The ADHD MUMS Pod

We return after a sudden absence to explain our disappearance, sharing candid stories about our recent medical emergencies and hospital stays. • Claire spent over ten days in multiple hospitals dealing with a severe infection in her fallopian tubes • A hospital procedure gone wrong left Claire with a drain tube caught on her sciatic nerve, causing excruciating pain • After being discharged, Claire...

We share our weekly highs and lows, exploring the emotional challenges of parenting teens and finding moments of connection amid chaos. • Claire's week dominated by helping her teenage son through exam stress, requiring her to relearn subjects from Latin to maths • The breakthrough moment when her son allowed physical comfort after almost a year of rejection • Claire reassuring her anxious te...

We explore what their ideal ADHD-friendly homes would look like, from practical solutions to fantastical dreams, while repeatedly getting side-tracked, as per usual. • Low-maintenance outdoor spaces like yards with potted plants instead of gardens requiring constant upkeep • Automated home features like laundry chutes, robot vacuum cleaners, and smart home technology to reduce cognitive load • Mea...

We explore how ADHD brains might be better suited to hunter-gatherer societies than our modern capitalist world, questioning if our current social structures are fundamentally misaligned with neurodivergent minds. • The hunter-gatherer theory of ADHD suggests our brains evolved for different tasks than modern 9-to-5 work demands • Claire discusses how leaving her job allowed her to reconnect with...

We share our weekly highs and lows, exploring the challenges of neurodivergent travel and the joys of neighborhood connections. • Claire's low: the chaos of traveling as a neurodivergent couple, including last-minute passport expiration panic and disorganization with transort. • Claire's high: experiencing ancient Neanderthal cave art in Spain despite terrifying slippery stairs and langu...

We explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), an intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection or criticism commonly experienced by people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. We share personal stories about how understanding RSD has helped us recognize when we're experiencing it and develop healthier responses to perceived rejection. • RSD causes intense emotional pain in res...

We dive deep into the rollercoaster of ADHD parenting, from school refusal crises to chaotic hospital visits, while also exploring how hormones and PMDD can devastate our mental health. • Gen shares her daughter's escalating school refusal that culminated in her unlocking school gates and running into traffic • Dealing with physical aggression and bites from children during meltdowns • The ch...

Claire and Gen discuss Chris Packham's BBC documentary "Inside Our ADHD Minds," sharing how it portrays the lived experience of ADHD through the stories of two individuals with the condition. • Documentary follows Henry (diagnosed as a child) and Jo (diagnosed late in life) as they create films to help their loved ones understand ADHD • Henry's film portrayed ADHD as a characte...

Another dose of our weekly highs and lows, diving into the physical and emotional toll of health struggles, bureaucratic nightmares, and finding unexpected parenting wins. • Claire discusses her weight loss journey and the exhaustion from medical treatments affecting her productivity and mental health • Physical health limitations create additional challenges when managing daily tasks and househol...

We introduce our new feature "Voice Notes from the Edge" where listeners can send us voice messages with questions, stories, or ADHD hacks that we'll respond to on the podcast. • Our first message comes from a listener who's had her ADHD referral lost in the healthcare system • She asks whether pursuing diagnosis is worth the uphill battle after experiencing system failures • W...

Claire's recent recurrent nightmares and a podcast reccomendation have made her want to finally share her deeply personal journey of escaping an abusive relationship decades ago.  We talk around the unique vulnerabilities ADHD women face in toxic partnerships. • ADHD traits can make individuals more susceptible to manipulation and gaslighting • Early warning signs of abuse include controlling...

ADHD diagnosis brings initial relief until the harsh reality sets in – it helps you understand yourself better but doesn't make the struggles disappear. The journey continues with extreme highs and lows, requiring ongoing effort and coping strategies. • Gen shares that recognizing anxiety as an "unwelcome visitor" rather than part of her identity represents significant growth • When...

We discuss the emotional journey of moving house as a Mum with ADHD, from being stuck in overwhelming clutter to successfully downsizing by 75% into a more functional living space. Frickin WOOOO-HOOOOOOO! YES Claire!!!  • Setting the ambitious goal to eliminate 75% of possessions despite sentimental attachments and hoarding tendencies • Discovering the surprising ease with which her teenage son ad...

This week we explore the balance between global activism and personal challenges, sharing how we navigate feelings of helplessness about world events while managing the daily chaos of ADHD parenthood. • Claire discusses her journey from feeling helpless about the situation in Palestine to taking action by connecting with local activists • The importance of boycotting certain products as a tangible...

Household management presents unique challenges for mothers with ADHD, from the constant distractions to the repetitive, unrewarding nature of daily tasks. We explore "Overwhelmed Mum Syndrome" and share practical solutions for making our homes more ADHD-friendly. • Household tasks are particularly difficult for ADHD brains due to lack of structure, constant interruptions, and minimal do...

We share our experiences with dating fatigue, disability discrimination, and finding joy in neuro-divergent spaces while navigating life with ADHD. • Gen admits reaching dating fatigue and Claire points out how Gen's standards have risen as she's learned more about herself • Dating with ADHD presents unique challenges including time management and intense connections • Gen celebrates her...

We discuss the highs and lows of our weeks, ft: • Claire's escalating dismay at a furniture company over delayed sofas and turning confrontation into a win • Finding satisfaction in home organization that creates space for creative projects • Dealing with a child's escalating school refusal and the emotional complexity as an ADHD parent who relates • The joy of a weekend getaway for Gen...

We're back after an unexpected 18-month break, and what a whirlwind it's been! Life with ADHD never slows down, and we've both experienced some big changes that have reshaped our day to day completely. Gen's journey has taken her from co-parenting related job loss to university studies, from a relationship ending to dating adventures, and most significantly, through transformat...

Ever wondered how ADHD affects women juggling a career, parenting, and daily life struggles? Tune in as we are joined by our guest Mellanie, to hear her personal journey of dealing with ADHD in the workplace. Still coming to terms with her late diagnosis, she describes the constant fight to fit into a world that seems so effortlessly managed by others, and the challenges of making a mark in the co...

Ever found it tough to manage the daily chaos that ADHD throws at you while juggling the trials and tribulations of motherhood? Picture this: You've got an early morning job, and you're trying to navigate getting home in freezing rain, just to arrive home and find your prepayment electricity meter going on strike.  Support the show Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol ab...

Navigating the workplace can be a minefield, especially when you are living with a disability. But imagine if you had a tool in your arsenal that could provide up to £63,000 per year to help you stay in or return to work? Well, the UK government's Access to Work scheme apparently does just that. We talk through through the many ways this fund can potentially be a game-changer for you, from co...

What happens when life throws a curveball and you find yourself juggling a sick child, a new job, and a migraine? You grit your teeth through a free full body massage, of course!  Join us for a chat about our week, that was a mixed bag of highs and lows. Competing with the normal stresses of parenthood, Gen had the excitement of a new job at a spa, but found herself and her youngest child ill on h...

This month we get real about the realities of the working world? Join us on a rollercoaster journey through our eclectic work lives. We'll take you through our work path diversity, from waitressing to wedding photography, discussing the pressures of earning a living when your output changes so significantly from one day to the next. We touch on how the Liverpool music scene, in which we grew...

If anyone understands about how ADHD can impact a woman's experience during pregnancy and postnatal care, it's a midwife with ADHD, who has had three pregnancies of her own. Our guest, Laura Spence, The ADHD Midwife, is going to open our eyes to the intricacies of neurodivergence and maternity services. Laura’s incredible journey starts with her own struggles with self-care, friendships,...

In our highs and lows of the week, we share our struggles with single parenting, co-parenting schedules, and changing households.  We pre-empt our upcoming month's topic, by discussing candidness about disclosing ADHD to potential employers, and the ethical considerations around this. As always, we hope this section will entertain, and also offer a sense of acceptance in those listeners who c...