rich 1.0 As moms, it's so easy to compare our children to everyone else's. We wonder why one child seems to thrive in situations where another struggles. We ask ourselves if we're doing something wrong or if we'd somehow be a better parent if our child were different. But what if God intentionally gave you the child you have? In this episode, I'm talking about what it looks like to parent the child God created instead of the child we expected. Everyone has a unique personality, unique strengths, unique struggles, and a unique purpose. Our job isn't to force them into a mold, it’s to become students of who God made them to be. I share an episode with Sally Clarkson and her son Nathan about how our parenting often changes when we begin looking beyond behavior and start asking what our children truly need. Sometimes what looks like defiance is anxiety. Sometimes what looks like impulsiveness may be part of how God uniquely wired them. As parents, we have the opportunity to respond with curiosity, compassion, and wisdom instead of frustration. We'll also discuss the reality of raising children with ADHD, OCD, sensory challenges, autism, or other forms of neurodivergence. Receiving a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't define your child. It simply gives you a better map for understanding how they experience the world. God isn't surprised by your child's wiring, and He certainly isn't limited by it. Remember, God didn't make a mistake when He gave your child to you. He chose you to be their mom for a reason, and He promises to give you the wisdom and grace you need for every step of the journey. Connect with Sally Clarkson: Website: SallyClarkson.com (https://sallyclarkson.com/) Instagram: Sally Clarkson (@sally.clarkson) (https://www.instagram.com/sally.clarkson) Facebook: Sally Clarkson (https://www.facebook.com/therealsallyclarkson/) Links Mentioned: Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen (https://amzn.to/4pIgZrc) Different: By Sally and Nathan Clarkson (https://amzn.to/4wixZps) Related Episodes: Loving Your “Different” Child :: Sally and Nathan Clarkson [Ep 149] (https://heathermacfadyen.com/2017/01/23/loving-your-different-child-sally-nathan-clarkson-ep-149/) Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515] (https://heathermacfadyen.com/2025/03/24/mothering-autism-navigating-grief-marriage-and-community-carrie-cariello-kate-swenson-and-adrian-wood-ep-515/) Featured Sponsors: Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to http://hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at http://honeylove.com/DMA . Experience the new standard in comfort and support with Honeylove. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com (http://branchbasics.com) with our code [DMA]. The Premium Starter Kit comes with The Concentrate, and refillable bottles for your surface cleaners, including All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Hand Wash, and Laundry. It also comes with Oxygen Boost for extra stubborn stains on pots and pans, laundry, bathroom tile and more. This kit is a great way to kickstart your human-safe cleaning routine Don't Mom Alone Podcast https://audioboom.com/channels/5073514-don-t-mom-alone-podcast Audioboom https://audioboom.com 480 95 https://audioboom.com/i/39842989/600x600/c 600 600 <iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8937750/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>