This Is Not What I Was Expecting cover art

This Is Not What I Was Expecting

This Is Not What I Was Expecting

Written by: Parent Alliance
Listen for free

About this listen

As moms who have watched our children struggle with their behavior or mental health, we remember so often feeling alone. If you’ve ever felt the same way—you’ve come to the right place! We are the people who get it. We know that parenting is not what you expected and may be a very different experience than your family and friends are having. Every other week our group of moms gather to share our stories, tips, and insights on managing the unique challenges that come with parenting our kiddos. From navigating insurance hurdles and waitlists to dealing with school issues and beyond, we cover it all. We laugh together, get angry at the system together, and most importantly, we support each other. If you're ever feeling like no one understand what you're going through, throw our podcast on. You belong here, and we can’t wait for you to join us! New episodes drop every other Thursdays.2025-2026 This is Not what I was expecting! A podcast of the PA Parent and Family Alliance a statewide program of Allegheny Family Network Parenting Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • What If Your Kids Don't Remember The Things You Feel Guilty About?
    Apr 23 2026

    If you’ve ever fed your kids fast food in the car, missed something important, or gone to bed feeling like you didn’t do enough… this episode is for you.

    We’re talking about mom guilt—the kind that shows up in the middle of busy schedules, expensive groceries, picky eaters, and trying to be everywhere at once. The kind that makes you question if you’re getting it all wrong.

    But what if the things you feel guilty about… aren’t the things your kids will remember?

    This is an honest conversation about parenting in survival mode, asking for help, letting go of impossible standards, and realizing that your kids might be holding onto the laughter—not the stress.

    You’re not alone in this. And you might be doing better than you think.

    For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help

    Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donation

    To access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresources

    To be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Pride, Pressure, and ‘What’s Next?’ After Graduation (The Part No One Talks About)
    Apr 9 2026

    This week we discuss:

    • What parents wish they had done earlier in high school
    • Transition planning and graduation pathways
    • Supports like OVR and how to access them
    • The emotional shift when your child turns 18
    • Social challenges and independence after graduation
    • Handling the “what’s next?” question
    • Advice for parents entering this stage

    For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help

    Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donation

    To access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresources

    To be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • The High Cost of Being a Good Parent Right Now
    Mar 26 2026

    Everything feels more expensive right now, and parents are the ones carrying the stress of trying to make it all work. Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Housing costs more. Even the little things add up fast.

    And when you’re raising kids, especially kids who need extra support, that pressure does not stay on the budget spreadsheet. It shows up in the guilt, the exhaustion, the second-guessing, and the constant feeling that no matter how hard you work, it is still not enough.

    Today's conversation is for parents who are doing the math, cutting back, feeling stretched, and wondering why it still feels so hard. You are not failing. It really is that expensive right now.

    For one on one support at no cost to parents of children with behavior and mental health challenges in PA visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/one-on-one-help

    Find out more about the PA Parent and Family Alliance and how you can support our work at https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/donation

    To access any tip sheets and booklets we talk about visit: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/helpfulresources

    To be the first to know about our events, read stories of success from families raising children with mental health challenges and more sign up to join the Parent Alliance community: https://www.paparentandfamilyalliance.org/join-the-community

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
No reviews yet