Podcast Mamas- Navigating Life with Laughter in a Special Needs World

This is heartfelt, this is real, this is how we try to work through the hard stuff! Miss Laura, of Miss Laura's Lifeskills, finally meets Jordan's mom, Carrie, and gets to hear a snapshot of what she has dealt with through Jordan's life. We are looking for a way to fun Miss Laura's program for disabled adults once they have graduated from school. She has a brilliant mastermind ability to curate programs based on what will give the individual a fulfilled, enriched, well-rounded life! Let's Go Miss Laura!!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Miss Laura and I chat it up about all of Ella's fun activities thus far over the holidays! I also planted the seed with Miss Laura about a day program for when Ella graduates from DM! LOLhttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Engagement! Fear! Anxiety! WHAT??? Listen parents, we all have fears regardless if your kiddo has special needs or not. But by getting your son or daughter involved in activities, clubs, sports, events- it can be beyond rewarding for both you and your kiddo. Take the chance. Do the research. Be open-minded about opportunities for your special needs kiddo to participate in experiences you might have only thought were for the "neurotypical". Good Luck!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Miss Laura and Nicole help co-host this episode as we dive into the busiest time of the year! How important is self-care for us mamas and what are the tasks that are important for our special needs mamas? Good listening right here! Remember to reach out to Miss Laura for Self-Care and her home school programming for kiddos that are not fitting the mold at school: misslauraslifeskills@gmail.com Don't forget to follow Ella and her shenangins on Instagram: @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Hey friends we had Ella's IEP with some great content! And Miss Laura shares the info on her Avalon Self Care event she's hosting in the coming weeks. You can reach her at: misslauraslifeskills@gmail.com for more information on connecting with other women who may just need someone to listen. But this company is more than that- this event will have a guest speaker natropathic discussing great health options outside of traditional medicine. Listen in folks!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Helloooo special needs families! We are flying under the radar and doing well! Ella is back in school and I have not been called once! THANK YOU!! It has been a long haul but look at us now! She is constantly up to no good but she is keeping me on my toes and be sure to follow her on IG: @RainbowBunnyRules to see what in the world is happening!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Managing behaviors and getting to the root of the problem is not an easy feat in the special needs world. Even cute little Rainbow Bunny Ella can be ferocious! Miss Laura is tackling this with a couple clients, and she does have some good tricks up her sleeve!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Nicole's son has his family weekend and she reports back and we can compare and contrast that against kids who will not be going to college. Ella is just getting off being sick and then her beau has been off school due to behaviors. Lotsa changes so listen in for a glance of what life is like over here!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Miss Laura has great advice and shares helpful suggestions on how to manage behaviors with our special kiddos but she also shares what she has on tap for her self-care group. https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Nicole and I both had our sons leave for college and the dynamic at home has changed considerably. Ella doesn't really understand this, but fortunately whenever she Facetimes her brother, he answers.  Time is changing and life keeps on moving forward, for most people. In a special needs world, time can seem like it stands still forever. https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh my gosh friends it has been FOREVER since we posted a pod! It was a long, hot, busy summer and trying to sit and record was a huge challenge. Today we kick off the new school year with Miss Laura who dives into sharing all that she is working on- some really great stuff to listen in on! And for those of you on "The Gram", check out @Avalon_Sisterhood where us moms (or maybe just women) can find a safe space to be heard and reminded  how much WE MATTER. Until next week...https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

What works? What is a fail? How is summer going for all of you? Hannah and Ella are living their best lives, with some moments that we don't exactly like to talk about, ha ha! Memberships help keep them busy- such as the trampoline park, bowling alley, and the aquarium, but their favorite time spent is with other friends! This is important to remember as I know it is a challenge finding friends for kiddos with special needs. Just remember there are many of us out there, and we all want to feel like we belong! So do your best and go outside of YOUR comfort zone and make a date with another parent or guardian of a special needs kid.  Keep following @RainbowBunnyRules on Instagram and follow Hannah Rudee on TikTok to see all of her and Ella's performances!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

We are talking all things SPECIAL NEEDS SUMMER!! Friends, you need to take advantage of all the unlimited passes and you need to ask your caregivers to get extra summer hours through your support coordinators!! There is NO REASON summer should take you down! Let us help with some great ideas!OHAnd if you own an Alexa- listen in for a big WARNING!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Navigating the happiest place on earth takes a lot and we have covered it a little before! Miss Laura shares her fourth experience helping out a client enjoy his trip at the Disneyland Parks. She also fills us in on how her two business models are doing: Miss Laura's Lifeskills, which helps out our neurodivergent kiddos, and Sit in Selfcare, which helps out our moms.https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Ella is NOT the focus right now! And boy is she mad! She's so mad, she is pulling out her pulmonary hypertension subcutaneous drip and forcing me to come down to school to fix it! Listen in with laughs and share in the stress of having graduations on the horizon and managing all that with a special needs kiddo!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Ella takes Disney! All the highs and lows of this trip are laughed about in this podcast. Plus! Get some great advice on how to navigate the system to get the most enjoyable time possible!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

While Nicole is traveling, Miss Laura is back to share how she planned several fun activities over the course of last week's spring break. I jumped in to discuss how Jordan's mom and I went to visit a day program for Jordan and Ella, but wait until you hear the GREAT news! ASU may be the answer to my day program search! We end the show with Miss Laura's big surprise for her second side hustle- taking care of the moms and what is on the docket for this summer. We welcome you comments and hope you enjoy listening in. If you need to reach Miss Laura, please email her at: MissLaurasLifeskills@gmail.com and look for her on Insta and FB @MissLaurasLifeSkills. Don't forget to follow Ella's shenanagins on Insta @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

We made it through another spring break! It was a good time of sleeping in, but finding the entertainment factor is always a challenge for us. Carrie shares how her and Jordan spent their spring break and then we dive into discussing pros and cons of a couple local day programs. The day is going to come when both Jordan and Ella need to leave  high school- and that is extremely stressful https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

TRY to listen in as Ella joins us today on the podcast. She hums and she pouts and she bangs on the counter but we carry on! Some great content and laughs- the 14 year old boys in the backyard is unreal. Help me hang in there! Laugh right along with it all.Follow Ella's shenanagins on IG: @Rainbowbunnyruleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

UGLY WORDS. Ugly, hurtful, and ignorant. Almost a hate crime to use a phrase that is no longer used in a clinical setting or anywhere except if you are a moron. Sorry! That is just how I feel. Miss Laura as a great perspective on this topic as well as handy dandy ways to use her skills to help anyone with a disability acclimate to the world around them. You can reach her at: MissLaurasLifeSkills@gmail.comhttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Welcome back Carrie! We share the stories of Ella and Jordan over the course of the last couple months. From visiting him to celebrating him it! Listen in and share in the joy of having special needs kids!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh my goodness it has been a fun week for Ella! Despite her saucy attitude and arguing with mom, she continues to live her best life! While that does NOT include brushing her teeth- stay tuned for more on this problematic area, she has enjoyed recreation on a whole other level! Listen in and watch this news clip to see Ella cheering and Carly speaking on behalf of the great Desert Mountain High School: https://www.azfamily.com/2024/02/02/high-school-scottsdale-holds-basketball-game-showcase-special-needs-students/https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

It's Ella's "Vegas Baby" details! We did a lot of Instagram Live while in Vegas, but what you didn't see, is what I shared on the show. We then enjoyed hosting Miss Laura again! She shared some of her client experiences as well as her newest venture, Sit in Selfcare. More here: For more info on Sit in Selfcare events follow me on instagram at: @lalalauraann14 or email me at lalalauraann@gmail.comSit in Selfcare is designed to be a safe space for women to join in community with each other.  To be honest, women can be really tough, competitive and catty with each other.  I want to refocus on what we have in common, and how we can support each other.  I am convinced that there's a space at the table for each and every one of us; we are all needed, deserving and have value to share with each other.  Simply put, we are better together.  For more info on Miss Laura's Lifeskills and my work with neurotypical and neurodivergent students ages 3-20 check out my ....website: www.misslauraslifeskills.com or email me at: misslauraslifeskills@gmail.com.https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Ella is going to take Vegas by storm next week! Watch her @RainbowBunnyRules IG account for her shenanagins and travels to Vegas Baby! In the meantime, she has been so helpful around the house,  which as been shocking and wonderful! Even with her limited ability to understand, she definitely learns by example and help mom around the house unexpectedly. https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Nicole might be on a skiing adventure in Colorado, but we got the show rolling so we could share all the fun Ella has been having over the holiday break. Listen in for all the grateful moments and the laughable ones. @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

The holidays are NOT a Hallmark episode. We hustle, bustle, cry, and sweat! We are wishing you have moments of cheer and joy, but we know that this time of year can be a lot.  If you didn't get that family photo, if you didn't make it out to dinner, if you didn't get those cards in the mail- it is OK. Many of us struggle with depression this time of year, and special needs families- we are really doing it all and then some. Moms, remember to take those moments out to just breathe. Miss Laura has dedicated herself to helping you do just that! Follow her on IG: @Lalalauraann14 to join her self-care squad and give yourself connection and support in a safe space.  If you are a special needs family needing support for your kiddo, remember to reach out: www.misslauraslifeskills.com and misslauraslifeskills@gmail.comHappy Holidays and Happiest New Year to all!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Someone help me! The incontinence is at an all time high right now, and it does get in the way of a lot of fun. I welcome your advice as we continue to navigate through the holiday season. Cheers!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! @RainbowBunnyRules (AKA, Ella) could not be filled with more joy than right now! I am sure most special needs families are seeing the endearing moments through their children's eyes, whether they are 6, 16, 26, or 46! I know Ella is a believer forever, and she truly makes every holiday season more special than I could imagine. Join us today for some laughs and don't forget to follow us on FB and IG!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Hey Hey Hey! We have a treat for you all! Miss Laura, of Miss Laura's Lifeskills,  joins us! She gives some great tips and tricks on how we can all survive the holiday season with out special needs kiddos. She also reminds us to give ourselves some grace during the hustle and bustle of the season. As moms, especially, we are hard on ourselves with expectations and keeping up with all the things. So listen in and have some peace and love and joy!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Where is your faith? Who do you turn to when life gets unbearable, even unthinkable? Special needs parents are some of the bravest and strongest people out there. So what makes you so strong? What keeps you going? We dive into this a bit, so prepare for some deep conversation. We say that "A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles", but somedays it is darn hard to find the "grateful". So let's talk about that!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh my gosh where do we begin?! This is the busiest time of the year and I could be losing my mind some days. I am trying to remember to enjoy it and be present because time is fleeting.  Ella has had such a wonderful year so far- not without its challenges, but overall her best to date! Listen in on the comedy half hour, and consider joining us! We record over Zoom and would love to have any parent willing to share their story!Send us a message on Facebook: Podcast Mamas Navigating Life with Laughter  or Instagram: @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh boy. What a story we have for you all today. Without giving away all the juicy content, please listen in to hear the story about the Crash of 2023. Grateful grateful grateful to even be podcasting today. https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Miss Laura joins us today as we share all the deets on Ella's FIRST homecoming experience! We then discuss this whole concept of allowing our kiddos with disabilities to participate in all extracurriculars. It's a wrestling match in your brain sometimes: Should I allow them to attend and risk a behavioral situation and the stress and the sweating? OR should I risk it and see them totally enjoy themselves!? I certainly cannot answer that for anyone, but I can cheer you on if you decide to participate or have your kiddo participate.   As we well know, what works well for one kiddo, may not work well for another. Trust your gut mamas and papas! Remember to follow Ella's shenanagins on Instagram @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh boy you are going to need to listen today! Ella got an epic surprise and the story is heartwarming! But after sharing the exciting news, we dive into homecoming preparations! This is the first time I have ever considered sending Ella to homecoming, and I have Jordan's mom, Carrie, to thank for it!Follow Ella's travels @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

We talk so much about living a special needs life, heck just living the life as a mama doing it all for everyone! Today, we talk about the importance of taking care of ourselves so we can be better mamas. This variable should not be overlooked or eyerolled at- it is important. The healthier WE ARE as mamas and caregivers, the healthier our families will be. So join us with guest, Miss Laura, as we dive into the how, the stories, and the reminders to do so. https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Ella had never been one to really enjoy the car when she was little and stuck in a car seat. I can remember a 4 hour drive to Mexico where she screamed the whole way down there and my husband had to hang his head out the window just to not lose his mind while driving. Today, Ella has a captive audience in the car. So she talks about having to poop on the toilet with anyone who becomes a victim in the backseat.  Listen for the laughs and I hope you all have a moment to feel grateful when the moments are easier. Follow Ella's journey on IG: @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

What a great show! First of all- Miss Laura has her website rolling! www.misslauraslifeskills.com. If you are a parent, caregiver, or a family struggling with a child that has special needs- Miss Laura is the one to fix the situation! Please reach out to her and see if she can get you on her schedule- I promise she will change your life. Secondly- the toothbrushing situation has had a breakthrough!!  Check this out friends: The Colgate Humm Toothbrush for Kids- on Amazon! It is helping us each morning as we power through getting ready for schoolhttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

WOW! How lucky were we to have HANNAH on the show today! Ella just had her IEP on Monday, and I shared what the issues and praises were and Hannah got to weigh in on all of it. Hannah also gives such a great perspective as Ella's caregiver. Offering advice to the rest of us which as moms and dads, we probably need to hear. Enjoy the show! Follow Ella's story on IG @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Nicole went out of town, Carly is in tears, and Ella's difficulty continues. Being a mom is tough no doubt. Today we cover so many topics and we value hearing from our listeners so please share your feedback and stories!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Oh my gosh the school nurse is a both a blessing and a curse. Listen in and laugh because I am  not trying to pull the wool over anyone's but sheesh! Ella is so dramatic and loves her attention!ANDShe made a deal with her doc- let's all say an AMEN as you hear the story!Follow us on IG @RainbowRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

It is a long awaited moment to get Ryan on the show! The famous guitarist, the one everyone has heard of and adores! Ryan welcome to the show!! This one is hilarious.Follow us on IG: @RainbowBunnyRules and FB: Podcast Mamas Navigating Life with Laughterhttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Today Miss Laura of "Miss Laura's Lifeskills" joins us! We share about Ella's heart catheterization, we talk about problem solving issues at school, and we are getting ready to celebrate Ella's 19 years! Listen in a have a laugh! If you need to reach Miss Laura with questions about her homeschool and consulting services: misslauraslifeskills@gmail.com is the best way to find her! Follow us on FB - Podcast Mamas Navigating Life with Laughter; and on IG- @RainbowBunnyRules https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Today we are giving a shout out to our dear friend, Dominic and his mama, Grace. They couldn't make it on the show today so we are sending prayers and hugs to them. Hopefully we will host them soon!Today we talk back to school, challenges and successes, and we are getting ready for a big procedure tomorrow. Prayers and well wishes are truly appreciated. Remember to follow us on FB and IG! Podcast Mamas on FB and @ RainbowBunnyRules on IG! https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

What a great show today! Thank you Carrie for coming back and sharing how the first days of school are going for Jordan- we are all with you! And then telling the darling, sweet story of Ella and Jordan's second date is truly heart warming. Listen in and follow us for a very special podcast!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Traveling Special Needs Style is not easy, but this summer we had some luck on our side and made it to all our destinations without any major illnesses or disasters! In fact the worst situation was at UW- Madison college tour and it wasn't all that bad. Listen in and send your comments! How did your summer go? And are you ready for school to start? We definitely will miss the lazy days of summer, but getting back to a schedule is the best way to keep moving and stay healthy. Follow us on IG @RainbowBunnyRuleshttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

An unexpected tear jerker today talking about our travels in the Midwest, and how God works to bring people together. Ella and her Rainbow Bunnies are making their way around the USA, and with new friends to chat with. We hope to get our new friends on the podcast in the near future. Follow us on IG @RainbowBunnyRules and on our Facebook to give us feedback and comments! #NavigatingLifewithLaugherInA SpecialNeedsWorldhttps://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

This episode is yet the third of 3 re-runs while we are traveling in the Midwest. But it is a great episode sharing how Ella goes back to school for the first time in 2 1/2 years. Emotional and exciting- listen in on how we got through the first days of going back to school! https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Ella's maternal grandmother, "Nannie", joins us and shares her perspective of the beginning days of Ella coming into the world. She talks about being the grandmother of a granddaughter with special needs, and how her life has been impacted.  So for any listeners who share in the journey, listen in to feel supported.https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

So this episode is not only a repeat from last year around this time- we are traveling right now and unable to record new material. Oh but please know we are definitely MAKING new material! This episode recaps our family Alaskan cruise highlights with having a medically fragile special needs kiddo, and then we end with some interesting stories of night time survival as well as the hardship of searching for a speech therapist. It's always a fun time, there is always laughter, and even when life is hard, you have got to find the joy. So that's what we do here. Remember to follow Ella's journey on Instagram @RainbowBunnyRules and leave your comments for us to connect with you! "A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles"https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Somedays we just do not know where the podcast conversation is going to go, but today it went to such a great place talking about the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH! This podcast was created to help other find the joy and laughter during the hardest moments of being a parent to a child with special needs. Today's show is a great reminder of how lucky we are to stay young forever and have that youthful experience gifted to us by our kiddos with special needs. Miss Laura can be reached at misslauraslifeskills@gmail.com and remember to follow @RainbowBunnyRules on Instagram!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

Who's laughing? I hope someone is laughing out there today! It is week 3 of summer, and it is a toss up somedays- which is easier? School days or summer days? Having a rigorous schedule or no real schedule at all? There are pros and cons to both. But let us not forget to laugh and find the joy even in our hardest moments. Which is why today includes a trip to Costco for more wine!https://specialneedsmomlolpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share