Shining With ADHD by The Childhood Collective

Raising a child with ADHD is often complicated, and being a child with ADHD is also REALLY hard. The constant redirections, the social struggles, and the low self-esteem can have the ADHD child feeling like they're broken. “What’s wrong with me?” Is the recurring question in their mind? But what if we flip the script? As parents and caregivers, we have the opportunity to show kids that their b...

In this episode, we share how a little preparation will ease any stress you or your child might have about the evaluation process AND give you confidence in the results that you get. We are answering your burning questions we hear all the time. From, "Should I give my child their ADHD medication on the day of the evaluation?" to, "How do I explain an evaluation to my child?" we hav...

Trying to navigate school support for kids with ADHD or suspected ADHD can sometimes feel like you have found yourself in a new country…and you don’t know the language. Between federal laws, state guidelines, and school board policies, it is easy to feel lost. We are here to help! In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Taylor, a special education expert, to begin de-mystifying the school evaluati...

It seems like just yesterday, the sidewalk chalk was fresh, and the bubble wands were full, and here we are prepping the crisp notebooks and buying bigger shoes for our kiddos that just.keep.growing. Whether you’re ready for a fresh start or want to cling to summer just a little longer, we have some tips to help your whole family transition to the school year. We know these shifts can be a little...

As parents, our mindsets and expectations majorly impact our children. When parenting a child with ADHD, having realistic expectations and appropriate mindsets is key. We believe that every child is special and that all kids do well if they can! When we reframe our children's struggles, this allows us the freedom to get curious and figure out the best ways to support them. In this episode, we...

As an ADHD parent, you are doing allll the things… from evaluations to therapies, to advocating for your child at school, to managing the big emotions at home. You’re stretched really thin, and it's no wonder you're tired! Developing independent play skills in ADHD children is a game-changer. This is why we are sooo excited to have an independent play expert, Lizzie Assa, sharing her knowl...

When it comes to understanding neurological differences, a question we often hear is, “What is ADHD?” Maybe you are new to the ADHD world, or maybe you haven’t even gotten a diagnosis yet! Or, maybe your child has had an ADHD diagnosis for a long time now. Wherever you are coming from, there is something for you in this episode. With a deeper understanding of ADHD, you can be empowered to help you...

It starts with first sneaking suspicion about your child's big emotions and impulsivity. They grow through those wild (but sweet!) preschool years, and then in Pre-K or Kindergarten, you start getting letters from the school or emails from the teacher. Confusion and embarrassment creep in, and everything starts to feel heavy. Thankfully, you are not alone. There is hope! It is possible to find...

Maybe it’s an email from the teacher, or you notice your child is struggling to follow directions during Little League practice. Homework and routines are often a battle, and you know in your gut that something is going on. You decide to schedule an evaluation for ADHD... but you quickly realize how overwhelming it can be. One Google search will tell you that there are SO many options. Don’t stres...

We share a lot about raising kids with ADHD, but how does parenting change as our children grow up? Parenting ADHD tweens and teens presents new challenges. From supporting your child as they strive for independence to helping them discover their own solutions when they encounter problems, navigating each new season takes time. In reality, we think the strategy takes a big shift but connection is...

The truth is, kids with ADHD get SO many more corrections and instructions than kids who don’t have ADHD. This can really impact how they see themselves, and research tells us that kids with ADHD tend to have lower self-esteem than their peers. As parents, we want to help our kids build confidence! Empowering our children to understand their gifts and talents goes a long way toward developing emot...

Parenting a child with special needs can be lonely and frustrating while at the same time amazing, funny, and wild! As mommas, we know how helpful it is to hear from someone who has walked this path for a little longer. In this episode, we sit down with Jan Stewart (an ADHD sage) to discuss insights from her personal and professional experience. Mothers need mentors, and Jan is a wealth of wisdom!...

When it comes to big projects at work or home, we are used to phrases like, “How do you eat an elephant?” or “analysis paralysis.” In corporate America, there are whole careers devoted to managing projects. The truth is, getting started on tasks can be difficult for anyone… but it’s incredibly challenging for kids with ADHD. Because of their delayed executive functioning skills, getting started (e...

At the beginning of a new school year, do you feel like you are always starting from scratch on getting support for your child? By the time you feel like you have a solid plan in place, a new school year starts, and you are back to square one. Many of you experience stress at the beginning of the new school year. Will the teacher take the time to read your child’s 504 plan or IEP so they know how...

When you have a child with ADHD, navigating school accommodations and understanding the educational team can be overwhelming! Whether it’s a question of the evaluation process or eligibility, it can be confusing, and finding accurate information is key. We’re here to help! In this episode, we speak with school psychologist Monique Hayes, NCSP, to discuss how to prepare for school meetings, what to...

We’ve all been there. You give a “five-minute warning,” but no matter how many times you say it, they look at you in surprise when it’s time to turn off the iPad or stop playing video games. The argument quickly escalates, right? It starts with negotiation, which spirals into a meltdown, and you wonder if you should just take away screens for the next 100 years. As parents, we can create an enviro...

One of the most common questions we hear from parents is, "How can I help my child make friends?" We know parents want to support their children in developing healthy friendships. As parents, we can take a strengths-based approach to supporting our kids with ADHD as they build friendships. Join our conversation as we discuss five tips for helping your kids build friendships.  MEET OUR TEAM...

We know it is difficult raising kids with ADHD, but what if you are diagnosed with ADHD or suspect you may have it? Creating calm while you manage your ADHD and your child’s is a tall order. Join us as we speak with Amy Marie Hann from @activatedadhdmama about the four mistakes parents with ADHD make and how to fix them. Amy has years of shining with ADHD and helping her kids do the same. With her...

Up to 80% of children with ADHD have at least one other diagnosis. Parents are often left wondering, “Is there more going on, or is it ‘just’ ADHD?” If you have asked this question, you are not alone! Today we are diving into the most common diagnoses that often go along with ADHD: specific learning disorders, speech and language disorders, anxiety, depression, and autism. Join us as we talk about...

Have you ever wondered if your preschooler’s behavior is “normal” or if they may have ADHD? During the early childhood years, it can be challenging to understand the root cause of problem behaviors and dysregulation. If your parenting intuition tells you something is below the surface, this episode provides insight on signs, next steps, and parenting resources. Join us as we share about the early...

We’ve all been there... Whatever their reasons, people just LOVE to give advice about how to parent kids with ADHD. Depending on the situation, your reaction might range from annoyance to anger, and everything in between. Join us as we chat about the different types of advice/criticism that ADHD parents often hear. We are sharing our top three strategies to help you navigate those awkward (and irr...

Throughout their life, our kids will spend over 2000 days in school before they graduate high school. For children with ADHD, school can be completely overwhelming! From struggling to sit still, to following multiple instructions... it’s no wonder they meltdown after a day at school! Accommodations can be a game changer, but there is a LOT of misinformation out there! Join us as we “bust” the myth...

We know what it’s like to send our kids upstairs to get ready for school, and twenty minutes later, while they have built a pretty cool fort , they are still in their pajamas. This can be SO frustrating, especially during *those* times of the day (think: the morning rush, delayed bedtime, and homework battles). These challenges are common for kids with ADHD, and it all stems from delayed executive...

Are you a parent of a child with ADHD (or suspected ADHD)? Are you overwhelmed by the treatment options to support your child? Are you exhausted from giving your child with ADHD *countless* reminders for the same tasks… yelling to get them to (sometimes) listen… and walking on eggshells to avoid the seemingly endless meltdowns? Are you getting constant calls from the school about your child’s beha...