The Parenting Epilepsy and Special Needs Podcast with Erica Hauser

Erica Hauser
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  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

As a mother and caregiver of a child with a complex medical background and special needs that all started as a result of epilepsy, I felt a calling to create a podcast that tells the story of our journey. That talks about moments of strength, the ups and downs and the lessons that we have learned along the way. Myself and my family have become stronger and are better humans because of what we've gone through. So come along with me, listen, learn and become apart of a community of parents, caregivers and families who understands what it's like to walk a day in your shoes.

  1. 6D AGO

    It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect, It Just Needs to Get Done!

    It doesn’t have to be perfect or hours long—it just matters that you do it. In this episode, I share a realistic approach to exercise for busy moms, especially those caring for children with epilepsy and special needs. From short workouts at home to walking,  strength training, Pilates, and YouTube classes, I talk about how 10–30 minutes of movement can make a powerful difference in your physical and mental health. I also open up about my personal selfcare and fitness journey as I navigated major medical decisions for our child with special needs, caregiving, chronic stress, and life changes—and how letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset helped me finally stay consistent. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck thinking you don’t have enough time to work out, this episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than perfection. Small movement still counts—and taking care of yourself is worth it. Connect with me: If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information! You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    16 min

  2. FEB 4

    The 3 Items That I Must Pack When Doing an Inpatient EEG Stay

    It can be overwhelming when your child is scheduled for a multi-day inpatient EEG hospital stay, what do you pack, what will they need and what will you need for YOU? Over the years Erica and her daughter have had many inpatient 5 day or more EEG stays and we learned what personal items were important to have with us to make the stay more comfortable.  Need a little extra help packing? In today’s episode Erica Hauser will list off three items that you may not think of packing for your next EEG stay, but will be glad you did! She will also go over additional helpful personal items that kept her and her daughter comfortable during the inpatient EEG stay.  Connect with me: If this episode was resourceful, please share it with another parent who might benefit from hearing this information! You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    11 min

  3. JAN 28

    We Did It! Purple Blanket for The WIN! 

    If you are a mom of a child with epilepsy and special needs, you may be able to relate to the constant sleep disruptions that occur each night. In this episode Erica will share the solutions that her and her husband tried over the past years and what product FINALLY worked to help their daughter sleep through the night in her own bed!  Erica also mentions the sleep monitoring system that she uses that not only records the seizure, but also alerts her if her daughter has a seizure while she is asleep.  This episode will leave you feeling hopeful that there are options out there and it’s just a matter of trial and error and finding the right tool to help your child (and YOU) get the rest that you need.  Episode Resources: Weighted Blanket (from Amazon): yescool Weighted Blanket Click the link below to learn more or purchase. https://a.co/d/ixsPB34 SAMi - Sleep Activity Movement and Seizure Monitor Click the link below learn more or purchase. https://www.samialert.com/ Connect with me: If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone. You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    17 min

  4. JAN 21

    What You Tell Yourself Matters: A look at Self-Talk

    If you are a mom of a child with epilepsy and special needs, chances are the hardest conversations you have aren’t out loud—they’re the ones happening quietly inside your own mind. In this episode, we’re talking about self-talk: the internal thoughts that shape how we see ourselves, how we parent, and how we survive the hard days. This isn’t about positive thinking or fixing your mindset. It’s about learning to notice your thoughts with compassion—and offering yourself the same grace you so freely give your child. Together, we’ll explore why these thoughts form, how survival mode influences the way we speak to ourselves, and how gentle awareness can become a powerful act of self-support. This episode is a reminder that your inner voice deserves kindness too—and that you are doing better than your thoughts are telling you. Connect with me: If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone. You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    12 min

  5. JAN 14

    The Quiet Identity Shift

    There’s a quiet fear many parents carry after years of care giving for a child with complex epilepsy or special needs—the fear that somewhere along the way, they lost themselves. In this episode, we’re talking about the identity shift that happens when life changes you in ways you never expected. Not in a dramatic, overnight way—but in the slow, subtle ways that leave you wondering, “Who am I now?” This conversation isn’t about going back to who you were or trying to “find yourself again.” It’s about recognizing that you’re still here—and that becoming someone new doesn’t mean losing who you are. You became someone new because of what you had to survive and that is powerful growth.  If you’ve felt changed by this journey… If caregiving has reshaped your priorities, energy, or sense of self… This episode is for you. In This Episode We Explore: Why identity doesn’t disappear—it adapts The difference between losing yourself and evolving through survival How diagnosis can quietly reshape who you are Living in the space between who you were and who you’re becoming Why you don’t need clarity, confidence, or a plan to be “okay” Giving yourself permission to keep becoming without guilt A Reminder that You May Need to Hear Today: You didn’t lose yourself. You changed in response to something hard. And you are allowed to continue growing—at your own pace, in your own way. There is no deadline on becoming. There is no right version of you to arrive at. You are still you—even here. Connect with me: If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone. You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    15 min

  6. JAN 7

    My Word for the Year When Life Is Unpredictable

    What if this year didn’t ask you to do more—but instead asked you to be gentler with yourself? In this episode, I’m sharing my Word of the Year: Grace. For moms parenting children with epilepsy and special needs, life rarely follows a plan. Grace allows us to stay focused on what matters while remaining flexible when the unexpected arrives. By the end of this episode I want you to feel free from setting resolutions and instead find 1 word that has meaning to you and that can help lead you to be the best mom you can be in 2026! Connect with me: If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone. You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    15 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    This Year Didn’t Break Me—It Revealed Me

    As the year comes to a close, it can feel like there’s pressure to look back and point to wins, milestones, and moments worth celebrating. But what if this year had challenges or unexpected obstacles?  In this episode, I’m sharing a gentle reflection on what this year truly revealed—not through big achievements, but through the quiet strength that it took to get through the really difficult moments that 2025 gave us. The kind of strength that shows up in exhaustion, uncertainty, and moments where survival itself was the victory. If you’re a parent navigating epilepsy and special needs and this year felt heavy, messy, or simply hard… this episode is for you. This episode will close out 2025 by reminding you that you don’t need proof to justify how hard this year was. If all you did was survive, that mattered. That counts. That is enough. Take a breath. You made it here and I am so proud of you!

    23 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Giving Yourself Grace on the Hard Days

    Some days hit harder than others—and often without warning. In today’s episode, I’m opening up and getting real about the overwhelming emotions, anxiety, and heaviness that can creep in, even when you consider yourself a strong person who’s been through a lot. As parents of children with epilepsy and special needs, we carry so much every single day. Sometimes it all shows up at once. I share a recent moment that caught me completely off guard—a phone call from my daughter’s school that changed the tone of an otherwise quiet December day. While my daughter was ultimately okay, the emotions that followed felt heavier than usual. The familiar questions, the sadness, and the unfairness of it all rushed in, reminding me that strength doesn’t mean we don’t feel—it means we learn how to move through it. In this episode, we talk about: Acknowledging unexpected emotions when they show up Allowing yourself to feel without staying stuck Why it’s okay to have hard days—even when you’ve handled so much before The importance of reaching out to a therapist, friend, or family member Finding comfort, connection, and resilience through our children I also reflect on how my daughter continues to teach me the true meaning of resilience and why giving ourselves grace isn’t weakness—it’s necessary. If you’re in a season where you feel exhausted, emotional, or overwhelmed, this episode is for you. You are not alone in this journey. Connect with me: If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with another parent who might need a reminder that they’re not alone. You can connect with Erica on Instagram @parentingepilepsy_specialneeds and be part of a community that understands the ups and downs of the special needs & epilepsy parenting journey.

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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About

As a mother and caregiver of a child with a complex medical background and special needs that all started as a result of epilepsy, I felt a calling to create a podcast that tells the story of our journey. That talks about moments of strength, the ups and downs and the lessons that we have learned along the way. Myself and my family have become stronger and are better humans because of what we've gone through. So come along with me, listen, learn and become apart of a community of parents, caregivers and families who understands what it's like to walk a day in your shoes.

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