Unmasking Mum

I just came back from my first experience of Womanifest, after years of watching from the side lines and thinking that I’d never be able to go back to doing events like that, here’s a summary of how it made me feel and a very important lesson I learnt that you’re going to want to hear!

Have you ever looked at someone and thought "wow they're a confident person I wish I could be like that" let me tell you that beneath the confidence that is projected that person will still worry about the same things you do too. They've just worked hard at unmasking their confidence and you can do this too! Join me as I share my journey and how I unearthed what was holding me ba...

Have you dried up like the Sahara desert and ready to get your juices flowing again? Introducing Iysha Barrett Morichon, sharing all about her journey from promiscuous teen, to celibacy into finding herself post motherhood. If you're in need of reconnecting to your body and your man, this is the perfect conversation for you. Get in touch with Iysha here: www.instagram.com/animamaia www.faceboo...

I went to see Harry Styles at the weekend and it was incredible, the atmosphere, the people, the vibe, the effects, the crowd singing, it was all amazing but on the run up I had 5 moments were FOPO crept in and no. 5 almost stopped me from doing what I wanted and left me walking away filled with disappointment. Listen to todays episode and what I did to work around it and see how I faced my FOPO....

No concept of time. Doom boxes in every corner. Emotions that match your kids' meltdowns. Energy gone by 10am. And don't even get me started on school admin (5 kids, 4 schools and they keep changing the bloody apps). If you're late diagnosed, you've probably spent years thinking you were just a "bad mum" lazy, disorganised, all the labels. You weren't. Your brain just...

Being beautiful and FEELING beautiful are two very different things. And only one of them actually matters. In this episode I talk about how unmasking as a late diagnosed ADHDer has helped me to feel beautiful on the outside and the inside too. If you've struggled with how you see yourself physically and how you talk to yourself mentally this ones for you! https://mumsguidetoadhd.com/discover-...

In this heartfelt episode of Unmasking Mum , Ana Bonasera opens up about her daily struggles and the pervasive fear of other's opinions,FOPO, that many parents, especially those with neurodivergent children, experience. She shares raw insights into her personal journey, highlighting the importance of honesty and finding pockets of happiness amid overwhelming circumstances.

In this week’s episode of Unmasking Mum, Ana explores the impact of FOPO...Fear of Other People’s Opinions and how it can quietly prevent people from pursuing opportunities, achieving goals, and showing up authentically in their personal and professional lives. The episode also dives into the connection between FOPO and RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria), highlighting how perceived criticism, r...

This episode is raw, honest and very real. Because let’s be honest…when you’re juggling children, running a business, managing a home and dealing with your own health…happiness can feel very far away. But I’ve been learning something important: Happiness isn’t always a big, life-changing moment…it’s often found in the small, intentional ones. In this episode of Unmasking Mum , I share: How gratitu...

In this podcast, I’m sharing a very real and honest look at my journey over the past few years from running a successful business and doing all the things , to burnout, grief, losing my dad and slowly finding my way back to myself. This isn’t polished. It’s not perfect. It’s real life. I talk about: The pressure of doing everything alone in my business Burnout and the impact of lockdown on family...

Prioritising my own ADHD journey over my children's might seem selfish, but in my experience its only benefitted my children. I now have the ability to understand how our brains work and am able to lead the way. Its helped me to see life through their eyes, reframe why they struggle with certain things and help them find solutions to their challenges. Take a listen to the break throughs I'...

In this episode, Ana shares a deeply honest reflection on what it really looks like to build a “dream life” while still living in the middle of chaos. As a mum navigating the realities of raising children with additional needs, life has often felt overwhelming, but a powerful shift in perspective made her realise something surprising: she was already living parts of the life she once dreamed about...

In this episode, Ana shares a raw and emotional experience that sparked both anger and self-reflection after hearing outdated and harmful language used casually in front of children. She opens up about the internal battle that followed, from spiralling thoughts and self-doubt to grounding herself in what she truly believes. Ana explores what it really means to stand firm in your values, especially...

This episode explores the concept of delayed gratification, especially in the context of ADHD. Ana Bonasera shares personal insights and practical tips on how to understand and overcome challenges related to motivation, rewards, and goal achievement. Takeaways Understanding delayed gratification helps manage ADHD challenges. Breaking goals into small steps increases motivation. Instant rewards can...

In this episode, Ana Bonasera explores the nature of confidence, why we care about others' opinions, and how to flip the script on negative self-talk. She shares personal insights and practical tips to boost self-esteem, especially for those with ADHD and neurodivergent traits. Takeaways Confidence is not an all-or-nothing trait; it varies across different areas of life. Practicing kindness an...

Ana Bonasera shares insights from a recent workshop ran by BOB ICB* on plans for ADHD provision, highlighting upcoming initiatives to improve diagnosis, support and community engagement for the ADHD community. Key topics ADHD diagnosis gaps and statistics in Oxfordshire New support structures including online and in-person groups Development of a comprehensive ADHD resource website and app Communi...

Ana Bonasera shares her personal journey of building confidence, especially around body image, through various life experiences, challenges and achievements. She discusses the impact of ADHD hyperfocus, self-love and community support on her confidence development. Key topics Body image and confidence journey Impact of motherhood and single parenting Role of hyperfocus and community in personal gr...

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...