Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Parenting is often lived in the extremes. It's either Great Joy or chaotic overwhelmed. In one moment you’re nailing it and the next you're losing your cool I want to help you find your way to the messy middle, to a place of balance. You see, balance is a verb not a state of being. it is a thing you do not a thing you are. it is an action a process a series of micro-corrections each and every day to keep ourselves feeling centered. We are never truly balanced. We are engaged in the process of balancing.

Hello, I’m Dr. Laura Froyen and this is the Balanced Parent podcast, where overwhelmed stressed out and disconnected parents go to find tools, mindset shifts and practices to help them stop yelling at the people they love and start connecting on a deeper level, all delivered with heaping doses of grace and compassion. Join me in conversations that will help you get clear on your goals and values and start showing up in your parenting, your relationships, YOUR LIFE, with open-hearted authenticity and balance. Let’s go!

If you’ve ever sat in an IEP meeting feeling confused, overwhelmed, or unsure what just happened—then you should know that A.) you’re not alone and B.) this episode is for you!

I am joined by special education expert Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the “Special Education Boss,” to break down the IEP process in a way that actually makes sense for parents and caregivers.

Here are the main points:

Understanding the IEP process and improving parent-school collaboration for children
The difference between IEP and 504 plans and the importance of evaluation
How school special education testing works and why early evaluation matters
Why academically successful students may still need IEP supports
Understanding the differences between accommodations, modifications, and special education services
Differences in special education support across homeschool, private, and public schools

Resources:

The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates Navigating the Special Education Process

You can connect with Karen Mayer Cunningham at www.SpecialEducationAcademy.com and on YouTube (Special Education Academy), TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram (@SpecialEducationBoss).

Remember, you don’t need to understand everything at once—what matters is learning how the IEP process works and showing up as an informed advocate for your child.

Laura Froyen, PhD

Laura Froyen, PhD

Balanced Parent Podcast

Laura Froyen, PhD

Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Episode 256: Navigating the IEP Process: Expert Tips to Help Parents Advocate with Confidence with Karen Mayer Cunningham