From Tarantulas to Parenting Challenges

In this episode, we welcome everyone and share how excited we are about the podcast's growth and the support from our listeners. We dive into some quirky news, starting with a bizarre festival in Colorado celebrating tarantula mating season, which one of us finds unsettling. We joke about how places with strange animal sightings, like Australia, are off our travel lists. The conversation takes a humorous turn as we imagine scenarios like finding raccoons or spiders overtaking a house, leading to exaggerated plans for immediate escape. Then, we shift gears to discuss a more personal, serious topic—raising our son, Ryker, who has ADHD, OCD, and anxiety, and might be on the autism spectrum. We talk candidly about the unique challenges we've faced since he was born, including his early birth and time in the NICU, which contributed to his sensitivity to noise and sleep struggles. Unlike our older son, Ryker struggled with milestones like crawling and walking and displayed specific preferences and phobias, such as his intense fear of ants and dogs. Our journey with Ryker has been filled with ups and downs, from his challenging behavior to managing his sleep and dietary needs. At times, it felt isolating and exhausting. We share about seeking help from pediatricians and specialists, who offered advice but limited solutions. These experiences shaped our perspective on parenting a child with special needs, inspiring us to share our story in hopes of connecting with others facing similar journeys.