71| Thriving as a Hard of Hearing Mom: Shannon Bonardy's Powerful Journey of Parenting and Advocacy

In this powerful conversation, Amy Grace talks with Shannon—a mom of two, advocate, and woman living with profound hearing loss—about her experience of motherhood, resilience, and community. Shannon shares what it was like to deliver a 30-week preemie just one week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down, and how she navigated those early months in total isolation as a first-time mom.

She reflects on how her hearing impairment impacts everything from safety at the grocery store to overstimulation at home, and the practical ways she involves her children in communicating and coping together. Shannon also shares her heart for advocacy, including her role in the grassroots movement Mother Forward, which fights for affordable childcare.

This episode is a reminder that we all parent with a unique set of circumstances—and that every mom deserves support, grace, and community.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Hearing loss adds layers of overstimulation and anxiety to motherhood that many don’t see.

• Kids are surprisingly adaptive and empathetic when parents involve them in understanding their needs.

• Premature birth and NICU parenting come with deep emotional challenges, especially during a global crisis.

• Advocacy can grow from personal struggle—Shannon uses her experience to raise awareness and fight for policy change through Mother Forward.

• Asking for help, building support, and finding what works for you is key in any motherhood journey.

💬 Key Quotes:

Shannon:

• “I’ve had to take my hearing aids out just to survive the noise level—some days it’s just too much.”

• “I was okay with not being a mom… until I met the person I wanted to build a family with.”

• “My daughter will wave her arms big so I can see her. My kids have learned how to connect with me in ways I never expected.”

• “Sometimes people assume what I need based on my hearing aids. The best thing you can do? Just ask.”

• “If moms are thriving, the whole world thrives.”

Amy Grace:

• “We do the best we can and figure out the rest—that’s the mantra of motherhood.”

• “You’re not just parenting little ones, you’re parenting through sensory overload, too. That’s real.”

• “One of my goals is to raise good humans—and I love how you’re already modeling that for your kids.”

• “Advocacy often starts in our own pain and turns into purpose.”

  🎯 Key Themes & Topics:

• Profound hearing loss and sensory overstimulation as a mom

• NICU and premature birth

• Becoming a first-time mom during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Adaptive parenting and communication with children

• Affordable childcare and women’s workforce participation

• Mother Forward: grassroots advocacy and systemic change

About Shannon Bonardy

Shannon is a mom of two young children, a passionate advocate, and a woman living with profound hearing loss. She became a mother in 2020 after delivering her daughter prematurely at 30 weeks—just one week before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Shannon now uses her voice to raise awareness about parenting with hearing impairments and fighting for affordable childcare through the grassroots advocacy group Mother Forward. Her honesty, resilience, and commitment to helping others make her a true everyday supermom.

• Shannon’s Instagram: ⁠@shanb_mamaSQD⁠

• Mother Forward: ⁠www.motherforward.org⁠

About Your Host:

Amy Grace is the heart behind Everyday Supermoms, a podcast that inspires and empowers mothers by sharing diverse stories of resilience and connection. As a licensed therapist, she supports moms through all stages of motherhood with transformative therapy intensives and signature courses like The Motherhood Mindset Reset and Create Your Own Motherhood. A mom of six, Amy draws from her own journey—from single parenting to blended families—to create a community where mothers can embrace their unique paths with confidence and grace.

🧠 Grab your FREE Embracing Your Inner Supermom Workbook: www.everydaysupermoms.com
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