Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Water Prairie

parenting

Episode #120: The Power of Positive Self-Talk for Special Needs Parents

Are you a parent of a special needs child? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the challenges of advocating for your child’s needs? In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, we talk with Latonya Moore, a well-being coach and advocate for positive self-talk.

Latonya shares her insights on how to overcome negative self-talk and build the confidence you need to be a strong advocate for your child. She also offers practical tips for managing stress and finding joy in your parenting journey.

Whether you’re a new or experienced parent, this episode has something for everyone. Latonya’s message is one of hope and empowerment. She reminds us that we are not alone and that we have the strength to advocate for our children and create a better future for them.

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Episode #89: Expert Tips for Better Parent-Child Communication

Discover the keys to unlocking stronger parent-child bonds with seasoned coach Kathy Bowers on this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles. Join us as Kathy shares over 40 years of expertise, offering practical strategies to enhance communication and relationships with your children. Don’t miss out—tune in to learn how to transform your family dynamics today!

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Episode #81: How to Prepare for a Special Needs Baby

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles, Tonya speaks with Dr. Stephanie Dueger, an author, educator, parent coach, and psychotherapist who works with expectant and new parents and their little ones up to age 5. The discussion revolves around supporting parents who are expecting a child with special needs. They emphasize the importance of seeking help and resources to cover the potential financial and emotional challenges. Dr. Dueger also talks about the significance of informing older siblings about the situation, keeping communication open, and being sensitive to their emotional needs.

The conversation extends to the role of extended family and friends in supporting parents during this time. Dr. Dueger suggests offering practical help, such as making meals, listening, and finding helpful resources for the family. She emphasizes that each family’s journey is unique and encourages embracing the experience of parenthood, no matter the challenges it may bring.

Overall, the interview provides insights and guidance on navigating the complexities of preparing to parent a child with special needs, emphasizing the importance of community support, open communication, and embracing the journey of parenthood.

📣 Connect with Stephanie:

WEBSITE: preparedforparenthood.com

EMAIL: info[@]preparedforparenthood.com

FACEBOOK: preparedforparenthood

PODCAST: Coming Soon!

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👉 Support our podcast and help us share more incredible stories by making a donation at Buy Me A Coffee. Your contribution makes a significant impact in bringing these stories to light. Thank you for your support!

https://BuyMeACoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Meet Today’s Guest:

Dr. Stephanie Dueger is an author, educator, parent coach, and psychotherapist who works with expectant and new parents and their little ones up to age 5. Her book, Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples Becoming Families (2020), is the book she wishes she’d had for herself when first becoming a parent and was the winner of a bronze medal for Parenting and Relationship books in the 2022 Global Book Awards and a finalist in the 2023 Book Excellence Awards. She facilitates parent workshops and courses and was the Editor-in-Chief of the academic Journal of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health from 2019-2022. Dr. Dueger lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and furball of a dog. Learn more about her work at https://preparedforparenthood.com.

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Episode #78: Parenting Challenges: A Mother’s Story of Finding Her Value

Special needs parenting is hard! You can get lost in the process of helping your child through all the stages of growing up, and many parents lose themselves along the way. Our guest in this episode, Megan Gibson, understands how parenting challenges can cause a special needs parent to feel like they get lost along the way, and she’s made it her mission to help others find the freedom to be themselves.
During this interview, Megan emphasizes the importance of staying true to your values and vision as a parent, even in the face of criticism or uncertainty. Throughout the conversation, Megan discusses her relationships, both past and present, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people who share your values and vision. She also touches on the difficulty of the transition when your children become more independent and offers guidance on navigating this challenging stage.
Overall, Megan’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of staying true to your values as a parent. Her story is not just about parenting; it’s about personal growth, transformation, and self-discovery. Megan’s willingness to share her experiences is both heartwarming and enlightening, offering hope and guidance to others on their parenting and self-improvement journeys.

📣 Connect with Megan:
WEBSITE https://freedtobeyou.com/
PODCAST https://freedtobeyou.com/podcast
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/freedtobeyou
FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedtorediscoveryou
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/freedtobeyou

Learn more about Water Prairie: https://waterprairie.com

Are you getting our newsletter? If not, subscribe at https://waterprairie.com/newsletter

👉 Support our podcast and help us share more incredible stories by making a donation at Buy Me A Coffee. Your contribution makes a significant impact in bringing these stories to light. Thank you for your support!
https://BuyMeACoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:
“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode #70: ADHD Coach’s Secrets: Empowering Special Needs Parents for Success

Show Notes:

In this insightful interview, Tonya talks with Arianna Bradford, an expert on ADHD and founder of the “Chase the Chaos” digital summit. Arianna shares her personal experiences with ADHD, discussing the challenges she faced growing up, the impact of her diagnosis, and her journey of self-discovery. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse manifestations of ADHD and highlights the misconceptions surrounding the condition.

Throughout the interview, Arianna addresses common stereotypes about ADHD, debunking the myths and explaining how ADHD affects individuals differently. She emphasizes that ADHD is not solely a childhood disorder and provides valuable insights into the specific challenges adults with ADHD may encounter.

Arianna sheds light on executive functioning and the difficulties it poses for people with ADHD, including time management, organization, and impulsivity. She discusses strategies to cope with these challenges, such as creating routines, using reminders, and employing various tools and apps.

The conversation delves into the relationship between ADHD and emotional regulation, highlighting the heightened emotional sensitivity often experienced by individuals with ADHD. Arianna shares coping mechanisms and encourages seeking professional support to manage emotions effectively.

Tonya and Arianna discuss the benefits of a supportive community for people with ADHD, acknowledging the significance of connecting with like-minded individuals who understand the challenges and triumphs associated with the condition.

Arianna further explores the link between creativity and ADHD, describing how ADHD individuals often have a strong ability to recognize patterns, which is sometimes mistaken for psychic abilities. She encourages embracing this creativity and incorporating self-care practices into daily life.

The interview concludes with Arianna sharing her upcoming “Chase the Chaos” digital summit, a platform for people with ADHD who enjoy focusing on multiple interests. The summit aims to create a community where diverse interests are celebrated, and individuals can learn from experts and share experiences.

Overall, Arianna’s expertise and personal journey provide a comprehensive understanding of ADHD, breaking down stigmas and offering practical strategies for navigating life with this unique condition.

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Connect with Arianna:

Website: https://youradhdone.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thearibradford/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdhDONE

Resource mentioned during this episode:

Chase the Chaos Online Summit: https://chasethechaos.thrivecart.com/ctc-summit-ticket/

Theta Wave Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4973024/

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode #68: Early Intervention: Why It Matters and How to Make the Most of It

Show Notes:

Today, we have a very special guest with us, Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom, who has been working with families for nearly three decades. In this episode, we’ll be diving into the topic of early intervention for children from birth to age 3, and exploring the foundational knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to foster healthy growth, development, and learning in your child. So, whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned caregiver, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn from one of the best in the business.

Connect with Jill:

Website: https://www.thementormomblog.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thementormom/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQsS7XZAyDX1whB9ysRdoQ

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode #52: Caring for Your Child with Disabilities: How to Plan for the Future

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, host Tonya Wollum interviews Amanda Owen, founder of the nonprofit organization Puzzle Pieces. Amanda shares her personal journey of growing up as a sibling to a brother with a rare disability and how it has impacted her life. She talks about the emotional impact of having a sibling with a disability, the challenges and joys that come with it, and the importance of emotional intelligence in processing those feelings.

As a special education teacher, Amanda felt called to do more to support people with disabilities and founded Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community for almost 11 years. Through her own experiences and the work of Puzzle Pieces, Amanda has become a coach for parents and siblings of individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate the emotional and practical aspects of their situations.

In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Amanda shares her perspective on growing up as a sibling to a brother with a disability and the lessons she has learned along the way. Whether you are a parent, sibling, or friend of someone with a disability, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspiration on how to support and advocate for those with disabilities.

Join us next week for the rest of Tonya’s conversation with Amanda. She talks more about her experiences, the books she’s written to help support children with disabilities and spread awareness and acceptance, and her work with her non-profit, Puzzle Pieces.

Amanda loves to connect! Find her at:

          Website: piecesofme.org

          Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pieces-of-me/id1547078857

          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piecesofmebyamanda

          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piecesofmebyamanda/

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

“2 Truths and a Lie” Game:

      Can you guess which statements Amanda shared were her truths and which was her lie? Post your best guess in the comments below. We’ll post the correct answer on Instagram next week so be sure to check and see if you were right.

     1. Her brother was the 11th person in U.S. with his diagnosis.

     2. She is 2 episodes from 100th on podcast.

     3. She loves to cook and try new recipes.

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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