

Beautifully Complex
Penny Williams
Join parenting coach and mom-in-the-trenches, Penny Williams, as she helps parents, caregivers, and educators harness the realization that we are all beautifully complex and marvelously imperfect. Each week she delivers insights and actionable strategies on parenting and educating neurodivergent kids — those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities... Her approach to decoding behavior while honoring neurodiversity, and parenting the individual child you have will provide you with the tools to help you understand and transform behavior, reduce your own stress, increase parenting confidence, and create the joyful family life you crave. Penny has helped thousands of families worldwide to help their kids feel good so they can do good.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 10, 2018 • 39min
PAP 037: Creating a Non-Toxic Lifestyle for Your Child with ADHD, with Jennifer Scribner
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with nutrition and wellness practitioner, Jennifer Scribner, about creating a non-toxic lifestyle. Many kids with ADHD have genetic polymorphisms like MTHFR that reduce the body's ability to detoxify effectively. A non-toxic lifestyle is important for all of us, but especially kids with ADHD and sensitivities. Listen in for what items should be on your radar and tips and strategies to detoxify your home, for everyone's health. "Detergents, and particularly fabric softeners, are the biggest source of toxins in our homes."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Apr 6, 2018 • 36min
PAP 036: Repeating a Grade in School, with Rebecca Eisenberg
In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with speech-language pathologist and author of "My Second Year of Kindergarten," Becca Eisenberg, about repeating a grade in school. Listen in as we discuss the signs that a child might need to repeat a grade, the aspects of school to think about when making the decision, and how to walk your child through acceptance and the transition. *Note: The sound on this episode isn't as good as I'd like it to be. The message, however, is fantastic, so please forgive the sound quality.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Mar 29, 2018 • 31min
PAP 035: Tantrum vs. Meltdown: Differences & How to Tame Them
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people call a meltdown a tantrum. A tantrum is a fit a child throws to get their way. A meltdown is when your child is stuck and their brain has been sort-of hijacked. A child in a meltdown does not have control of their actions. Listen in to this episode as I discuss the full differences between a tantrum and meltdown and provide insights and strategies to begin to tame them. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Mar 16, 2018 • 43min
PAP 034: How to Get the Help Your Child with ADHD Needs in School
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. * Please note: Nothing in this episode or in this post constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney. Always consult an attorney for interpretation of and guidance on the law. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Mar 9, 2018 • 1h 7min
PAP 033: Why Behavior Isn't "BAD," with Holly Moses
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 and I will adjust your mindset for behavior so you can be the parent your child needs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Mar 2, 2018 • 58min
PAP 032: Mother’s Quest: Following Your Purpose and Being True to Yourself, with Julie Neale
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 forward with your purpose and intention. "We don't have to figure it out on our own." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Feb 22, 2018 • 1h 3min
PAP 031: A Conversation with Frank South on Life with ADHD and Letting Kids with ADHD Find Their Way
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 about Frank's life and parenthood, his insights on raising kids with ADHD and letting them find themselves, and why having ADHD is kind of like being a chicken in the wind. "We're there to listen, support, and help them solve problems, not to bring more outside judgements and goals that we put on them."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Feb 15, 2018 • 34min
PAP 030: ADHD Medication 101: What Parents Need to Know
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 wish I'd had when starting and trialing ADHD medications. This is the information every parent should have before they fill the first prescription for their child. * Please note: Nothing on this episode or in this post constitutes medical advice. I am not a clinician. Always consult your child's doctor for guidance before making any medication decisions or changes. Enjoy! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Feb 8, 2018 • 1h 1min
PAP 029: Out-of-the-Box Parenting Key for ADHD, with Roberto Olivardia PhD
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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Feb 1, 2018 • 31min
PAP 028: Helicopter Parenting is Sure to Crash and Burn When Your Child has ADHD
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 time. So, let's dive in and get your out of the pilot's seat. Enjoy!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.