Shining With ADHD by The Childhood Collective

Rachel Bozek is the co-host of the podcast called In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently. Her podcast is filled with practical tips and helpful information to boost your confidence as a parent. Today's episode is an honest, relatable chat between Mallory and Rachel. As parents who are “in it” themselves, they talk about balancing professional knowledge with actual, real life parenting. Grab...

Imagine sitting at coffee with a friend whose child just received an ADHD diagnosis. What encouragement would you share with your friend? What did YOU need to hear when your child was diagnosed? In today’s episode, members of our community are sharing the *first* thoughts they had after getting an ADHD diagnosis for their child, and their top advice for other ADHD parents. We can’t wait for you to...

What if we told you that your life could get easier with just 10 minutes a day? No, we aren't talking about face yoga or a power nap (those do sound pretty good though!). When we take time to connect with our kids, our entire perspective can shift. Less defiance and frustration, more *joy* in parenting. If you feel overwhelmed at the idea of adding one more thing to your plate, we get it! We a...

"Please can I get a phone?? All my friends have one!" If you have had this conversation once (or one thousand times), you are not alone. On top of everything we worry about as ADHD parents, we are also navigating how to keep our kids safe online. In today's episode, Dr. Tasha Brown explains how social media and phones affect mental health and self-esteem for kids with ADHD. As a child...

What are the three types of ADHD? Whatever happened to ADD? And do I *really* need to know what type of ADHD my child has? As with many things in ADHD parenting, the answer is, yes and no. In today's episode, we break down the different types of ADHD and what you need to know about each type. Of course, the most important thing is understanding your unique child... and the subtypes are a great...

"I could never take away screens from my child with ADHD!" If you have had this thought, you are not alone. And maybe screens aren't causing a big issue in your home. But if your child is losing interest in other activities, missing valuable sleep, or becoming aggressive when screen time ends, it may be time to consider taking screens away. Let's chat about when screens become a bi...

Each of us has a journey that led us to where we are today, and one of the most beautiful parts of human connection is understanding another person's story. In today's episode, comedian and podcaster Shannon Payton opens up about her journey through infertility, the ups and downs of adoption, and leaving a cult. Each of these experiences have shaped Shannon's experience as an ADHD pare...

In today's episode, we are answering questions from our amazing audience! Of course, the first topic: executive functioning (yes, it is our favorite for a reason!) You asked, and we answered. Questions like, "How do I build my child's frustration tolerance?" and, "How does executive functioning affect manners?" or, "How can I build independence when my child immediately...

When it comes to getting school support for kids with ADHD, many parents are confused: Should my child with ADHD be on a 504 Plan? IEP? Can I have both? What should I even ask for? And WHY are there so many acronyms?? Don't worry, we've got you! In this episode, we talk through the key differences between these two plans, and how to understand what your child needs. With the right support,...

If you have been around the world of ADHD for a while, you may have heard the term Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria" or RSD. When kids with ADHD experience RSD, they can fall into negative thought patterns such as, "nobody likes me" ... and it can be heartbreaking to watch. In this conversation, Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart shares empathy, insight, and practical strategies for parents to help...

Difficulty getting started on a task. Working very slowly during a math test. Difficulty falling asleep at night. Are you ready for a pop quiz?? Here it is: Do these examples make you think of ADHD, or anxiety? What if we told you that they could be either one... or both? The truth is, many times these diagnoses can look similar on the surface. But they are very different, and need different types...

On this ADHD parenting journey, it is SO important to have friends who understand your journey! For us, Amy Marie Hann of @activatedadhdmama has been that person. As an ADHD parent herself, Amy is relatable, honest, and full of practical ideas to make life easier for ADHD families. As we transition back into the school year, we asked Amy to share how she tweaks her systems for every season. This i...

Heading back to school can bring up all the feelings. Maybe you feel relieved to get back to a more consistent schedule… and at the same time, you may be nervous about your child having a new teacher. One of the most challenging aspects of ADHD parenting is wondering, “how can I help my child at school when I’m not with them during the school day?”. In this episode, we are chatting about our favor...

As we reflect on the first season of our podcast, we feel so honored that we have a place on your playlist. Between the topics and the hosts, we hope that you feel empowered and encouraged on your parenting journey. Don't worry; we'll be back in August, but we'd love to hear which episodes you loved the most! It isn’t easy, but we know you are the best parent for your child! For our fi...

Parenting is hard. Full stop. Parenting a child with ADHD adds a layer of nuance that can feel extra exhausting. However, we know that our kids ARE amazing and we just have to recalibrate our perspectives and expectations. Today on the podcast, we interview Rachel Nielson, ADHD parent and popular podcaster about 3 mindset shifts that have deepened her connection with her children.  MEET RACHEL Rac...

Popsicles aren’t the only thing that can melt down in the summer. Our kids with ADHD can struggle during the school break due to the lack of routine and structure. On the flip side, they still need the space to learn new skills, experience boredom, or go on an adventure. Finding alignment is possible! In today’s episode, we share five tips to ease your family into summer so you can have less frust...

Nutrition advice and ADHD can be so tricky. From empty product promises to misleading marketing, finding support for your child’s diet seems to be one discouragement after another. You buy all the supplements, limit all the things, and notice a minimal difference. Our goal has always been to support families. It’s no secret that balanced nutrition is part of a healthy start for kids, but what abou...

“Why did you do that?”  “What were you thinking?” Sound familiar?  When our kids act impulsively, it is easy for us to get frustrated and confused. We might start asking our kids why they behaved the way they did. The truth is, initially, they often don’t even know. Once everyone is regulated, it is easier to figure out what happened. As parents, we naturally want our kids with ADHD to slow down a...

We often talk about how supporting kids with ADHD takes a village. Building your child’s team of professionals is SO important. From educators to therapists and pediatricians, their experience and understanding are key to helping kids shine. Today, on the podcast, we have Dr. Mona Amin. She is a board-certified pediatrician, parenting coach, and mother. In this episode, she shares her perspective...

Most of the time, we don’t need to see growing noses to know if our kids are telling us a lie. We catch the lie, and then all the feelings come. We might feel angry, hurt, worried, or downright annoyed. Navigating our own reactions can be tricky. As parents, it's important to keep in mind that our kids have differences in their executive functioning. We want to empower you with 4 strategies yo...

When people think of ADHD, they often picture the wiggly 6-year-old who struggles to keep his hands to himself and loves making his classmates laugh. We don’t often picture the little girl with a busy brain and loves to talk. For years, girls were overlooked in the research for ADHD. This resulted in a misunderstanding of their need for support. Getting these amazing girls the right treatment as e...

If you’re anything like us, you have a Pinterest board FULL of cute home organization ideas and products. It all seems so lovely. Let’s be real; sometimes it works, and sometimes it is just not sustainable for YOUR family. We want to help. In today’s episode, we are sharing our favorite organizing tips so you can stop looking for socks and arguing over chargers! These strategies will help you disc...

As kids are evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, it is not uncommon for parents to look back on their childhood. Many adults experience a lightbulb moment when they reflect on their educational and social journey. Knowing what they know now sparks a personal process of considering an adult diagnosis. This is especially common for women since ADHD in girls is sometimes hard to spot. Our guest today,...

You’ve researched providers, you’ve verified insurance, made it through the long waiting list, and it is FINALLY time for the first ADHD appointment - the intake. We know you want to make the most of the visit to support your child, but it can get overwhelming between the questionnaires and forms. You may have a running list in your notes of everything in your head but have no idea what to mention...

In our culture, we hear the term “OCD” thrown around a lot. “I’m so OCD about…” While this isn’t intended for harm, it does foster confusion about what it really means to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It’s far more nuanced than the common idea of constant hand-washing or organization. OCD can be common in kids with ADHD, so in today’s episode, we talk with OCD therapist Natasha Daniels to he...