In this episode you'll find tips & tricks to keep your house picked up & daily chores done, even when you can barely get up. How? By doing small things at a time, having a basket in each room of things that need to go to other places, and enlisting your family to help. What kind of jobs (chores) can small kids do? Tune in & find out! Thank you for joining me today! I'm having a blast creating the Bedridden Mom Series & it would be an honor to have you share these episodes with so...
Nov 16, 2022•12 min•Season 4Ep. 77
What causes mom guilt? Are you tired? No, really TIRED, so tired all the time. No matter how much sleep you try to get - when you lie down, your body still doesn’t feel rested. Or maybe you have pain, constant pain. That pain makes it so hard to be the Mom you’d like to be. Pain and fatigue can make you grumpy. No one likes to admit when we’re grumpy - right? Who doesn’t want to be one of those fun Moms, the one that all the kids on the block run to. When the difficulties of health challenges ta...
Nov 15, 2022•12 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Being in bed & on the couch for prolonged periods of time can be depressing. Learn how to create a happy place (you can change it as often as you like) and feel more at peace where you are. It just takes a little bit of time & money to spruce up your spot & make it the little paradise you need. Thank you for joining me today! Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll find hacks to simplify this chronic life, and ways to live well and enjoy your life again - with any health challenges....
Nov 14, 2022•11 min•Season 4Ep. 75
Are your kids ignoring you? Do they nod their head when you talk and just walk away, not doing what they should? I can help! I've got 7 kids, born in 4 different decades by the time I was 43. (The math gets pretty creative!!) I've had an opportunity to raise 5 successful adults, and have 2 more young ones at home. Things have changed - a LOT - over the years, but one thing is still the same, and you need to be doing it! Thank you for joining me today! Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll fin...
Nov 14, 2022•13 min•Season 5Ep. 74
Yes, I like things perfect! But my perfectionism had to go when I got really sick. And you know what? It was the best thing that could have happened! I had to stop being a perfectionist! It wasn't just hurting me, but I had unrealistic standards for everyone around me. Do I get frustrated sometimes? Yes! But I'd rather get frustrated sometimes with an imperfect job than have nothing finished! Thank you for joining me today! Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll find ways to live well, grow, a...
Nov 12, 2022•9 min•Season 4Ep. 73
Peopleing is hard sometimes, especially when we don't feel well. But by working together, we lighten each other's loads, make each other smile, and have things to look forward to. Your next best friend might be right next door, around the corner, or at that art class you've been wanting to try. But you won't know unless you get out there and talk to people. Your homework this week is to find one thing to do and meet some new people. Whether they're the group for you or not, you'll have gotten a ...
Nov 10, 2022•12 min•Season 4Ep. 72
If you've got a chronic illness tough enough to keep you in bed or on the couch, chances are you've dealt with some anger, guilt, and frustration at some point. Some of us get through it quickly, while others struggle with letting it go. Everyone tells us the same thing, which is basically "just get over it," or "it's making you sicker." Well, if it was that easy, we could just get over it, but I've got a new way to help. It comes and goes for me, and I've learned some great tips to help let it ...
Nov 10, 2022•13 min•Season 4Ep. 71
It's hard to parent with chronic Illness, Depression, Anxiety, and Pain! I know, because there are times that I've dealt with all of them. Some more than others, but I haven't been sharing openly how I experience them all. You need someone who gets it. You need more! So starting now I'm going to record every week, even if I'm feeling bad. You're going to hear the transparent reality of chronic mom life. Let me know what you're struggling with so that I can help. If I don't have the answers, I'll...
Nov 04, 2022•8 min•Season 3Ep. 69
My friend, Dr. Paul Meckes, came on the show to talk to me because this guy has some great advice about loving our lives again: “Learning to take our power back.” Don't allow yourself to be bullied. Stop being bullied, recognize that you love yourself. Recognize your gifts. Search for the things that you truly love and do those things Thinking is creative, thinking is creating something in your mind. Start creating. Think of yourself positively, use the emotion - be passionate about it - see it ...
Oct 20, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 68
Life with chronic illness sucks. Hardy Mom's focus is getting through the rough times & discovering ways to make it easier. But sometimes, in order to not just be a fake positive hypocrite, I have to be honest & let you know that sometimes I struggle too. This episode explains what it feels like. It also works on finding something to focus on so you can get through it. Because no matter what, we need to keep moving forward. You can find the transcript at HardyMom.com . Thank you for join...
Oct 13, 2022•15 min•Season 3Ep. 67
[TRIGGER WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES LOSS OF A CHILD] Christine’s Advice on how to rebuild yourself: (it all works for business and your personal life) Let go of others’ expectations Let go of others who leave you because you’re going through it Be willing to let go of everything that isn’t working - you can start again later, or not Learn to “flock” Find a way to turn your trauma into a triumph The quote that inspire’s Christine: “When we open up possibility, it decreases depression and an...
Oct 04, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 66
Have you been struggling? Are you trying to make sense of all the changes that have been happening around you? You're not alone! Sometimes our lives can feel like a hurricane is in control, blowing us from one urgent matter to the next, soaking us with disappointment. You don't have to live that way, constantly fighting the storm. It's so much more peaceful to learn to be flexible and bend like a palm tree. Check out the episode to find out more, and find the transcript HERE . Thank you for join...
Sep 29, 2022•10 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Are you spinning your wheels trying to get it all done? Wonder what's really going to matter to your kids decades from now? Find out on this episode of the Hardy Mom Podcast featuring Anna Russell, grandma of 38. Anna is the most beautiful soul I've ever known! She leaves voices texts of herself singing for me when I'm having a bad day! (spoiler alert - they become great days!) Discover Anna's secrets to close family relationships on this episode, and find more at HardyMom.com I've got my own se...
Sep 20, 2022•29 min•Season 3Ep. 64
Here's the story of what happened when I had a stroke (and how I got there): Did you know that (until last week) I was simultaneously working on 5 books. Five books!! That's the level of intensity I've been running at! So my body decided to slow me down, in the scariest way possible. (Did I tell you the tests also show I've had a recent heart attack? "No, honey, I'm just going to clutch my chest for a minute and then finish that article..." Seriously! I do need to listen to my body better.) Are ...
Sep 15, 2022•10 min•Season 3Ep. 63
Have you ever had relationship issues? If so, this episode is for you! Julie Menanno MA has got some great tips you can use today to make all of your relationships better. Julie's tips: 3 easy things you can do today to build toward 'The Secure Relationship you desire: (find much more on HardyMom.com) Give and receive healthy physical touch Say "thank you" (the message is I see you, I appreciate you, and I want you to feel good) Ask, "what is it you're needing from me today?" Learn where you are...
Sep 02, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 62
How to Improve Your Doctor-Patient Relationship and get the care you need I don't know about you, but I've been struggling with getting quality medical care. I've asked around and many people I know have been having the same issue. So I started thinking, is it the doctor? Or could it be... US ? Well, I've used Dr. Bluestein's advice for my last hospital stay and last 3 office visits, and it's made a huge difference!! (ok, I did not take it at the end of my hospital stay...but more on that later....
Aug 26, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Stop doing this today and feel better tonight! I'm pretty sure you're doing it, I know I was! I put everyone else first. But I had to, right? I mean, I LOVE my kids! I didn't feel well, and saved up my energy to take them where they wanted to go. I hosted as many events and parties as I could to make them happy. (One month we had 3 parties for just one of our daughters - 3!!) Sometimes I'd stay healthy, and sometimes I pushed so hard I'd be in bed for days... weeks... or months. Was it teaching ...
Aug 20, 2022•15 min•Season 3Ep. 60
After 23 years of homeschooling (and 8 years to go) I've learned some great tips & tricks to homeschool the easy way! 7 Easy Steps to Homeschooling: (Step 5 is the easiest!) Step 1- Relax Step 2 - Create your battle plan Step 3 - Discover your style Discover the rest when you hear the episode, and go to HardyMom.com/homeschool-help for the extensive article with the info from this episode and much more. Thank you for joining me today! Looking for a community of moms who get what it's like to...
Aug 09, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 59
I clicked on a trailer for a film I'd never heard of. I'd found it while scrolling, I don't even know where. It mentioned invisible illness, and having several of those I was intrigued. Not even a minute into that trailer for 'We Are Visible,' and I had to push pause. I was sobbing so hard I couldn't hear it anymore. After a few minutes I finished watching it and immediately searched for the creator's email address. I HAD to interview her. How did she do it? How could she have captured what ever...
Jul 21, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 58
TRIGGER WARNING Chances are, when you listen to this episode you’re going to have feelings about it. This is Scott Newgent's story. It’s an important one as our society moves forward making decisions - permanent decisions - about the future of our children. Scott, and those who have medically transitioned, are the only ones who can tell the rest of us what medical transition truly is, what the long term effects are, and how it could impact children long-term. Why Scott? He used to be Kelly King,...
Jul 06, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 57
I have 7 kids. 5 of them are adults, and they’re successful as the world sees it. They each live on their own, are financially self-supporting - with cars, and money in the bank. But when I was raising them, I didn’t know how to be a good parent. I never really spent time with good parents. So I raised them on book knowledge and what I knew I didn’t want to do. On this podcast, I've said from the beginning that I'd share what to do, and what NOT to do. It's been tough to share my mistakes, but I...
Jun 24, 2022•16 min•Season 3Ep. 56
If you want more - you need more - you truly can do it, no matter what's happening with your health! I learned how to do it, and you can too! Some days turning over is all we can do, so turn over. Some days taking a shower is all we can do - so take a shower. Some days doing the dishes is all we can do - so do those dishes. And on an amazing day when you have a BURST of energy, get out a piece of paper - the biggest you can find - and a pen (and go to the website or listen to the episode to find...
Jun 16, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 55
I have several "preexisting conditions" and the doctors all said I'd die if I got covid. But we were dealing with overwhelming anxiety by staying isolated. We did the unthinkable: living as though covid didn't exist. And I got covid, but I've lived to tell about it. Find out the whole story, and how you can prepare at HardyMom.com Here are 10 things you can do to prepare: Prepare ahead of time (If it’s too late for that, it’s ok move to the next step) Stay calm Assess your needs in the beginning...
Jun 07, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 54
If you're struggling with how to deal with an annoying person, here are some tips that might help: 1. Don't take their behavior personally. Difficult people are often dealing with their own issues, and they're not looking for a fight, so try not to take their behavior personally. 2. Set boundaries. If someone is constantly crossing your personal boundaries, it's time to set some limits. Let the person know what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable, and be prepared to enforce those boundarie...
May 20, 2022•9 min•Season 3Ep. 53
You are NOT alone! So many of us have been are sick & tired of being sick & tired for a long time, but we don’t have to live this way! Hi! I’m Jen Hardy. Mom of 7, and collector of eclectic diseases. And I’m here to tell you the 10 secrets of living well with health challenges. You can get all the details at Hardymom.com Some Secrets we discussed: How to get your kids to help out on Episode 46 How to clean your house in 1 hour on Episode 47 How to be positive, no really, on Episode 50 Fe...
May 05, 2022•14 min•Season 3Ep. 52
For some, getting a new diagnosis causes a feeling of relief to wash over them. "I'm so happy it's this and not that!" or "thank goodness they finally found something!" But, often a new diagnosis isn't something we were hoping for. It can be hard to figure out how to deal with a new diagnosis. It might be IBS, migraine, or fibromyalgia. Or maybe you just got diagnosed with something like MS or cancer. For someone who's always been healthy, it can be a shock. There are no rules, and there is no "...
Apr 22, 2022•16 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Have you had people tell you, “Just be positive and you’ll feel better?” If you’ve got a health challenge, you've probably heard that a lot. But how are you supposed to feel better when you feel miserable, or have pain, or depression? What about the family needing to be fed, kids taken to activiteis, and the cooking, shopping, and your never ending to-do list? Positivity can be elusive, but I’m here to help. Not with phony positivity and a fake smile, but finding true joy, and through that, the ...
Apr 07, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 50
First of all I want to say that I love teens! Not only have I raised five, but I've also had the opportunity to work with several teen groups, and they are an amazing group of people! Unfortunately, our society has created an "us and them" attitude, and it's easy to slip into those roles. You have a health challenge. The less arguing around you the better. The best thing for you is total peace and harmony. OK, let’s be more realistic. The best thing for you is to surround yourself with as much p...
Mar 22, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 49
You're a Mom, and that means there's shopping to do. Whether it's the grocery store, pharmacy, or shopping for fun, you've got to get out sometimes. And all children find things they want (we do too, don't we?) It's important to teach that they can't have everything they want, and it's also important to keep your sanity! This episode has all the things you can do to accomplish both. You can contact me at hardymom.com/contact to let me know what you think, and to let me know what you'd like to he...
Mar 15, 2022•15 min•Season 3Ep. 48
We’ve all had it happen - the phone rings and you’ve got someone on the way to visit & you need a clean house - now. Or maybe you just want your home to feel tidy and peaceful for you and your family. But your home looks like the circus has come to stay. You’re feeling exhausted, but still want them to feel comfortable & give the illusion that you live in a clean house. You do, but as much as you try, there’s still stuff everywhere. This episode will teach you how to do a quick (not perf...
Mar 10, 2022•15 min•Season 3Ep. 47
