What does it really mean to parent with multiple sclerosis, and how do you talk to your children about something so unpredictable? In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Julie Stamm – MS advocate, author and mother – for an honest and uplifting conversation about raising a child while living with MS. Diagnosed in 2007, Julie turned her experience into advocacy, determined to be open with her son about her condition in ways that are truthful but age-appropriate. She shares how parenting reshaped her perspective on resilience, how listening to children can ease the guilt many parents carry, and why adapting as a family is a sign of strength, not failure. We explore storytelling as a tool for empowerment, the importance of peer support and community, and why the outlook for people newly diagnosed today is more hopeful than ever. Julie also reflects on her children’s book Some Days and her work to promote inclusion and diverse abilities through advocacy and education. This episode will resonate with anyone parenting with MS, considering starting a family, supporting a loved one with MS, or looking to turn lived experience into meaningful advocacy. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Julie’s bio. 00:00 Introduction and Julie’s diagnosis journey 01:23 Why honesty with children matters 02:26 Sharing your story and the power of lived experience 03:37 Parenting guilt, resilience and writing Some Days 04:42 How MS affects the whole family 06:40 Adjusting to change and adapting over time 08:39 Becoming an MS advocate and finding your niche 10:02 Gratitude, grief and staying hopeful 11:23 The importance of peer support and community 13:52 Research advances and hope for the future 14:58 Advice for newly diagnosed parents   Learn more at Julie’s website www.iamstamm.com Follow Julie on Instagram at @iamstamm New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.