When Motherhood Breaks You and Builds You: Tiff Carson’s Hard, Beautiful Journey Through IVF and Parenting Neurodivergent Kids

The Journey No One Prepares You For

When we talk about motherhood, we often focus on the joy, the milestones, and the magic. But for many, the road to becoming a parent is paved with pain, loss, and loneliness. In a recent episode of Quiet Connection, host Chelsea Myers sits down with Tiff Carson—host of Hard Beautiful Journey—for an unfiltered look at infertility, birth trauma, postpartum mental health, and the messy, beautiful truth of parenting neurodivergent kids.

“There were days I didn’t like my kids. That’s the honest truth.” — Tiff Carson

Tiff’s story is one of resilience. After multiple failed embryo transfers, she finally gave birth to her daughter through IVF, followed later by twin boys—also IVF babies—born after years of uncertainty and heartache. But pregnancy wasn’t the end of her challenges; it was the beginning of a new, even more complex chapter.

IVF, Loss, and the Grief of Expectations

Tiff and her husband faced an emotional rollercoaster through IVF, navigating miscarriages, failed transfers, and the physical and emotional toll of fertility treatments. The hardest blow came when their final embryo—what she called a “rock star embryo”—didn’t survive the thaw.

“I don’t think I got out of bed for a week. That was it. I thought it was over.”

And yet, despite the grief, she kept going—because she had to. Because love, even bruised and exhausted, is stubborn.

A gloved hand is holding a petri dish, capturing the scientific and emotional ride of IVF and IUI.

For those navigating infertility, support is critical. Tiff encourages seeking out others who understand the two-week wait, the gut punches of loss, and the bittersweet joy of finally getting a positive test.

Birth Trauma and Postpartum Disconnect

Tiff’s journey into postpartum was marked by trauma. After her daughter’s birth, she developed severe mastitis, needed a D&C, and was hospitalized for days—missing that crucial bonding window. When her twin boys were born, she hemorrhaged and suffered nerve damage that left her disconnected and physically depleted.

“Again, I was in the hospital. Again, I missed the early days. Again, I couldn’t connect.”

These traumatic experiences left her emotionally vulnerable and isolated, reinforcing the need for trauma-informed postpartum care and accessible mental health support like Postpartum Support International.

Parenting Neurodivergent Kids in a Neurotypical World

Years later, all three of Tiff’s children were diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). The result? Parenting became an emotional minefield.

“I went into the closet and hid behind my clothes just to get away. I felt like I snapped.”

This moment became her crossroads—choose despair or seek help. With support from her therapist and family, she chose the latter.

“My therapist told me, ‘You know you’re supposed to do something with this pain, right?’”

That “something” became Hard Beautiful Journey, a podcast where Tiff now shares stories that help others feel seen. And she’s not alone—more and more parents are turning to podcasts like Unruffled by Janet Lansbury and Tilt Parenting to understand how to raise neurodivergent kids with compassion.

Embarking on a healing journey, she started her podcast to share and process her fertility parenting story.

The Power of Community, Connection, and Vulnerability

One of the central themes of this conversation, and of Tiff’s journey, is community. Though she didn’t always feel like she had one, she’s now created the kind of space she once needed. Her podcast, her honesty, and her willingness to share the ugliest moments of motherhood have created ripple effects of healing for others.

“Every time I tell my story, I heal a little more. These are my salve tears.”

Whether you're dealing with fertility issues, navigating diagnoses, or barely surviving the exhaustion of parenthood, Tiff’s story is a reminder that you are not alone, and healing is possible—even when it seems out of reach.

Final Thoughts: It's Okay If It Sucks Sometimes

The world tells us to be grateful. And we are. But gratitude doesn’t erase the hardship. Tiff and Chelsea remind us that we can love our children fiercely and still admit that motherhood can suck hard.

If you're dealing with fertility issues, postpartum challenges, or raising neurodivergent children, this episode is for you. Listen, share, cry, and exhale.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Quiet Connection on BuzzSprout!

 Connect with Tiff at TiffCarson.com and follow her on Instagram @hardbeautifuljourney.