Unmasking Mum

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, host Ana Bonasera explores the concept of black and white thinking, particularly in the context of ADHD and parenting. She discusses the challenges of shifting from negative to positive self-perceptions and introduces the idea of a 'grey area' as a more balanced perspective. Through relatable examples, Ana emphasises the importance of self-reflection, emot...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, Ana Bonasera discusses the challenges of maintaining routines, particularly for those with ADHD. She shares her personal experiences with routines, emotional dysregulation, and the importance of understanding one's own brain. Ana emphasises the need for practical strategies to create effective routines, especially in the context of parenting and managing daily...

In this episode Ana Bonasera discusses the importance of reasonable adjustments for children with ADHD and other special educational needs. She highlights the recent pause in the ADHD pathway in Oxfordshire and emphasizes that support can be provided even without a formal diagnosis. The conversation covers various adjustments schools can implement to support learning, sensory needs, emotional regu...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, host Ana Bonasera shares her personal journey navigating ADHD and autism within her family. With five children, four of whom are neurodivergent, Ana discusses the challenges and insights gained from her experiences, including the Right to Choose pathway for assessments and the importance of understanding neurodivergence. She emphasises the need for support and the...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, Ana Bonasera shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and reconnecting with her spirituality. She discusses the importance of gratitude, the concept of the 'bare minimum effect' and how lowering expectations has helped her navigate challenging times. Ana emphasises the significance of community support, self-care and enjoyable movement, while also...

In this heartfelt episode of "Unmasking Mum," Ana Bonasera opens up about her struggles with burnout and the overwhelming challenges of motherhood. She candidly shares her feelings of exhaustion, the pressure to meet everyone's needs, and the emotional toll of balancing family responsibilities. Ana reflects on her personal experiences, including the impact of her father's passing...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, host Ana Bonasera shares her personal experiences and practical hacks for managing ADHD as a parent. She emphasises the importance of finding systems that work for neurodivergent brains and provides 10 actionable strategies that have made a significant difference in her daily life. From organising household items to managing schedules and expectations, Ana offers...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum, Ana Bonasera discusses the challenges faced by ADHD parents during the back to school transition, the emotional toll of the holiday season and the importance of setting boundaries and lowering expectations for the new year. She emphasises the need for emotional regulation and self-care, encouraging listeners to take it slow and celebrate small wins. Takeaways The...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum , I share my own journey of realising I’m ADHD and gently walk through five of the most common traits we see in ADHD mothers: emotional dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, time blindness, sensory overload and forgetfulness. I explain how these traits show up in everyday mum life, from feeling overwhelmed and emotionally reactive, to struggling with tim...

In this episode of Unmasking Mum , I’m joined by Holly Matthews for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about ADHD, neurodivergence and the ongoing journey of unmasking who we really are. We talk about what it’s like to grow up not knowing why you feel different and how late understanding of ADHD can bring both clarity and grief. Together, we explore how grief can reshape you, how embra...

In this episode, I discuss the three different pathways to getting a diagnosis and speak directly to anyone who has ever felt dismissed, unheard or made to doubt themselves when seeking support from healthcare professionals. I talk about the importance of trusting yourself, advocating for your needs, and remembering that you have every right to ask questions, seek answers and pursue a diagnosis. W...

In this episode, I open up about the real-life struggle so many of us ADHD mums face, being full of creativity, passion and purpose… but not always having the executive functioning skills to actually finish the projects we’re excited about. I talk about my own journey of searching for kinder, more sustainable strategies to help me move from “big idea energy” to completion, without burning out or b...