I'm Not Okay Today | The Hard Truth About Being a special needs mom:

I'm not okay today — and I decided to hit record anyway.

This is not a motivational video. This is real life as a medical autism mom raising my son Bentley here in Cincinnati. The burnout is real, the tears are real, and if you are a special needs mom who has cried in your bedroom today, this is for you.

I started It Is Bentley's World Podcast because I felt alone — and I know a lot of moms feel the same. So if you need to hear that you're not a bad mom for feeling tired, overwhelmed, and not okay — listen to this.

💛 IN THIS VIDEO:

00:00 - Why I'm posting this raw video

01:30 - What broke me today

03:45 - What no one tells you about special needs parenting

06:00 - To the mom who needs this

If this helped you, please subscribe — I'm trying to build a village of 1,000 moms who get it, and I want you in it:

https://www.youtube.com/@ItIsBentley.sWorld

🎙️ PODCAST: It Is Bentley's World Podcast on Spotify + Apple Podcasts

📸 INSTAGRAM: @it.is.bentleys.world

📩 EMAIL: Indiacgriffin@gmail.com

#autismmom #specialneedsmom #medicalmom #autismmomlife #momBurnout #specialneedsparent #autismfamily #itIsBentleysWorld #mentalhealthmom #realmomtalk #autismpodcast

A school bus no-show turned into a police call, a late pickup, and a hard no on the school trying to strip away support services. If you’re a parent navigating IEPs, transportation issues, or school policies that don’t make sense, this candid update will hit home fast.

It Is Bentleys World gets real about what happened on the first day of school, from a bus that never arrived to a child getting home four hours late with no straight answers. Then the conversation turns to the bigger issue: a school pushing to remove bus services and change an IEP plan even though the safety concerns are obvious.

You'll hear:

- Why the first day of school spiraled into a major transportation problem

- How a GPS tracker and police involvement came into play

- What the school is trying to change about bus access and school supports

- Why the new attendance policy feels punishing for families dealing with illness

- What’s next at the upcoming IEP meeting and why this matters for safety

This episode also shares a quick life update, a milestone on the podcast's social channels, and plans to return with more consistent weekly episodes. But the heart of it is a familiar struggle for many families: trying to make schools listen when your child’s needs are not negotiable.

Essential listening if you’ve ever had to advocate hard for your child, fight for basic accommodations, or deal with school decisions that seem disconnected from reality. Stay tuned for the next update and the upcoming TikTok and YouTube coverage from the IEP meeting.

The one thing most people overlook when trying to rebuild their life after trauma—and why missing it costs you everything. If you're navigating grief, chaos, or personal setbacks, this episode will challenge your perspective and show you how to turn adversity into strength.

After nearly a year away from podcasting, I share my raw journey through heartbreak, loss, and the chaos of protecting my child while fighting through personal trauma. From a devastating house fire and a violent custody battle to battling mental health and pursuing a hard-earned associate's degree, I reveal the relentless resilience needed to keep going when everything around you collapses. You’ll hear the unfiltered truth about the sacrifices, the frustrations, and the small victories that keep hope alive.

We break down:

- How to navigate complex custody disputes fueled by emotional manipulation and past trauma

- The mental toll of surviving a house fire, legal battles, and a child’s health crises

- Simple but powerful mindset shifts that helped me keep moving forward when life felt impossible

- Realistic strategies for managing mental health while juggling responsibilities as a single parent

- Why pursuing education and self-growth can be your path back from even the darkest moments

This episode isn’t just a story—it’s a blueprint for anyone feeling overwhelmed and ready to reclaim their life against all odds. The stakes are high: staying stuck means missing out on healing, growth, and the chance to build a better future—for you and your loved ones. Whether you're facing personal trauma or supporting someone who is, this episode offers vital insights and a reminder that even in chaos, resilience can prevail.

If you need motivation, practical tools, or just someone who gets it, this episode is perfect for you. It’s a brutally honest, inspiring journey that might just change the way you see your struggles.

In this episode, we delve into the challenges of being a first-time parent, including my own struggles with anxiety and depression, the experience of navigating a child protective service case, and emerging victorious, while still managing anxiety and depression years later. For our listeners on Apple Podcasts, we encourage you to rate, review, and subscribe to our show. Additionally, the full episode is available for viewing on our YouTube page.

Hello and welcome to our podcast, I'm your host, India. On this show, we'll be diving into the tough stuff – autism, mental health, and other challenges that can be difficult to talk about. We'll have real conversations, sharing our experiences, and exploring ways to navigate these complex issues.

*What to Expect*

- Honest discussions about autism, mental health, and more

- Personal stories from guests and experts

- Tips and strategies for coping with challenges

- A safe space for open and honest conversation

*Let's Get Started*

I'm excited to share my own experiences and hear from our guests. Let's get real, let's get honest, and let's support each other through these conversations.

*Let's Dive In*