Never meeting expectations means our kids with ADHD and/or autism feel like they never succeed. That is a heavy burden that can take a monumental toll on any individual. In this episode, I outline all the repercussions possible when a child feels like they never succeed and what you can do to keep the worst of the consequences from happening to your child.
Parents are expected to be authoritarian and parent through a system of crime and punishment. We're raised to believe this is what defines a "good parent." I argue that we need to flip this idea on its head — that crime and punishment parenting is actually making you a "bad parent." It does more harm than good for our kids, especially kids with ADHD and/or autism. There is a much, much better way to raise kids that will become happy, successful adults. Listen in and I'll explain why crime and pu...
"There needs to be a desire to go to college. Just sending somebody because that's what's expected is not going to be good for that student."
Our culture defines expectations of our parenting priorities. When we become parents, we latch onto those expectations and adopt them as our own. The problem is, those priorities were created for neurotypical kids and we are raising kids with differences. If our child is different, our parenting should be different too. That means that not everything that matters to our culture really matters for our special brand of parenthood. In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I outline what truly...
There's no disputing that — especially team sports — can be a difficult environment for individuals with ADHD to naturally succeed in. It's not just developmental delays and social differences with peers that can make it tough. Things like emotional sensitivity and dysregulation, poor working memory, anxiety, and lagging executive functioning skills can also make it hard to meet peer and coach expectations, because they are set or neurotypicals. However, this doesn't mean that kids with ADHD can...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm diving into stress management for parents of kids with ADHD and/or "high-functioning" autism. I used to think I'd have to change the characteristics of my life and family — like give away my kids — to reduce my stress. Turns out, I just didn't know what real stress management was and how to apply it to a life that is inherently more chaotic, demanding, and stressful. Thank goodness I finally discovered how I could manage my stress. It's made a m...
Parents can create an environment that empowers kids with ADHD and helps them thrive. It's about the relationships, perspectives, understanding, and compassion we have with our kids and how that affects behavior and grit.
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm filling you in on the upcoming FREE Parenting ADHD Summit. It's a free online conference with 28 experts on ADHD and parenting sharing a little of their wisdom with you to empower you to empower your child. In this podcast episode, I'm sharing clips from five of the sessions, including Dr. Edward Hallowell, Julie F. Skolnick MA, JD, Ross Greene, PhD, Jerome Schultz, PhD and Amanda Morin. There's valuable information just in these clips. Listen i...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with documentary filmmaker, Ana Joanes, about the journey to becoming the parent you want to be. We discuss how our childhood experiences shape the parent we become, how those experiences change our neurological physiology, parent stress, the importance of self-compassion and self-care, and the fact that you are not alone. This episode will help you parent with intention and purpose, rather than just trying to get through each day. "You'...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm tackling developmental age. ADHD is a development disorder. Very few people talk about it in that way but it's 100 percent a developmental disorder. Your child with ADHD is two to three years behind their same-age peers in a lot of ways. If you're child's functioning and skills are at a 7-year-old level, but he or she is actually 10, what is going to be more successful: expecting neurotypical 10-year-old behavior or 7-year old behavior? Your job...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with coaches Natalie Borrell and Alison Grant of Life Success for Teens. We discuss how to help kids with ADHD address and overcome challenges and obstacles. Learn how to help your kids build grit and resistance — the core aspects of being able to overcome challenges without falling apart or avoiding obstacles. "Sometimes it's easier to just give up." Resources in this Episode (Yes, some of these are affiliate links.)Articles/Topics/Podc...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm tackling a questions I get from parents all the time... how to stay calm when your child is having an outburst or a meltdown. There are a couple tricks that helped me gain control of how I stay calm and respond in these moments. I've shared both these fundamental pieces, as well the real transformational power remaining calm has for your child, for you, and for your entire family.
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with occupational therapist, Susan Schenk, about learning challenges. Susan shares her story of growing up and finding success with learning challenges. Then we dig into how to help our own kids who are struggling with learning disabilities through tools, strategies and technology. Listen in for inspiration from Susan's story as well as resources to help your challenged learner. "Tap into the part of the brain that goes on fire to tackle...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I have a very important message for you. You're not alone. You're not alone in this special brand of parenthood. There are millions of parents raising challenging kids. The fact that your parenthood is different isn't your fault, and you're not the only one with these challenges. You must find your tribe. Having a tribe around you who "gets it" is everything. Let me tell you why...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking IEPs and 504 Plans with former teacher and educational advocate, Amanda Morin. We're defining IEPs and 504 plans, and the differences between them. In addition, learn how to determine what services and accommodations your child may need in school, and how to go about securing them. We also answer questions like, should my child come to school meetings? And we're busting some myths around the rights of kids with special needs at school....
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, teacher and education advocate, Meg Flanagan, and I discuss taking a collaborative approach to working with teachers and advocating for your child at school. To achieve an effective working relationship with the school, parents need to approach teachers and school staff with the attitude of working together, as allies instead of adversaries. Sometimes it's tough to strike a balance between being a strong advocate for your child and seeming confronta...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I outline different behavior triggers that are common with ADHD and/or "high-functioning" autism. Within this list are developmentally lagging skills, but also differences in how a child's brain functions when they have ADHD. Recognizing these and other triggers in your child will help you improve behavior and reduce the instances of outbursts and meltdowns. This knowledge will also help you understand your child better and remain a calm parent....
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child, about cultivating emotional health, which creates happier children. Emotional balance is key, and it's more challenging for kids with ADHD and/or autism. Maureen outlines strategies to help your child recognize, work through constructively, and control their own emotions. "It's like an onion. There are many layers to emotional health. We must cultivate emotional health."...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm honored to have talked with Ana and Curt Warner about the challenges and isolation of raising kids with autism. They've shared their experiences raising twin boys with "low-functioning" autism in their new book, The Warner Boys: Our Family’s Story of Autism and Hope, and they've graciously shared a glimpse of their parenting experiences here with us. While your child may not have autism, the struggles and triumphs of this parenthood are much the...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking about how to finally stop battling with your child. Day in and day out, the challenging behaviors, the impulsivity, the seeming argumentativeness feel like we are battling with our kids. Sure, most of the triggers are symptoms of their ADHD and/or autism, but that doesn't make it any easier or any less painful to accept these battles. But, the thing is, you don't have to accept these battles — you can stop battling with your child. I'm n...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with licensed child therapist, Angela Pruess, about emotional intelligence. Building emotional intelligence skills is an important part of raising kids with ADHD, kids who are often dysregulated emotionally and struggle with interactions with others. We discuss emotional awareness, emotional regulation, and how emotional intelligence plays a role in relationships with others and social interactions. Listen in to learn how to assess your ...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I was inspired this week to talk to you about saying yes more often. As parents, we are programmed to say no automatically, but we need to find ways to say yes. Our kids already get messages that they “can’t” more than anything else, so they need more yeses, more positives in their day-to-day lives. There are other good reasons to start saying yes more often, too. When everything is no, kids stop asking. Saying no also limits discussion and building...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I was inspired this week to talk to you about the language you use to describe your child's behavior. I see parents day in and day out use language that sounds as though they're describing a character flaw. Language that sets a tone of "can't" and "won't," instead of describing things for what they really are — which is most often your child having a hard time, not giving you a hard time. Join me as I illustrate the differences and how to change you...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Sharon Saline about what your child with ADHD wishes you knew, in conjunction with the release of her new book. We're talking about how most kids feel like parents aren't hearing what they're saying, and vice versa. Dr. Saline offers many strategies to communicate better, for a more successful and joyful family life. "Stop. Take a 'time apart.' Think things over when everyone's a little calmer. Then you act."
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with divorce and family attorney, Morghan Leia Richardson, about how to navigate co-parenting a child with ADHD when the parents don't agree on ADHD treatment and parenting. There are ways to pre-plan for these parenting disagreements during the divorce process, as well as resources and recourse for resolution after. Court proceedings aren't the only option for resolution, and Morghan outlines a few better options. If you and your co-par...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm giving you a pep talk for parenting kids with special needs. Use this pep talk when you're feeling low, lacking confidence in your parenting, apprehensive about starting another day, or just having a bad day. If you're feeling yourself slip, use this pep talk as your reminder that you've got this!
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm sharing tips and strategies to help your child overcome social struggles and make and keep friends. ADHD makes social interactions challenging for kids for a variety of reasons. I outline the different reasons kids with ADHD struggle with friendships, offer strategies to help your child build social skills, and share how to create opportunities for social successes.
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Heather Chauvin about defining our job as a parent. Heather talks about her journey to discover her authentic role as a mom and how to parent in a way that serves the true goal and purpose of parenting — that serves her sons but also serves herself, too. Listen in to find out what is your real responsibility as a parent? Heather shares how to choose how you live, work, play and PARENT on your terms. "My son taught me how to take bac...
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with therapist, Kimberly Beaman, about the importance of therapy, how to find the right therapist for your child and your family, and the power of creative arts in the lives of kids with ADHD and other challenges. Listen in as Kim offers a wealth of resources and guidance on therapy for kids with ADHD.
