Speaking Life Into Motherhood ~ Rhythms, Child Development, Homeschool, Special Needs, Speech Delay, Systems, Autism, ADHD, N

Elyse Scheeler MS CCC-SLP, Special Needs & Homeschool Strategy Coach, Advocate
  • 5.0 (41)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

**Top 3% Globally Ranked Podcast!** Are you a Christian mom exhausted from  navigating a tough season with your child? Are you worried your child is not developing normally, but have been told to "wait and see"?  Has your child already been identified as having additional needs? I'm Elyse, Speech Language Pathologist, Special Needs and Homeschool Strategy Coach, Family Advocate and a mom who has walked this journey. After being dismissed by providers about my own son's needs, I had to learn how to advocate fiercely—and I discovered how often exhausted moms like us are told to just "wait and see" when we know something more is needed. That's why I created Speaking Life Into Motherhood. Each week, you'll gain the tools and confidence to advocate for your child whether you just have general concerns and are trying to be proactive, or your child has a speech delay, ADHD, autism, or developmental diagnosis, my goal is for you to feel supported and seen. You'll learn about typical development, alternative strategies that actually simplify your life (not complicate it), discover simple systems that create healthy rhythms for your neurodivergent family, and receive biblical truth that meets you right where you are in the trenches of motherhood. Whether you're navigating IEPs or trying to decide whether to homeschool your child- searching for alternatives to medication, or just trying to get through the day with energy left for yourself, this podcast equips you with what you need to make the best decisions for your child—and finally feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.

  1. 1d ago

    Burned Out or Just Busy? How Exhausted Moms Can Earn Income From Home Without Losing Their Family //79

    Are you so exhausted that the idea of “one more thing” feels impossible, even though your family could really use the extra income? Have you ever wondered whether wanting something just for you is selfish? Do you look around your home and think you have nothing to offer? In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Campbell, a homeschool mom of four, cottage baker, and host of the Treasures at Home podcast. Kelly shares how a desperate prayer and a single photo of pumpkin bread grew into a business that helped carry her family through a hard season. We talk about how to tell burnout from busyness, why your time with the Lord is daily bread and not one more item on your to-do list, how to stop undercharging, and the simple question that can help you find your own God-given idea: What do you have in your home? In this episode: How Kelly started her baking business during nap time with four kids under fiveBurned out or just busy? How to tell the difference, and when to step awayWhy having something that’s yours can actually fill your cupHolding a “business meeting with God” about your work and your familyKnowing your worth and knowing your customersThe 2 Kings 4 question that starts every business ideaConnect with Kelly: Podcast: Treasures at Home (Apple Podcasts and YouTube)Instagram: @treasuresathomepodcastFacebook: Kelly Campbell While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  2. Oct 10

    Is It Really Just Mom Tired? What Pain and Brain Fog Are Doing to Your Ability to Show Up for Your Kids //78

    Are you snapping at your kids and wondering why your patience is gone? Have you gotten so used to pain, fog, or exhaustion that you’ve stopped noticing it? Are you trying to figure out what your child needs while your own body is running on empty? In this episode, I’m sharing honestly about my summer, when a fall knocked me off my feet and showed me how much our bodies affect the way we show up for our families. We’ll talk about how chronic pain, exhaustion, and brain fog affect your nervous system and your parenting. I’ll also share four steps for recognizing what you’re carrying and caring for yourself so you can advocate for your child from a steadier place. We’ll look at how God cared for Elijah’s body before anything else, and I’ll introduce a special series of re-released episodes on caring for our minds and bodies as moms. In this episode: The body and brain inventory: noticing what you’ve normalizedHow pain and exhaustion affect your nervous system and your familyRegulating before you advocate: simple tools to use before appointments and hard momentsAdvocating for yourself the way you advocate for your childWhat 1 Kings 19 teaches us about rest, nourishment, and our limits While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  3. Sep 17

    Stop Waiting Until Everything's Done to Rest: A Devotional for Weary Moms //77

    Do you feel like you can't rest until the therapy paperwork is filed, the IEP meeting is survived, and the meltdown is over? Have you convinced yourself that rest is something you earn only after everything on your list is checked off? What if Jesus never put that condition on it in the first place? In this solo episode, I share a quiet devotional recorded from the hills of Kentucky, reflecting on what it really means to rest as a mom walking the road of advocating for a child with additional needs. Drawing from Matthew 11:28-29, I remind listeners (and myself!) that Jesus doesn't ask us to earn rest — He invites us into it right in the middle of our weariness, unfinished days, and all. Scripture Referenced: Matthew 11:28-29 — "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  4. Aug 22

    Beyond the IEP: A Homeschool Framework for Exhausted Moms of Kids With Additional Needs// 76

    Have you ever raised a concern about your child to a doctor or a teacher, only to be told, "It's fine, don't worry about it"? Do you actually know what an IEP provides — or are you making a decision about your child's education based on fear of what you assume you can't replicate at home? And if your child already has a diagnosis, do you know that doesn't automatically guarantee them services in the public schools? In this solo episode, I'm sharing the talk I gave at the very first Wisconsin Homeschool Expo — "Beyond the IEP." I walk through what an IEP really is (and isn't), the real number of minutes most kids receive in specially designed instruction, and how any parent — homeschooling or not — can build their own simple home education plan using the same four-part framework schools use: present levels, goals, accommodations, and services. Resources mentioned in this episode: Advocacy Toolkit (scripts and tools for talking to doctors and teachers): speakinglife.co/advocacySpecial Needs Clarity Coaching — a 60-minute clarity call on your child's next stepsHomeschool Strategy Session — help outlining a home education plan for your childSpeaking Life Into Homeschool — my 12-week coaching program, starting back up in September While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  5. Aug 6

    Don't Skip Prayer, Don't Skip Self-Care: A Homeschool Advocate's Honest Advice //75

    Is your child being bullied — and have you actually stopped to ask where it's happening? Are you buying the whole curriculum bundle because it feels safer, only to lose your mind trying to pace it? And when an IEP meeting leaves you feeling dismissed, do you know how to advocate without becoming adversarial? In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Lasik, co-owner of Learning Tree Christian Education Services and a former teacher and school administrator, to talk about what it really takes to start homeschooling with confidence — especially when your child has additional needs. Jennifer shares her own family's story of walking through a faith crisis with her daughter, how she became an unexpected advocate for her niece's IEP and graduation, and the practical, first-step framework every parent needs before they choose a curriculum. Connect with Jennifer: Learning Tree Christian Education Services — LTCES.org Find Jennifer at the Speaking Life Into Homeschool Expo, where Learning Tree is a gold sponsor. Resources mentioned: The PEACE Framework — speakinglife.co/peaceLearning Tree Christian Education Services — LTCES.orgSpeaking Life Into Homeschool Expo, August 16, 2026, Waukesha Expo Center — speakinglife.co/homeschool While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  6. Jul 29

    Is My Child Behind in Reading? Why Phonics Fixes What Sight Words Broke //74

    Does your child need to be reading by age five — or is that pressure setting your family up for unnecessary tears? Are sight words secretly working against your child's ability to actually read, instead of just guess? And if your homeschooler is years "behind" grade level, is it too late to fix the gap? In this episode, I sit down with Melanie Jeffrey — former K-3 classroom teacher and host of the top-ranked Phonics for Homeschool Moms podcast — to break down what real reading instruction looks like at home. We cover developmentally appropriate reading timelines, why phonics-based instruction beats whole-language/sight-word approaches, playful ways to build early reading skills, and how to help older or struggling readers (including kids with suspected dyslexia) close the gap without shame or burnout. Connect with Melanie: Website: phonicsrulesforkids.com Podcast: Phonics for Homeschool Moms Resources mentioned: Superhero Sounds Drill (car game for blending/segmenting)CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant) as first reading wordsMelanie's curriculum: Teach K-2 Child to Read: From CVC Words to Confident Reader While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  7. Jul 24

    "I've Had It Too": Why Needing a Break Doesn't Make You a Bad Mom // 73

    Have you ever needed a break from your kids and wondered what that says about you as a mom? What if the thing that's throwing off your whole season isn't a big dramatic crisis, but something small and undramatic that quietly changed everything underneath it? And can wanting rest and loving your kids well actually be the same thing? In this episode, I respond to the viral comments from a host on the "I've Had It" podcast about homeschooling and needing to "get her kids out of the house" — but instead of arguing the politics of it, she turns the conversation toward the mama who felt a flicker of guilt in the reaction to it. I share about a recent fall that's thrown off our entire summer and left me with ongoing mobility issues, what I'm learning about rest and being equipped through Philippians 1:6, and why respite isn't something to feel guilty about — it's part of the plan. In this episode: The viral podcast comments that have homeschool families buzzing, and why the real conversation isn't about herElyse's recent fall and what an "undramatic" injury taught her about the extra weight of hard seasonsPhilippians 1:6 — being equipped doesn't mean having it all figured outWhat planned respite actually looks like for special needs familiesOne small, doable step to take this week if you're in a season of overwhelmResources mentioned: Homeschool Strategy Session — a 60-minute call to build your homeschool foundation: speakinglife.co/homeschoolplanSpeaking Life Into Homeschool group coaching — next cohort launching September: speakinglife.co/homeschoolplan While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

  8. Jul 8

    America's 250th: The Untold Sacrifices Behind "We Hold These Truths" // 72

    Do you ever feel like you're teaching your kids the same dry, disconnected list of historical events without helping them connect to the real people behind it? Have you wondered how to raise kids who feel genuine pride in their country instead of confusion over conflicting narratives? And if you're anything like me, have you caught yourself thinking "I didn't know that" more times than you'd like to admit when it comes to our own American history? In today's episode, I sit down with Janie Nitze — co-author with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch of the new children's picture book Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence. We talk about the ordinary men, women, and even children who risked everything for the cause of independence, why the illustrations and storytelling in this book read like a true living book, and how the sacrifices of the founding generation can inspire courage in our own kids today. As we celebrate America's 250th, I think you'll walk away from this conversation with a renewed sense of gratitude and a wonderful resource to share history with your kiddos. Connect with Janie: Book: Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze, illustrated by Chris EllisonAvailable at your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon (audio version also available)Also by Janie Nitze and Justice Neil Gorsuch: Overruled and A Republic, If You Can Keep It While you're here, please leave a quick rating or review! I pray this episode blesses you! Remember, you don't just have to survive mama- you can thrive! Connect with the host: Elyse Scheeler Subscribe: Speaking Life Into MotherhoodWebsite: www.speakinglife.co/motherhoodEmail: hello@speakinglife.coFacebook Group: Christian Special Needs Moms: Simple Systems, Energy & Natural SupportEmail Newsletter: https://speakinglife.co/subscribe/Foundational Wellness Bundle + Freebies! https://link.doterra.com/VfA_h5 Clarity Coaching: https://www.speakinglife.co/clarityDisclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Speaking Life Into Motherhood. None of the advice or discussion on the podcast is medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider before using any supplements, essential oils, or therapy methods.

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**Top 3% Globally Ranked Podcast!** Are you a Christian mom exhausted from  navigating a tough season with your child? Are you worried your child is not developing normally, but have been told to "wait and see"?  Has your child already been identified as having additional needs? I'm Elyse, Speech Language Pathologist, Special Needs and Homeschool Strategy Coach, Family Advocate and a mom who has walked this journey. After being dismissed by providers about my own son's needs, I had to learn how to advocate fiercely—and I discovered how often exhausted moms like us are told to just "wait and see" when we know something more is needed. That's why I created Speaking Life Into Motherhood. Each week, you'll gain the tools and confidence to advocate for your child whether you just have general concerns and are trying to be proactive, or your child has a speech delay, ADHD, autism, or developmental diagnosis, my goal is for you to feel supported and seen. You'll learn about typical development, alternative strategies that actually simplify your life (not complicate it), discover simple systems that create healthy rhythms for your neurodivergent family, and receive biblical truth that meets you right where you are in the trenches of motherhood. Whether you're navigating IEPs or trying to decide whether to homeschool your child- searching for alternatives to medication, or just trying to get through the day with energy left for yourself, this podcast equips you with what you need to make the best decisions for your child—and finally feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.

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