A Little Extra Momming

Mandi Moseley

A Little Extra Momming | Parenting medically complex and disabled kids is inspired by the daily life of parenting a child with Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18). This podcast is a space where parents of kids with medically complex and life-limiting condition can find connection in the chaos. This is where we hold the heavy, honor the heartbreak, and welcome the humor that keeps us moving one day, one doctor appointment, one hospital visit at a time. Join us to feel a little less isolated and a lot more understood in this "extra" life we live.

Épisodes

  1. 24 AVR.

    That Hospital Life: Building a Home ICU

    Show Notes In this episode, I’m sharing a layered look at what it actually means to parent a medically complex child—through 12+ hospital stays, ICU admissions, and the process of building a “home ICU” system over time. This isn’t a linear story. It’s a real one. We talk about those early days of bringing a medically fragile child home with no roadmap… the exhaustion, the uncertainty, and the moments no one really prepares you for. From there, I walk through how care evolves—what different levels of respiratory support actually mean, how hospitalizations can become cyclical, and what it looks like to slowly build confidence in both home care and hospital decision-making. This episode also explores: How to think about medical tools as support—not failureThe reality of repeated hospital stays and how your role changes over timeLearning when to manage at home vs. when to go inHow advocacy is built through experience, not personalityWhy you are the most consistent expert on your childAnd how it’s still possible to build a life—your life—inside all of thisAt its core, this conversation is about rhythm. Not perfection. Not control.But learning how to live, decide, advocate, and breathe inside a life you didn’t plan—but are actively building anyway. To make this episode more practical, I’ve included a few resources based on our real-life experience: A “Take to the Hospital” list (what we bring from home to make stays smoother)A “Take Home from the Hospital” list (items you can keep instead of letting them go to waste)A simple outline of our home sick-day regimen, including airway clearance routines, nebulizer use, suction timing, and how we think through escalationThese are not prescriptive or one-size-fits-all. They’re simply examples of what has worked for our family—shared in case it helps you ask better questions, feel more prepared, or build your own systems over time. If you’re new to this world, or even if you’ve been in it for a while: You don’t have to have everything figured out. You’re allowed to learn your child as you go.You’re allowed to build your rhythm over time. And you’re still allowed to live your life inside this story. Resources MentionedFinal Note: All links are temporarily available for FREE SUBSCRIBERS to our Substack articles with the Extra Care Collective. ExtraCareCollective.com That Hospital Life - What You Bring With You That Hospital Life (cont.) - What We Take Back With Us Our Sick-Day Action Plan (for respiratory viruses)

    16 min
  2. 17 AVR.

    Say Yes Anyway: Traveling with a Medically Complex, Disabled Child

    When traveling with a medically complex and disabled child, there is a constant tension between what’s possible and what’s safe. This episode lives right in that space. From a cross-country road trip on hospice to a Make-A-Wish trip that nearly unraveled, it’s an honest look at the beauty, fear, and split-second decisions families like ours carry. Not every yes is right for every family—but this is what it looks like to weigh the risk, and choose "yes" anyway. Practical Items for Traveling: Travel looks different when your child depends on equipment—but it is possible. These are the practical items that make it safer, smoother, and way less stressful. ⸻ 🧻 Quick clean-up lifesavers When things get messy (and they will), these are non-negotiables: • Disposable chuck pads (underpads): https://tinyurl.com/ChuckPad-Amazon • Puppy pads (great backup in a pinch): https://tinyurl.com/PuppyPad-Walmart ⸻ 🔌 Backup power = peace of mind If you rely on a feeding pump or oxygen, power isn’t optional. • Portable power station (must have grounded 3-prong outlets): https://tinyurl.com/Jackery-WalMart https://tinyurl.com/Sinkeu-Amazon  🛏️ Safe sleep anywhere Creating a safe setup on the go matters more than comfort aesthetics. • Portable toddler bed rail (foldable): https://tinyurl.com/FoldableRail-Amazon https://tinyurl.com/FoldableRail-Walmart • beanbag positioning pillows https://a.co/d/048dBA7L And even memory foam filler to make your own configurations:  https://a.co/d/0iCn3TlM ⸻ 🧊 Feeding on the go *Always bring the whole replacement kit. If you don't have one, bring a safe sterile item (catheter or alike) to keep stoma open until you can get to a pediatric ER with a replacement for you. Keeping feeds safe + accessible is everything. • Insulated backpack for tube feeds (cute, non-medical): https://a.co/d/01GUbN3o ⸻ ✈️ Oxygen travel essentials Flying or long travel days require the right equipment. • TSA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (example): https://www.inogen.com/products/inogen-one-g4/ ⸻ 🚗 Car travel safety Some kids cannot sit upright safely—this is critical. • Car bed (for infants/children who must lay flat in the car): https://tinyurl.com/Car-Bed-Reference **Your hospital’s Physical Therapy department should be able to provide you with one covered by insurance with a prescription.  If you do not like the models they offer (can be large), here is another option you may look into. ☝️  Final thought: You don’t need a perfect setup—you need a prepared one. Start with safety, add comfort, and build your system over time. This is for your sanity and freedom. Safe travels!!

    25 min

À propos

A Little Extra Momming | Parenting medically complex and disabled kids is inspired by the daily life of parenting a child with Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18). This podcast is a space where parents of kids with medically complex and life-limiting condition can find connection in the chaos. This is where we hold the heavy, honor the heartbreak, and welcome the humor that keeps us moving one day, one doctor appointment, one hospital visit at a time. Join us to feel a little less isolated and a lot more understood in this "extra" life we live.