Beautifully Complex

School struggles are one of the leading causes of parent and child stress in families with kids with ADHD. In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I share some red flags that your child may need extra help and support in the classroom, outline the steps parents should follow to request services and accommodations at school, and explain the basic differences between a 504 Plan and an IEP. *...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with behavior analyst, Holly Moses, about why looking at behavior as "bad" isn't the best parenting approach for kids with ADHD. Often, the gap between expectation and capability leads to unwanted ("bad") behavior. Listen in to learn effective strategies to elicit appropriate behavior, and to effectively address unwanted behavior. Holly an...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Julie Neale about our Mother's Quest, discovering your passion, living with purpose and intention, and surviving and thriving when raising kids with ADHD. Julie is sensitive to the constraints of this special parenthood, having two differently-wired boys of her own. Listen to learn how to slow things down, take a pause, and move forwa...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Frank South about his life with ADHD and raising his two kids with ADHD. Frank has had an intense, fascinating, challenging life with ADHD, which makes for an intense, fascinating, challenging parenthood raising kids with ADHD. He's compiled his family stories in a new book called, A Chicken in the Wind and How He Grew. Learn more abo...

There's little that instills more fear in parents than the idea of giving their child ADHD medication. That fear is built on a foundation of largely myths and fear-mongering, but it exists nonetheless. In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm sharing the basics of ADHD medication, as well as nuances and little-known facts I've learned over the years. This is the information I desperately...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School, about how imperative it is to think outside the box when raising kids with ADHD. And Dr. Olivardia should know, he has ADHD himself and employs some very creative strategies to manage his own challenges. His insights and experience will inspire your parenting. Bec...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm tackling the misnomer of helicopter parenting. We think hovering over our kids is protecting them, and loving them, but it actually does more harm than good. By hovering over our kids and overprotecting them, we are robbing them of building lagging skills, successful future independence, and the joy of doing something on your own for the first tim...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Jeff Copper of DIG Coaching, about teens with ADHD and the reality of motivation. I hear parents complain about their teen with ADHD and their lack of motivation very frequently. I am living this struggle myself right now, with my own teen son with ADHD. What Jeff and I talk about is why kids with ADHD lack motivation — for things lik...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking about why traditional parenting norms don't work for kids with ADHD, and how to create a parenthood that works for your kid. Here are the steps I talk about in detail in this episode: Destroy traditional parenting ideals and norms. Cast them out of your mind. They don’t work for ADHD. How to be a detective and learn your child’s truth. Use...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Randy Kulman, of Learning Works for Kids, about screen time and gaming. We focus our discussion on the benefits of gaming and technology, including a list of games that are good for your child. Yep, I said good for your child. Listen now to find out what skills can be improved, and by which games. And, recognize that screen time i...

In this episode of the podcast, I was inspired by the celebration of a new year (so hard to believe it's 2018!). I don't like to make New Year's Resolutions, because I associate those with deprivation. However, I love to set an inspirational word for the new year and think of it as a sort-of clean slate and opportunity for improvement. In this show, I challenge you to implement 5 key opportunities...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster of ImpactADHD about maintaining healthy family relationships in a family with a child with ADHD. We define what a healthy relationship is, how to repair broken relationships, and how to maintain healthy relationships between spouses/partners, siblings, and with yourself. How do you get on the sam...

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss your thoughts, and how they hold the key to everything. Being mindful of the emotions and thoughts you attach to a situation, and changing them to serve you and your family better. It's not easy to do, but let's talk about taking more control of your thoughts, and how powerful that will be in your life. Positive thinking leads to positive parenting, and po...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with occupational and physical therapist, Suzanne Cresswell. Often, kids with ADHD are told to "try harder," especially in school. Suzanne explains the physiology behind how the brain works in an individual with ADHD and challenged learners, which further explains why telling a child with ADHD to "try harder" can't help. This was a truly f...

This episode of the podcast is inspired by my new book, The Hidden Layers of ADHD: The Underlying Complexities of ADHD, and Their Powerful Affect on Your Parenting Success. I'm so excited to share with you why you should look at ADHD like an iceberg, what that means for your parenting, and all the hidden layers of ADHD you need to understand in order to do your best for your child. Listen in as I...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, Debbie Reber and I discuss shifting your mindset and tilting your parenting to become the best parent you can be for your differently wired child. Debbie, founder of Tilt Parenting, is passionate about changing the conversation on neurodiversity and differently wired kids from one of being "broken," to being different but having many gifts to share. L...

I had a very emotional conversation with a coaching client this week, and it inspired me to talk to you about making mistakes as parents, forgiving ourselves, having a healthy conversation with ourselves about it, and living in a place of self-compassion. Mom guilt doesn't serve you, and it doesn't serve your child or your family either. Be authentic and be human, but forgive yourself for the thin...

You have to get your mind right in order to be an effective parent to a child with ADHD. One of the facets of getting your mind right for this special parenthood is to throw out the traditional parenting rulebooks and norms, and rewrite a custom parenting rulebook for your child, where they are today. For your child, and your entire family. In this podcast, I explain what I mean by writing your ow...

Danielle Matthew has devoted her work to helping kids through the emotional, and often damaging, experience of being bullied. In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, Danielle and I talk about one-on-one support, guidance and education to empower children and teens to heal from bullying, address conflict, and move forward. Listen and learn what you can do to help your child if/when they are...

I've been reading Ross Greene's newest book, Raising Human Beings, and I am so inspired to share how his insights and approach to parenting challenging kids can be a powerful force in your parenting. Of course, I've been a fan of Greene's work for years, and I recommend his books to parents constantly. What you have to understand first, before you can implement his collaborative problem solving pr...

I'm so excited to have Ben Glenn (aka, The Chalkguy) on this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast. He is a remarkable human being and offers great insights to parents raising kids with ADHD and/or learning disabilities, because he was that kid. Ben begins by sharing his story of growing up with learning disabilities and ADHD, unhappy in a self-contained classroom for many years. Then, with the he...

On this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I talk with Sarah Wayland, PhD, a Consultant and Special Needs Care Navigator, of Guiding Exceptional Parents. Sarah and I have known each other for several years, after meeting at the Happy Mama Retreat. She truly understands kids with ADHD and autism and always offers great insights in informed and compassionate parenting. My favorite topic to turn...

There can be no debate that parenting kids with ADHD (and/or autism) is hard. Super hard! However, there are many approaches that can soften the edges and make this special brand of parenthood a little easier, and a lot more successful. Brian R. King, aka The Compassionate Dad, teaches parents to be a student of your child — to let your child's truth guide you. It's all about compassionate parenti...

I'm so excited to share the magic parenting phrase for kids with ADHD (and autism) and how to implement this strategy successfully with your child! This one phrase is so, very helpful. Truly, I cannot emphasize enough how "magical" asking your child this one question can be. So, sit back and get ready to get your mind right. Enjoy! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

ADHD can look very different in girls and women than it does in boys and men. That different appearance of symptoms, coupled with gender stereotypes, means girls with ADHD often fall through the cracks and struggle without a diagnosis for much longer. In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I talk with ADHD Coach and adult with ADHD, Linda Roggli, PCC about the symptoms to watch for in girl...