𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮, let’s talk about it—𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 when you’re raising kids in extreme parenting situations. Whether you’re a 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺, 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗺, 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀, we see 👀 you. 💜

If you’ve ever skipped a birthday party to avoid the exhaustion of managing your child’s needs in a social setting or felt like “nobody gets it”—this episode is for you. Deena and Christina get real about the emotional rollercoaster of finding (and keeping) friendships while navigating caregiving, chronic stress, and the unique challenges of raising kids who don’t always “fit in.”

Here’s the truth: Isolation is a tool of the enemy to make you feel like you’re alone. But guess what? You’re NOT. There’s a whole tribe of moms out here who get it, who see you, and who want to do life with you. So, let’s tackle this junk drawer together and ditch the loneliness for good. 🙌

🎧 Hit play now for raw, faith-filled encouragement and practical strategies to build the connections you need (without the mom guilt).

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:

💡 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀—but community is out there.💡 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 “𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁” 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵.

💡 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴.💡 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝘀… 𝘂𝘀. 🤯💡 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

💡 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲! 👯‍♀️

📲 DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW, LIKE, & SHARE! Tag a mama who needs this reminder today. 💗

🎙 New episodes every Wednesday!

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 YouTube

🔹 Spotify

🔹 Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, & iHeart Radio📌 Follow for more encouragement:

📘 Facebook: Junk Drawer Mamas Podcast

📸 Instagram: @junkdrawermamas

📱 TikTok: @junkdrawermamas

🌐 Website: Specially Empowered Moms

✔️ Check out what Deena is doing at Specially Empowered Moms:

📘 Facebook

📸 Instagram

📱 TikTok

✔️ See what Christina is doing at Faith Through Foster Care:🌐 Website

📸 Instagram

📨 Have a topic you want us to tackle? Email us at junkdrawermamas@gmail.com

#JunkDrawerMamas #MomLifeUnfiltered #SpecialNeedsMoms #ExtremeParenting #identity #ParentingPodcast #StressAndIdentity #MomEncouragement #Hopeandhealing #RealMomTalk #FaithOverStress #SelfImageStruggles #MomLifeSupport #Stress #isolation #lonliness #MomLife #WearyMoms #ChristianMoms #MomEncouragement #FillYourCup

🎙 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟳 | 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀 | T𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸 & 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘆!

𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮, 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿? 😩

Let’s talk about it.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 “Y𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.”

But listen—𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. When we don’t care for ourselves and stay pressed into Jesus, we will burn out. And when we’re weary, we react out of depletion instead of peace.

💡 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
🔹 Why exhaustion makes us more vulnerable to the enemy’s lies
🔹 How running on fumes leads to mom guilt & burnout
🔹 What it REALLY means to “fill your cup” (hint: it’s more than self-care) ☕
🔹 How to stay rooted in Jesus so you don’t crash by the end of the day
🔹 Practical ways to refill your heart, mind, and spirit so you can parent from peace, not depletion

🎧 𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱.

📲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪, 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘, 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮y! 💗

💕 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.

#JunkDrawerMamas #ChronicStress #MomLifeUnfiltered #SpecialNeedsMoms #ExtremeParenting #identity #ParentingPodcast #StressAndIdentity #MomEncouragement #Hopeandhealing #RealMomTalk #FaithOverStress #SelfImageStruggles #MomLifeSupport #Stress #identity #MomLife #WearyMoms #BurnoutIsReal #FaithInTheChaos #ChristianMoms #MomEncouragement #FillYourCup

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀 "[𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗱’𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲]’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗺" 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲? Or felt like your only purpose is to keep tiny humans alive while running on fumes and stale Goldfish crackers? (Just us? Cool.)

This week on 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀, 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗼, and 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 unpack the ways stress messes with our identity as moms. When we get tangled up in labels—"special needs mom," "wife," "caregiver"—we forget who we really are in Christ. And that’s when the enemy sneaks in, fueling stress, self-doubt, and the feeling that we’re never enough.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:
⚡ The weight of parental labels and how they shape our self-worth
⚡ How stress fuels insecurity, self-doubt, and passive aggression (yep, we’re going there)
⚡ Why self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a biblical necessity
⚡ The power of renewing your mind daily and shutting down the lies of the enemy
⚡ How to rest in your true identity instead of striving to be “better”

𝗦𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻, 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿, "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵," 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲.

🎧 New episodes every Wednesday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music iHeart Radio, and YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/@JunkDrawerMamas

#JunkDrawerMamas #ChronicStress #MomLifeUnfiltered #SpecialNeedsMoms #ExtremeParenting #identity #ParentingPodcast #StressAndIdentity #MomEncouragement #Hopeandhealing #RealMomTalk #OverwhelmedNotAlone #FaithOverStress #SelfImageStruggles #MomLifeSupport #StressHormonesHealth

✨ Episode 5: When Stress Tips the Scale: The Hidden Weight of Extreme Parenting ✨

Special needs moms and moms navigating extreme parenting often carry a weight much heavier than meets the eye—both physically and emotionally. Chronic stress wreaks havoc on hormone levels, leading to health challenges like weight gain, fatigue, and even shame about self-image. This cycle can feel relentless, and the judgment from others doesn’t help. People assume it’s about overeating or inactivity, but let’s be real—when you’re juggling therapy appointments, meltdowns, and midnight laundry loads, who has time for self-care?

Tune in as Deena and Christina get raw and real about their personal struggles with weight, self-image, and the deep emotional pain chronic stress can cause. You’ll hear how extreme parenting impacts their health and what they’ve learned about breaking free from the shame and stereotypes.

🎧 Whether you’re crying into your cold coffee or chasing your kid through the grocery store, this episode is for you. We hope our stories remind you that you’re not alone and that your worth isn’t tied to your dress size.

💡 Stress Fact: Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can lead to increased fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. Add poor sleep and no time for nourishing meals, and it’s no wonder your body struggles to keep up.

💡 Another Fact: Studies show that stress can shrink the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for making decisions—like, "Should I grab a salad or this bag of chocolate-covered pretzels?”

💬 We want to hear from you! Take a moment to listen, follow, and share this episode with a mama who could use some encouragement.

👉Leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen—your feedback helps us support more moms just like you.

🎙️ Find us everywhere you stream: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and YouTube.

💌 Connect with us on social:

Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/junkdrawermamas

https://www.speciallyempoweredmoms.com/junkdrawermamas

#JunkDrawerMamas #ChronicStress #MomLifeUnfiltered #SpecialNeedsMoms #ExtremeParenting ParentingPodcast
#StressAndWeight #MomEncouragement #HealingThroughFaith #RealMomTalk #OverwhelmedNotAlone #FaithOverStress #SelfImageStruggles #MomLifeSupport
#StressHormonesHealth

Stress—it’s like that extra sock in the laundry. It sneaks in where it doesn’t belong, and before you know it, you’re buried in it. For moms navigating extreme parenting, whether it’s a rough season or a lifetime of challenges, stress isn’t just part of the equation—it’s the headline.

In this episode of Junk Drawer Mamas, Deena and Christina get real about the types of stress moms face, the ways it impacts our hearts, minds, and bodies, and how we can rise above it. From personal stories of juggling chaos to practical tips that actually work, we’re spilling all the tea on managing stress without losing your mind—or your faith.

Here’s the truth, Mama: You’re not meant to do this alone. God’s got you, and so do we. Tune in as we share how leaning into His strength can turn even the messiest, most stressful days into moments of peace and purpose.

Why You Should Listen:

• Get practical, faith-filled strategies to tackle stress head-on.
• Laugh (because if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry) at our honest and relatable mom-life stories.
• Walk away with encouragement and a reminder that you’re never alone in this journey.

✨ Share the love:

• 🎧 Listen now for relatable wisdom and encouragement.
• 💬 Tag a mom who needs this message today—we’re all in this together.
• ❤️ Don’t forget to like, follow, and share with someone who needs a little extra hope.

#JunkDrawerMamas #MomLife #StressReliefForMoms #ExtremeParenting #FaithInTheChaos #ChristianMoms #ParentingSupport #MomLifeRealTalk #EncouragedMoms

Rediscovering You: Finding Identity Beyond Motherhood and Marriage

In this heartfelt and deeply relatable episode, Deena and Christina open up about their personal journeys as moms, wives, and women navigating the challenges of extreme parenting. They share their life stories, offering an intimate glimpse into how family dynamics, career choices, and the weight of responsibilities have shaped their roles as mothers.

The central focus of this conversation is the often-overlooked struggle many women face: losing their sense of identity. It’s all too easy to become consumed by the demands of motherhood and marriage, forgetting the unique individual you were created to be. Deena and Christina dive into the emotional toll this can take, especially for moms parenting in extraordinary circumstances, like special needs, trauma, foster care, or mental health challenges.

This episode isn’t just about acknowledging the struggle—it’s about recognizing the signs of losing yourself and finding practical, faith-driven steps to rediscover who you are outside of your roles as mom and wife. Through honest reflections and powerful insights, Deena and Christina offer encouragement and hope for moms who feel stuck, helping them embrace their God-given identities and find balance, joy, and fulfillment in their lives.

Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to look beyond the chaos and remember the vibrant, purposeful woman God designed you to be.

Come check out what Deena is doing over at Specially Empowered Moms

www.speciallyempoweredmoms.com

https://www.facebook.com/SpeciallyEmpoweredMoms

Come check out what Christiana is doing at Faith Through Foster Care

www.fatihthorughfostercare.com

www.instagram.com/faiththroughfostercare