need to hide behind shame. Instead, we can use these moments as opportunities for growth and connection.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-Compassion as a Catalyst for Change: Learn how extending compassion to yourself during difficult moments can lead to personal growth and inspire others to do the same.
- The Power of Authenticity: Discover why being authentic and open about your struggles can create a ripple effect, encouraging those around you to embrace their own imperfections.
- Breaking the Cycle of Shame: Understand how shame can hold us back, and how practicing self-compassion can break this cycle, allowing for positive change and deeper connections.
Tune In To Learn:
- How to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion in moments of failure or mistakes.
- Ways to inspire change in others by modeling grace and authenticity.
- Why social media influencers are not the true inspiration we need.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re inspiring change in your journey as a special needs mom. Share your thoughts and experiences by tagging us on Instagram @lauren_nia_lowery
Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more special needs moms and create content that truly resonates.
As special needs parents, it's all too common to feel a pang of jealousy when we see families with typically developing children.
This jealousy can lead to resentment, isolation, and even a sense of defeat.
In this episode, I’m sharing:
- The root causes of jealousy and how it often stems from feelings of scarcity and self-worth.
- The impact jealousy can have on our relationships with others as well as our approach to parenting
- Strategies to manage and overcome this jealousy
Connect with Lauren:
- Instagram: @lauren_nia_lowery
- Facebook: Overcome the Overwhelm for Special Needs Moms
- Website: www.lowerylifecoaching.com
Join our community of special needs moms and continue the conversation by subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing on your social media platforms.
In this episode, we're diving into the relationship between urgency and planning. If you often find yourself reacting to urgent matters and constantly putting out fires, it might be a sign that more prioritizing and planning in your life could be needed.
Takeaways:
- The difference between important tasks and urgent tasks
- The reason you might feel like you are constantly putting out fires and reacting to urgent tasks, and how to fix it
- How prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being can have a positive impact on all other areas of your life
- The benefits of having a well-managed mind as a special needs mom, including increased calmness, focus, kindness, and patience.
- Practical steps to shift your focus from reacting to urgent tasks to managing your priorities effectively.
Key Words:
Special needs moms
Urgency vs. planning
Prioritizing mental well-being
Managing your mind
Effective planning strategies
Reducing anxiety and overwhelm
Parenting with patience and kindness
Balancing business and family life
Practical tips for special needs moms
Improving emotional health
As a coach, I get to experience the magic of watching my clients transform their lives.
I get to see them change what kind of mother they are. I get to see them change how they treat themselves and how they feel about themselves. And I get to see them change their lives from stuck and miserable to fulfilled and present.
In this episode, I am sharing the secrets to how these transformations happen, including the MOST important step.
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://calendly.com/laurennialowery/business-coaching-session
https://www.instagram.com/laurenlowerycoaching/
In this episode we are throwing it back to one of my fan favorites from a couple of years ago where I am sharing 5 lists to make when you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and like you're trying to drink water from a firehose!
One of the most common reasons moms tend to neglect self-care is due to not having enough time. In this episode, I am sharing a list of 10+ ways you can get some self-care in, reduce stress, and feel better- all in less than 5 minutes.
When faced with a decision, are you afraid of making the wrong choice? Recently, I found myself spending way too much time and energy trying to find the “perfect” planner option, only to realize that perfect does not exist. In this episode, we talk about how searching for the perfect answer is actually stealing your time, energy, and joy- and what to do about it so you can feel good about your decisions no matter what.
Working Mom Guilt doesn’t have to be a given, and it might be doing more damage in your life than you even realize. In this episode, I teach you the steps to getting rid of Working Mom Guilt so you can feel proud of how you are showing up in both your career and motherhood. Note: Even if you are not a working mom, you’re still going to want to listen in to this episode because it’s going to help you with ANY sort of mom guilt!
It's incredibly common to lose yourself in motherhood, to no longer feel like you recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror. But oftentimes, we may not even know it's happening!How many of these signs do you have?Link to book your consult call:https://lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall/
Being a bookworm at heart, I wanted to share my top 5 favorite books that have helped me get through the hard times of life as a special needs mom.Some of the books on this list are inspiring, while others serve as functional guides to help make life easier. To access the links to each book mentioned, plus a few of my other favorites, click the link below:https://amzn.to/3Rgfa4u
As moms, we are constantly being bombarded with everyone’s needs, being touched, clutter all around us, loud noises, and sensory stimuli. And it can be, well, OVERWHELMING. Getting irritated, even angry, when it all becomes too much is not a sign that you are a bad mom, but rather a sign that you are overstimulated. In this episode, you’ll learn how you can structure your day to LOWER your chances of overstimulation, as well as what you can do if and when it does happen.
Part one of the two-part series on overstimulation. In this episode, we dive into what overstimulation is, what causes it, and why so many mom’s experience it.
Sometimes when our kids (or ourselves) are faced with a challenge, we lose control over our own emotions. We panic. We freak out. We can’t see a solution. In this episode, I am sharing a trick I found that has helped de-escalate meltdowns in my daughter, but has also been incredibly helpful for me as well. ***Ready to learn more about working with me? Go to https://lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall/ to get started!
Sometimes you stumble across something on the great wide web that just knocks you to your knees…In this episode, I am sharing a poem by an unknown author that I came across that made such an impact on me called “I am the Child.”Link to read the poem:http://www.oafccd.com/lanark/poems/child1.html
Have you ever found yourself jealous of all those “typical” families? Or found yourself constantly feeling worried about money, even when you have enough to cover all your expenses? In this episode, we dive into how having a Scarcity Mindset could be showing up for you, and impacting your finances, relationships, and potentially your child’s future. LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:https://lowerylifecoaching.com/thevillage/
As kids, we all loved to play. Life was full of adventures, joy, and silliness. But as we grow up and take on more responsibility, that ability to play starts to fade away. In this episode, I’m sharing why we all need to add more playfulness into our lives to help us be even better parents, and have less stress and more energy.
It starts with something setting you off, like your child having a massive meltdown, causing you to lose your cool and yell at them, which makes you feel really awful and brings up fears of inadequacy and shame….Sound familiar? In this episode, we talk about WHY moms yell, and WHY kids misbehave, and how the two are more closely connected than you may realize. LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODElowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder
The decisions we make every single day, especially the small ones, are what create our lives. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 decisions you can make that will not only have a profound affect on your own life, but your family’s lives as well.
As special needs moms, we face a lot of stressful challenges every single day.
And sometimes, those challenges can be overwhelming and leave us feeling frozen and unsure.
In this episode, I teach you how to drop the overwhelm and start tackling any challenging situation.
Ever find yourself too tired, too busy, and just too exhausted to do the things that make you happy?Well you are not alone. In this episode, we talk about the biggest thing that keeps moms from happiness, and what you can do about it.
Between nighttime care tasks, racing minds, and kids who wake us up, sleep doesn’t always come easy for special needs moms. In this episode, I’m sharing a few things you can do to help get more sleep and better sleep so you can have more energy during the day. Link mentioned in episodelowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall
It can be difficult to explain just how big of an impact coaching can have in your life, and just how much it changes you. It improves the quality of your relationships, it helps you experience more of the good, and less of the bad, and helps you stay in control over how you feel and the reactions you have when things don’t go right. In this episode, I am sharing two recent situations from my own life where coaching has made a difference. Links mentioned in episodeFREE MEDICAL BINDER: lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binderCONSULT CALL: lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall
Humans aren’t perfect. That’s a fact. But if this is true, then why do so many women, especially us special needs moms, feel as though they aren’t allowed to be human, and arent allowed to have human needs? In this episode, we talk about why you should give yourself permission to be human, and how not doing so is actually counterproductive. Link to schedule a call with me: lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall
As special needs moms, we face a lot of BIG decisions. Maybe it’s deciding whether or not a surgery is right for your child…Or deciding if you should leave a job or stay…Or trying to decide if adding to your family is the right choice…And these crossroads in our lives can leave us spinning out in confusion and indecision, fearful of picking the wrong choice. In this episode, I am sharing a tool that can help you put an end to the overwhelm of deciding and help you make the right choice. ***Learn more about The Village, my 6-month coaching program for special needs moms: lowerylifecoaching.com/thevillage
In this episode, I’m giving you an insider look at some of the work we do inside The Village. In this episode, I walk you through the process of helping one of my clients feel less overwhelmed and show up as the mom she wants to be.
If I had known how to do this ONE thing when my son was diagnosed, it would have saved me a lot of pain and suffering. In this episode, I'm sharing what this one thing is, why it's so important, and how to implement it in your own life. Schedule a Call with me www.lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall
When our kids get sick, it typically means a few nights of no sleep, a mountain of laundry and dishes, missed work, and a whole lot of stress and worry. In this episode, I am sharing 3 actionable things you can do to help make those challenging times more manageable, less stressful, and overall easier.Listen in to learn: •Ingenious hacks for taking care of yourself in the midst of caring for a sick child •How to make a game-changing "self-care kit" that only takes 5 minutes to assemble •How to make daily tasks more manageable without adding to the already too long to-do list •A powerful technique for countering those worst-case scenario thoughts and the anxiety that comes with them •How to keep your house (and brain) calm when s*** hits the fan Get Lauren's FREE Ultimate Medical Binder: lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder Follow Lauren: Instagram.com/lauren_nia_lowery
I asked followers on Instagram to fill in the blank of this sentence:"life as a special needs mom is ____" And after dozens of responses, there were two words that were consistently used: Exhausting and Fulfilling. In this episode, I'm sharing how finding the fulfillment in this life can help us move forward.
Link to check out The Villagewww.lowerylifecoaching.com/thevillageAnd as special needs moms, there is a lot that we can’t control. We can't control our child's diagnosis, the insurance companies, the things other people say to us....And a lot of times we get caught in a trap of feeling like we have no control over things, which triggers our fight or flight response and results in living in a chronic survival mode state. In this episode, I am teaching you why control is so important and how to gain control over your life so you can get out of survival mode.
Have you ever noticed your brain keeping a mental score of sorts? Maybe it's tallying all the times your husband forgets to do something, or all the ways in which your child's school is getting it wrong. When our brains keep score of things happening that we believe shouldn't be happening, it keeps us from ever taking the necessary actions to make any positive change. In this episode, I'm sharing how this might be showing up for you, why our brains love to do it, and how you can overcome it going forward instead of staying stuck in the misery.
LINK TO REGISTER FOR FREE COURSEhttps://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/tt0cXQu/FreecourseUnderstanding WHY you are stuck in Survival Mode is a key element of figuring out how to get out. In this episode, I am sharing the 5 main reasons why special needs moms get stuck in this cycle of Survival.
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, and I don’t set massive sky-high goals at the beginning of a new year.But I do choose a word. I decide on a theme, a core message, that I want to be my guiding light over the next 12 months. In this episode, I am opening up about my word of the year, why I picked it, and my exact process of how I chose it. *-QUESTIONS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE- •What did you love about last year? •What would you like to change about last year? •What do you want to have more of in your life? •How do you want to feel about the upcoming year once it’s complete? •What are some things you love and are passionate about? •What are some things you should let go of in 2024? •What would you like to change about yourself in the upcoming year? •What is your #1 priority for the upcoming year?
We meticulously plan how we spend our dollars, but when it comes to our limited minutes and hours.... well, most of us take the "wing it" approach. But what would your day look like if you valued your time as much as you'd value millions of dollars? Listen in to hear exactly how we waste time, and what we can do about it.
Ever feel stuck in the daily grind, just barely surviving?In this episode, I take you through a powerful exercise in setting priorities in your life that will help get you out of that rut and focused on the most important things. Grab some paper and a pen, because you are not going to want to miss out on figuring out your Top 5 Things in Life.
A lot of us get trapped thinking that there is one RIGHT treatment or therapy that is the key to helping our child hit those milestones.
We tend to think that if we just do ENOUGH research, we will surely find that one thing that will help them ______. (fill in the blank with walk, talk, sleep through the night…)
But when we get trapped in this mentality, it leaves us focused on the wrong things, exhausted, and stressed out.
In this episode, we talk about a different way to approach this topic and a different way to think about your child’s therapies and early interventions.
Sometimes it takes extra effort to make memories and experiences happen when you are a parent to a child with disabilities. More planning, effort, and energy goes into those vacations, outings, and holidays. And sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in how hard it all is and miss out on the joy. In this episode, I am sharing a recent experience of ours from a family vacation to one of the least accessible places we have been, and what I took away from the experience.
Sign up for Surviving the Holidays*Go to: lowerylifecoaching.com/holiday For most families, the last two months of the year are BUSY. With our schedules packed full of holiday parties, school programs, and all the seasonal festivities, it can be incredibly easy to feel like you are always rushing around with too much to do and not enough time. And let's face it, this can make the holiday season hard to enjoy. In this episode, I am sharing 3 unique ways that you can drop that holiday overwhelm and instead spend your time enjoying the things that matter most to you.
As special needs parents, we are no strangers to the constant battle of advocating for our children. But showing up to that fight from a place of frustration only leaves us emotionally drained and exhausted. But what if there was a way to keep on fighting for what our children deserve in a more effective, sustainable way? Listen in to this episode to find out how.
When you are feeling overwhelmed by all the demands of life, do you tend to check out and procrastinate? This is typically followed by a series of questions we ask ourselves, like “How am I supposed to do all of this?” or “Why can’t I handle this?” But asking dead-end quesitons like these keeps our brains shut off from problem solving and the creativity needed to find solutions. In this episode, I’m sharing a better type of question to ask yourself that will help you get out of that overwhelmed state and feeling confident that you can handle it all.
Sometimes those closest to us just aren’t sure how to support us. Sometimes we as special needs moms don’t know exactly how to ask for help. In this episode, I’m chatting with author Megan Amrich, who answers both problems in her newest book “Show Up and Bring Coffee.” Listen in to hear our conversations about everything from the guilt that comes with a failure to thrive diagnosis to boy band kareoke. Get your copy of “Show Up and Bring Coffee”:https://joyfulbraveawesome.com/book/Follow Megan:https://www.facebook.com/joyfulBraveAwesomehttps://www.instagram.com/joyfulbraveawesome
You may already be aware of the main signs of burnout, but sometimes burnout can be showing up in ways we don’t even notice. Listen in to hear 5 ways burnout might be showing up for you and what you can start doing about it.
Too much to do and not enough motivation? No worries, I’ve got you! In this episode I’m sharing one of my all-time FAVORITE life hacks for those times when the to-do list feels impossible. The Two-Minute Miracle is an easy way to get going on accomplishing things, reduce stress and overwhelm, and help you feel more in control of your time. Listen in to learn more.Medical Binder PDF*lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder
If you find yourself unwinding with a glass of Chardonnay more often than you’d like to, then this episode is for you my friend!
Alcohol is the go-to de-stressor for so many moms, and is even encouraged by the recent "Mommy Wine Culture" trend. But when we use wine to cope, it only ends up perpetuating the problem and adding to our already stressful lives.
Listen in as I talk with Julie Lively, an Alcohol Freedom Coach, on the harmful cycle of using alcohol to cope and how to drop the guilt you may feel around alcohol in your own life.
Get the "7 Days to Empowered Change" guide: https://mailchi.mp/livinglivelyandfree/nradh0qby0
Follow Julie Lively on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcoholfreeismysuperpower/
https://julielivelycoaching.com
I asked ChatGPT to describe special needs moms in a unique way, and the result was a little shocking honestly. In this episode, I’m sharing the “Robot Poem” I got in response and exactly what we can take away from it, and how we can all use this lesson from time to time. Click here to schedule your free consultation call: https://calendly.com/laurennialowery/30min
Society teaches us a lot of things about what it means to be a good mom. But the truth is, most of them just aren’t true. These harmful beliefs leave moms feeling shameful and like they are failing at motherhood.Listen in to learn 5 common myths we are raised to believe about our roles, raising kids, and being a good mom.
Want to get a taste of what it’s like working with me and learn more about The Village?⬇️ Book a free call using the link belowhttps://calendly.com/laurennialowery/consult*Ever find yourself saying things like “I can’t take a break yet, there’s still too much to get done”? In this episode, I’m sharing how having to “earn” your rest can run you down, and eventually burn you out.
Ever have one of those weeks where things seem to just be coming at you from all directions?
All the tasks, work, kids, appointments, stress… it all piles up inside your brain like a rush hour traffic jam in the middle of NYC.
As moms, we know this feeling of being overwhelmed very well.
And in this episode, I’m sharing the 3 things we have to do first in order to solve for our overwhelm.
Constraint is a powerful tool to help reduce the mental fatigue of decision making and overwhelm.In this episode, I share how to use this tool, what areas of your life it works best in, and what happens when you take the anxiety out of decisions.
Parenting can be stressful… And special needs parenting? DEFINTELY stressful. You might find yourself stuck in a cycle of having a rough day, being exhausted and overstimulated, feeling like it is all just too much, and then losing it on your kids when they do kid things. And then feeling awful for yelling and letting your temper get the best of you, maybe even decide that you aren’t a good mom.Well, I am here to tell you that this doesn’t mean you aren’t a good mom, and there are things you can do to break the cycle. In this episode, I’m sharing insight and a great strategy for parenting during those stressful days or seasons. **Link to get the free medical binder: www.lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder
***To get a copy of the questions, go to lowerylifecoaching.com/10questions
For us moms, the start of a new school year can come with a lot of challenges.
From the crazy expectations we put on ourselves to make sure everything is perfect to the anxious feelings that come up when you think of how other kids might treat your special needs child.
In this episode, I share 10 questions you can ask yourself to help make those back-to-school challenges easier.
To get a copy of the questions, go to lowerylifecoaching.com/10questions
We talk about marriages and how to support our other children, we talk about the relationships we have with providers and our child’s school even, but what about the relationships we have with our special needs children?
In this episode, I’m sharing insight into how coaching can not only improve your relationship with your special needs child, but also help you feel more bonded and connected to them as well, no matter the circumstances.
We all want what’s best for our child more than anything, but sometimes we get in our own way.
Sometimes we let our own insecurities and beliefs take over, steering us further away from what we want most.
And those insecurities can turn into shame.
In this episode, I’m sharing a recent experience of mine where I let those insecurities affect me and get in my own way to doing what was best, and how I moved forward.
Our priorities change. Our bodies change. Our schedules change. But many moms also feel like they have lost a sense of who they even are anymore once they start a family.
In this episode, I’m sharing the secret to finding yourself once again.
Medical Binder Link: lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder
The mental load of running a family, especially one that involves medical needs, can leave parents overwhelmed and exhausted.
But when you set up systems for yourself that help, even in small incremental ways, it adds up and calms the chaos.
“The Ultimate Medical Binder for Special Needs Moms” is now available to download for FREE.
To get your copy, go to lowerylifecoaching.com/medical-binder
Good Mom Syndrome might sound like a nice thing to have, because after all we all want to be good moms right?
But in reality, Good Mom Syndrome can be the culprit for an overwhelming amount of stress, exhaustion, mom rage, and ultimately burnout.
In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what Good Mom Syndrome is, the signs and symptoms of it, and how it impacts not only us, but our families as well.
Being the sibling to a special needs child isn’t easy. It often means less time and attention with parents, worries about the future, and confusion about why things are the way they are.
In this episode, I share three ways we can support our children, the siblings to our special needs kids.
30 Day Overwhelm Challenge
https://lowerylifecoaching.com/30daychallenge/
As special needs moms, we are often told to “take care of ourselves” and self-care becomes the only piece of advice given to us…
But what if I told you there was another piece to the puzzle of getting out of Survival Mode?
In this episode, we dive into Survival Mode Beliefs- what they are, why they cause us so much stress, and how to get rid of them.
In the corporate world, a manager’s leadership style can make or break the success of a team. In a family, the same can be true. In this episode, we take a look at how to be a Mom Leader instead of a Mom Boss.
As moms, we spend a lot of time focused on our children’s milestones. But rarely do we celebrate our own, and the personal growth that comes along with them.
As special needs moms, we have a lot of challenging experiences in our lives that we can’t change.
But what we CAN change is our subjective experience of those challenges by learning emotional mastery.
Emotions are POWERFUL. They are where we live our lives. They are where we get our life experience as a human.
And in this episode, I’m sharing how to gain control of that power in order to change your own life experience for the better.
Less stress, less overwhelm, less shame and self-judgement- all through emotional mastery.
Catastrophizing, All-or-Nothing Thinking, Mental Filtering: all of these are what we call Cognitive Distortions, or thought errors. And they all stem from your brain trying to keep you safe. In this episode, we dive into three common cognitive distortions and how to put an end to them.
Appointments, bills, medications, school spirit days, gifts to buy, meals to make, your children’s well-being… it all adds to a mom’s mental load. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 easy and practical ways to offload some of that day to day mental load that weighs us down.
Some seasons of life are just downright hard, and in this episode I’m sharing what one of those seasons in life looks like for me, and how I am choosing to handle it.
Have you ever made it to Sunday night and thought to yourself, “where the heck did the weekend go?” When we are overwhelmed and have a lot of mental energy going to the care of our families, it can be all too easy to not be intentional with how you spend your time. In this episode, I am sharing my 3 questions I ask myself that help me stay present and be intentional with my time.
This episode is closing out our three-part series on setting and achieving mental wellness goals. In this episode, we talk about overcoming obstacles you might face along the way when it comes to following your plan and achieving your goal. Mentioned in this episode:Instagram page for entrepreneur coaching: www.instagram.com/laurenlowerycoaching/Link to schedule a consult call: lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall/
In weight loss, a protocol is like your diet plan. It says what you will and won’t eat, how often, and how much. So when it comes to improving your mental wellness, you need your own mental wellness protocol that focuses on the 5 categories that make up your wellbeing: Mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social. And in this episode, I’m helping you create a customized protocol that works for your own unique needs and life so you can feel happier, more energetic, and avoid burnout.
We set goals for many different areas of our lives, like weight loss or finances.And those are great goals and can have some really beneficial gains to hitting them.But the one kind of goal that has the BIGGEST impact on our lives overall-including in those other areas- is our mental wellness. In this first episode of our three part series on setting mental wellness goals, I’m sharing exactly how you can measure where your own stress levels are currently, and set a tangible. quantitative goal to work towards. Link for PSS Questionnaire: www.das.nh.gov/wellness/Docs%5CPercieved%20Stress%20Scale.pdf
Putting other’s needs and wants before your own can seem noble and kind, but when it is rooted in a fear of upsetting others then it becomes a direct source of burnout. In this episode, we are talking about three common ways people pleasing shows up for us moms, and how to recognize it in your own life.
In this episode we are answering more listener questions! From getting a good babysitter to not getting annoyed at your child, let’s dive in!
The #1 question I got asked last week was, “How do I take care of myself without feeling guilty?”And in this episode, I’m not only answering it but I’m also giving you a glimpse into how we shift our mindsets from guilt to self love. By asking solutions-focused questions, and working with your brain rather than against it, you can start to see self-care as a priority rather than something on the back burner.
As special needs parents, getting a regular date night can be CHALLENGING. But with a little planning and creativity, we can ensure our marriages get the time and attention they deserve. In this episode, I’m sharing three tips on how to have more consistent date nights so you can reconnect with your hubby and lower those stress levels.
*Link to register for Overcome the Overwhelm: lowerylifecoaching.com Ever feel like you are living on autopilot, just trying to make it to bedtime? Living in survival mode leaves us in a grumpy fog, and causes us to miss out on some of the most important aspects of our lives. In this episode, we talk about how this might be showing up for you, and what you can start doing about it.
*Link to schedule a consultation call with me: lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall••••Certain things, such as stress or overthinking, deplete our energy levels while others, such as mindfulness, give us more energy. And in this week’s episode, I’m breaking down a list of BOTH, so you can start feeling better and having more energy to focus on the things in life that matter most.
Overwhelm doesn’t have to be over-complicated, and mental health doesn’t have to be boring! That’s why I’ve created the 30 Day Overwhelm Challenge. 30 days of reducing anxiety and overwhelm in 5 minutes or less per day… It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s a little bit of fun!Are you ready to take the Challenge? Go to www.lowerylifecoaching.com/30daychallenge to get your Challenge Checklist and get started!
Yes, even coaches have coaches! And in this episode, I’m getting vulnerable and sharing my top three life-altering lessons I’ve gotten from my coaches over the years. These lessons have impacted all aspects of my life, from marriage to business to motherhood, and have changed my life forever. ***Link to register for my free, live webinar class “How to Get MORE Done in LESS Time…Even as a Busy Special Needs Mom”https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/7UbuYwY/Getmoredone
Ever find yourself saying “no thank you” when help is offered (and needed!)? Ever find yourself trying to prove to the world that you aren’t exhausted and worn out by all the challenges of special needs mom life (even when you are)? In this episode, I’m sharing why we do this as moms and the one thing you need to hear right now.
When it comes to advocating for our children, the constant fight ends up exhausting us as special needs parents. In this episode, I share 3 secrets to making advocacy easier and more effective.
**Link to schedule your free call: https://lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall/ One feels like making you run and hide, while the other feels like a warm hug from your grandmother- self pity vs. self compassion. And in this episode, we dive into how greatly they can affect the way you show up to advocate for your special needs child.
In this episode I am joined by leadership and business coach Annie Morgan who shares all her best details on how she runs a business and balances life as a special needs mom.
As special needs moms, we are no strangers to feeling overwhelmed. And in this week’s episode, we are diving into feeling overwhelmed by the things in our homes. I share with you my three personal favorite tips for decluttering and simplifying your home, even when you feel like it’s all too much to handle.
In this episode, I share 3 common lies special needs moms tell themselves that result in feelings of guilt, isolation, anxiety, and overwhelm. It is important to remember that us special needs moms often have to handle complex and emotional situations, and that a higher level of support and help is required for us to truly survive and THRIVE, and for our families to thrive as well. If you are seeking more support as a special needs mom, I’m here for you. To schedule your free consultation, go to https://lowerylifecoaching.com/consultcall/
Ever found yourself feeling so frustrating and overwhelmed that you finally just snap? If so, then you are not alone. In this episode, I share the real reason moms get angry and yell, and how to break the cycle.
In this episode, I share 3 common daily struggles for special needs moms and the exact sentences you can use to keep yourself out of fight/flight/freeze mode.
After a bad day, we often find ourselves ready to just be done with it and move on tomorrow. In this episode, I am sharing with you 5 questions to ask yourself that will help you have a better day tomorrow. 1. What’s one thing I can do today that I will thank myself for tomorrow?2. What is my word for tomorrow?3. What are my top 3 priorities tomorrow?4. What is something I can look forward to tomorrow?5. How do I want to feel tomorrow?These questions may be about tomorrow, but I will warn you… you might just find yourself getting an instant mood boost from answering them today!
In this episode, I share how the spoon theory commonly used by people with a chronic illness can also be beneficial for special needs moms.
In this episode, I share the viscous cycle between mistakes in motherhood and burnout, and how one sentence can change it all.
On the days full of anxiety and stress, it can feel like inner peace is downright impossible.
In this episode, I share the 3 areas to shift your focus to in order to make things feel a little bit lighter, less overwhelming , and more peaceful.
Enrollment for Surviving the Holidays is officially open! This four-week group coaching program will help you through the hardest time of year.
I’m teaching how to navigate the grief being triggered when buying your special needs child presents, how to handle those dreaded family gatherings, and how to bring back the joy to this season.
To sign up, go to: https://lowerylifecoaching.com/holiday/
Moms make the world go round. In a lot of ways, moms are the main leaders of the world as we bring up this next generation.
But for how IMPACTFUL and IMPORTANT our roles are… are we protecting our family’s most valuable asset?
Or are we putting our needs last and staying vulnerable to burnout?
When you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and like you are trying to drink from a fire hose… write a list. In this episode, I share my 5 favorite lists to help you go from feeling overwhelmed to calm and grounded.
In this episode, I explain how throwing out those things we hold onto, physically and mentally, opens up space for us to experience more of the things in life that truly matter most.
Taking care of a child with special needs takes up as much time as a full time job. The to-do lists are a mile long, and the energy levels depleted. But I want to share a secret on one of the tools I use to get more done and feel less overwhelmed. In this episode, I share with you the three main reasons special needs moms procrastinate and exactly how to put an end to it so that you can get more done.
As an entrepreneur, if something doesn’t work then it just means moving on to the next thing to try!
That failure doesn’t mean you suck, you weren’t meant to be successful, or that you don’t deserve to own your business.
It just means you tried something, and it didn’t work.
And the same goes for failures in motherhood.
They say that acceptance is the key to happiness, but for special needs moms acceptance can seem down right impossible.
In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. The true meaning of acceptance… without gaslighting yourself 2. Why accepting your circumstances can lead to a happier life 3. How acceptance isn’t a final destination, but rather a journey
So grab a cozy blanket, a fresh dose of grace for yourself, and let’s let go of that resistance!
click the link to get your Surviving to Thriving Playbook https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/5AYOM5Q/Playbook
Want to know my 3 favorite ways to be a more present, happier version of my mom self? The best part is, these things take less than a couple minutes a day or even no extra time at all and are just simple ways to change how you see your day to day life.
As special needs parents, we don’t always get to celebrate the big milestones. But we get really good at celebrating the smaller moments, the inch stones, in our child’s life.
Now it’s time to do the same for you.
Listen in to find out why celebrating the wins, even when it feels like there is nothing to celebrate, can actually help you be more successful in the long run... and have more fun doing it!
Streaming services, new cars, bigger and nicer houses, makeup, designer purses... all in attempt to make us feel a certain way. In this episode I share how seeking certain feelings externally leaves us feeling empty, while seeking those same feelings internally fills us up.
Enrollment for Overcome the Overwhelm is closing soon! Go to lowerylifecoaching.com/registration-for-overcome-the-overwhelm/ to sign up!* In this week’s episode, we talk about worry, and the choice we have between living in that fear or being brave despite that fear.
Money, time, energy, promotions, physical heath, marriage... all of these things can be taken by staying in that chronic state of survival mode. In this episode, we dive into the COST of survival mode and how looking at this big picture could be the thing that spurs you into taking action to get out.
LINK TO REGISTER FOR FREE CLASS
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/jvcG5X1/BurnoutSecret
When we are living in survival mode, we stop planning for the future. And when we do this, we prevent ourselves from living our best lives. In this episode, I walk you through how to stop living just for today, and how to use goals to get out of survival mode and create a better future for yourself.
What does running away from a snake have to do with yelling at your child? Glad you asked. In this episode we talk about the brain’s survival response (fight/flight/freeze) and how it controls our actions.
In this episode, I share a personal story of how avoiding my emotions around my son’s g-tube was causing harm to not just me, but the whole family. And by learning to allow those emotions and process them, I was able to show up and do what was best for my child.
In this episode, we talk about when your own self-worth is tied to your achievements or physical appearance, it can be a contributing factor in caregiver burnout
In this episode, we talk about how getting in a rut and focusing on the wrong things in life can leave you feeling worn out and blah, and how to add more of the things that light you up into your day to day life.
In this episode, I’m asking three big questions that will help you figure out why you aren’t moving forward, making changes in your life that you want to make.
Listen in to hear my absolute favorite, quick and easy way of reducing stress, anxiety, and overwhelm! To get my 30 Days of Journal Prompts for Special Needs Moms, go to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/kCcQYAf/30Days
Join me as I dive into a common issue: feeling like all the therapies are pointless and not working. In this episode we talk about how feeling hopeless leads to small quits, and these quits ensure that the therapies end up NOT working for our kiddos.
Hospital stays are stressful, scary, exhausting... and for so many of us they are a part of life.
But there are certain things I’ve found over the years that can make these stays less overwhelming and more manageable, allowing you to be able to show up and advocate for your child.
*If you haven’t yet, join the Overcome the Overwhelm Pre-Enrollment List to get all the details on the upcoming workshop next month! Click on the link to sign up:
https://lowerylifecoaching.com/pre-enrollment/
“It takes a village to raise a child.” We’ve all heard this at one point or another, but these days that village may seem non-existent. In today’s world, we have to create our village, and it might be full of some unexpected characters.
5 very common beliefs that most just take to be true... but in this episode we are debunking them and changing the way we see things!
Do you ever find yourself turning to food as a source of comfort? Do you ever ruminate in your negative emotions as a source of comfort? In this episode we dive into the connection between these two things and how to put an end to it for good.
A special sneak peak into my 12-week coaching program Overcome the Overwhelm and how I take clients from barely surviving to a life where they are thriving. Enrollment is now open through June 1st, go to www.lowerylifecoaching.com to learn more and sign up!
Talking about a hot topic in this episode... ableism! As special needs parents, our internal beliefs and biases towards people with disabilities does not magically disappear when we have a child with disabilities. All of those same beliefs, stereotypes, and perspectives are still there. It’s our job as parents to dig down deep and uncover these subconscious beliefs and do the work of changing them.
Our brains want the easiest paths with the least amount of resistance, the least amount of energy needed, but is this always the paths that are best for us? In this episode we talk about doing the hard things that give us the best results when it comes to self-care, even if we sometimes (most times) don’t want to do them.
In this episode I share how feelings of isolation and loneliness sparked the start of one of the most important journeys of my life. From a devastating diagnosis to a blog to a life coaching business, my goal has always been to help special needs moms know that they are not alone.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a magic fix to losing weight easily, having more money, and being happier in life? Just a magic pill that cured all of life’s problems? Well, I may not have that exactly, but in this episode we talk about an easy change that will quickly give you all of those things in life... and that is quitting the overindulgence as a coping mechanism.
This week we are diving into some listener questions! We talk about everything from meltdowns to mom guilt, and how recognizing thought errors can help overcome so many problems you may be facing.
Oh boy is this a hot topic! In this episode, we talk about how society has created some deeply ingrained beliefs about expectations of women and how this affects our marriages. We talk about the need for control, and how to allow your spouse to be an equal partner when it comes to responsibilities for your family.
Ever feel like it’s impossible to juggle being a special needs mom and have a career? In this episode I walk you through exactly how I create balance in my life and maintain focused on both work and the family I love, all without feeling overwhelmed.
Will he ever walk? What’s wrong with him? Well at least she’s cute! She doesn’t look disabled. We’ve all heard them. We’ve all been hurt and angry about them.
We’ve all wanted to respond with sarcasm or maybe even had the urge to just reach across that shopping cart at Walmart and slap them.
In this episode we talk about how to handle these unwanted comments. We talk about why they are even said in the first place, and how getting angry (as tempting as it may be) isn’t always the answer.
Studies have proven time and time again that rest leads to higher rates of productivity and efficiency... so why do we have the belief that rest is lazy and bad? In this episode we talk about how resting, physically and mentally, can actually lead to getting more done and feeling so my h better while doing it!
- Who are the people who mean the most to you in life?
- How much quality time did you spend with them yesterday?
- Tomorrow, how can you be intentional about spending quality time with them?
Spending quality time with those that we love doesn’t just benefit the other person, it also benefits us. Quality time and true connection are some of the best ways to reduce stress and get out of survival mode.
Traveling with your special needs child can be stressful and leave you feeling anxious. What if you forget a medication? What if they get sick? What about getting through the airport security with all of that medical equipment? Sometimes our brains try to convince us that because of all these worries, a family vacation isn’t even worth it. Why even bother right? But sometimes the easy way is not the thing that will fulfill you, not the path that will bring you so many wonderful memories. In this episode, I share 5 tips of traveling, and they aren’t your average travel tips.
We talk a lot about the things you need to do in order to get out of survival mode, but in this episode we are talking about the 3 things to STOP doing if you want to go from surviving to thriving. Note: enrollment for Overcome the Overwhelm Spring sessions closes February 23rd! Go to lowerylifecoaching.com to learn more and sign up.
In this episode, we talk about one of the most common things I coach on-how to get more therapy exercises done each week. One of the big things that keeps moms from doing more with their child is “all or nothing” mentality. When we think we can’t get it all done or we think we can’t do it perfectly, our brains decide to not do it at all.
Part two of medical triggers! Last episode we talked about what they are and why we have them, this week we dive into how to start moving forward and learn to overcome them.
Enrollment for Overcome the Overwhelm is now open! Go to Lowerylifecoaching.com to learn more and register.
Part one of a two part series on medical triggers. Our brains, if left to their own devices, feed off of past experiences. If in the past your child has gotten sick and had to be taken to the ER, or ended up in the PICU, or had to have surgery... Your brain then connects signs of illnesses to extreme danger, and sets off into fight or flight mode, even if there isn’t any extreme danger present. So if your child starts coughing, your thoughts starts spiraling, your anxiety goes through the roof, and all you can think about is that worst case scenario. In this episode, we dive into understanding the why behind triggers so that we can learn to manage them and move forward in healthier, more helpful ways.
Last week we talked about why 95% of diets fail. We talked about how food is used to avoid feelings, and keeps you stuck in survival mode. Well, this week we talk about what to actually do about it! When we take care of our mental health, we can take better care of our physical health.
Part one of a two part series. This isn’t a conversation about thin bodies, about losing weight, this is a conversation about how eating food to avoid negative emotions is keeping so many moms stuck in survival mode. This is a conversation how overeating, stress eating, and emotional eating are keeping you from the life you want to live. Diets don’t address the root cause of the problem, they are a bandaid fix to a symptom of a much bigger issue of why we turn to food in times of stress.
Everything from how to crush a pill instantly to how to make the most out of life as a special needs mom. This episode is full of my favorite life lessons learned in 2021!
This short and sweet episode is all about treating yourself with the same love as you do your own children, your friends, and loved ones you invite into your home.
As special needs moms, it is easy to find yourself not feeling like a “real mom.” It’s easy to get caught up in the care tasks, and easy to feel like other moms are speaking a completely different language than you. But at the end of the day, it is the love you have for yourself child that makes you a real mom, not your day to day experiences.
Want to feel happier and calmer in less than 10 minutes a day? Listen in to learn 3 easy, quick ways to allow more happiness into your day, and feel calmer even when life is stressful.
As special needs moms, it is so common for us to be awaiting the next bad thing, the next illness, the next hospitalization... the other shoe to drop... when things are going smoothly. In this episode, we dive into the ways this mentality shows up, and how it is doubling our stress and keeping us from being present in the moment.
In this episode, I share with you the difference between gratitude and appreciation. Appreciation can be a great tool to get us through the hard days, the unpredictable days, as a special needs parent.
The holidays can bring up so many hard emotions for special needs parents. It can bring up sadness, grief, jealousy, resentment. In this episode, I share with you my holiday experience and struggles as a mom to a child with disabilities, and the tools I use to cope with the most magical time of year. Mentioned in this episode is Emily Kingsley’s poem “Welcome to Holland” https://www.dsasc.ca/uploads/8/5/3/9/8539131/welcome_to_holland.pdf [Also, join me for a free live training 11/14/2021 at 7pm CDT] https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/FC1lqVd/Freecourse
Having control in life is not a circumstance issue, but rather a thinking issue. Your life may feel like you have no control in it, but you are in fact more in control than you may even realize. We may not be able to control other people’s actions, or our circumstances, but we CAN control our own actions, decisions, and how we show up in life.
Join me as I interview a very special guest, my very own husband, and get insight on his experience as a special needs father! I think we can all agree that there just aren’t as many resources for dads out there, but I hope that this episode helps you know that you are not alone.
In this episode, we take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout and easy ways you can start to reduce the chronic stress that leads to burnout. Caregiver burnout does not mean you are a bad mom, it does not mean you are doing a bad job, it is just your body’s way of survival. If you think you may be struggling with burnout and would like help, go to lowerylifecoaching.com to sign up for a free insight call to learn more about Overcome the Overwhelm.
Being a special needs mom isn’t always fun is it?
Especially on those days where the extender gets pulled out while tube feeding and now your brand new couch is once again covered in stomach contents..... 😅
...Or on those days where you’ve got a mile long list of appointments and you’re running on 2 hours of crappy sleep.... 🥱
But every single day, good or bad, we have a choice: 1️⃣We get to decide if we are going to be miserable all day long
2️⃣We get to decide we are going to figure out a way to find the fun, even on a crappy day.
And I know what you may be thinking, “Fun?! She wants me to have FUN right now?! Has she lost her mind?!” Maybe. Just maybe I have.
But hear me out, would you rather have a crappy day where you are miserable, or would you rather have a crappy day that you consciously decided to try to smile, bring the joy and find the fun in the situation?
I’ll take door #2 Monty!
So ask yourself, how can I find the fun today? How can I create some fun today?
Or try reminding yourself: Today can be hard AND fun! Today can be challenging AND happy!
Because you know what? Even though life of a special needs mom isn’t a walk in the park, you still deserve to have fun.
Special needs moms are Busy with a capital B... trust me I know!
But I want to let you in on a little secret that I like to teach my clients.... It’s not a matter of having more time. It’s a matter of FEELING busy.
I promise you, if I was to wave a magic wand and give you an extra 5 hours in your day, you would still feel like it’s not enough!
But why? It’s simply because busy is not a time issue. If you want to feel like you have more time in your days, you have to feel less busy.
With all of the appointments, insurance phone calls, pharmacy pickups, preauthorizations to chase... it’s easy to feel busy.
But I want you to imagine how different your life would look if you didn’t ever feel busy. How would the things you do or didn’t do be different? How would your results differ at the end of the day? How would you feel at the end of the day?
I want to share with you 3 easy ways to “add more time” to your day... (a.k.a. Feel less busy 😉)
Also, if you are interested in working with me, I am currently enrolling for my 12 week program Overcome the Overwhelm. Go to lowerylifecoaching.com to learn more and sign up.
In this episode, we talk about how wishing things in our lives were different is keeping us in misery. When we spend time wishing things were different-wishing we lived a normal life, wishing we had more time, wishing we were better moms or had a skinnier body- we miss out on the life we are actually living. We miss out on all the good things we do have. This episode goes into how this results in our lives and what we can do about it. We take a look into how it is our thoughts making us dissatisfied, not our circumstances. *Schedule your 30 minute Insight Call: https://lowerylifecoaching.com/free-consultation-call/
In this episode, we discuss our inner critic, our inner Regina George Mean Girl that lives to point out all the reasons we are not worthy.
It’s that four letter f word we all hate-fear. As special needs moms, we spend so much time living in this emotion, and avoiding this emotion. We fear the future, we fear the unknowns, we fear the what if’s. In this episode, we take a look at how fear can be masked as anger, anxiety, or stress and how this affects us in our lives. When we learn to allow and process emotions, we learn to reduce their intensity. We learn to manage our emotions in a healthier way.
In today’s episode, we talk about one of my favorite topics of course, overwhelm! As special needs moms (and moms in general!), we spend a lot of time suffering from the affects of overwhelm, creating more stress and anxiety in our lives than we would like. Overwhelm is so often thought of as a result of our to do lists, schedules, and lives in general. But really, overwhelm is not caused by any of those things. Overwhelm is caused by our thinking. In this episode, I teach you three easy, simple ways you can stop the cycle of overwhelm!