Journey With Me Through ADHD: A podcast for kids

Taking a test has always been a battle for me. How do you feel about taking a test? Growing up, it always made me feel like I wasn't smart enough and it would be so frustrating to feel like I was trying as hard as possible and still the test or even sometimes assignments didn't show my effort! With the testing going on around the US right now, I wanted to share an episode that speaks to the truth that  1. testing does not define you and 2. testing does not determine your capabilities or intelligence!  In this episode, you will hear my daughter and I attempt to turn "You Don't Talk about Bruno" into a song about testing. She then shares her feelings on taking a test and asks about yours! It's so important to have this conversation to be sure that there are no feelings of shame or lack of self-worth/confidence given a low score. It's also important to find fun and creative ways to practice for a test in colorful ways! There is also hope in that each one of you have strengths and gifts that when used to learn something you love, they will lead you through the education you need, to a career you enjoy!  Please email me if you'd like to be a guest on this podcast, or if you have a topic idea to share... katelynmabry4@gmail.com  Visit my website: www.katelynmabry.com  

Our busy brains love technology because it gives us some of the things we crave...It provides a dose of dopamine, it triggers that imaginitive state of mind, and ignites that superpower of hyperfocus as it taps into an interest we have! This sparks joy and even can be a way we find our "calm" at times!  The problem lies when it becomes TOO MUCH! Too much of anything can be dangerous. It can lead to emotional dysregulation, irritabilty, and can affect our sleep (which can heighten ADHD symptoms).  In this episode, you will hear from a few kiddos with ADHD who share how they feel when they are on their favorite technology device. I follow up this common thread of joy filled responses with how we can still enjoy technology while also created boundtries and coming up with a plan for when it is used. Creating a fun contract may be a great way to decrease frustrations with established boundries. Being mindful of technology before bed is the last take away I encourage as a helpful tool as we find ways to calm our mind and body down before falling asleep!  I hope this episode is a helpful conversational tool. Please know that it's meant to act as a jumpstart to finding what works best for your family! Please let me know if you have any questions or share what worked best for you! Sending love and support always!  Visit www.katelynmabry.com  for more resources or to set up a 15 min free consult for ADHD Coaching. Email me directly at katelynmabry4@gmail.com to share topic ideas or if your child would like to share on a future podcast episodes.

April Fools!! For my regular listeners, you may have been wondering if I was going to do an episode this week, but here I am one day late using April 1st as a perfectly good reason to delay the episode;) My daughter, Alayna, joins me in the beginning of this episode as we play off of April fools day and talk about how laughter can be a great form of triggering motivation and joy into areas of struggle as well. Laughter gives a dose of dopamine and gives our mind that joy chemical it needs. Layni shares some ways that she embeds laughter into her day. She also admits that she is "always" finding herself bored! I think many of you can relate to that feeling too!  Boredom is not a symptom of ADHD, but it is a result of our brains neurologically needing more stimulation and entertainment. In this episode I share three ways to combat bordom both at home and at school... 1. Embed/tie interests into activities. Use fidgets to do math or look up a Minecraft article to get reading time in. General boredom can ignite that creativity that is already a gift your mind has. Tap into that creativity and make up a game at home that includes something of interest, etc.  2. Make yourself move! I say "make" because often ADHD paralysis becomes a struggle and you don't "want" to move...but getting creative with movement of ANY kind will battle boredom and also give that dose of dopamine that you are low in.  3. Shorten activities and switch it up! Create novelty in what you do throughout your day. Plan on doing things in shorter time periods (draw for 5 min. Then go outside for 10 min. Next, come in for a snack for 5 more minutes) At school, advocate for changing environments to get work done or encourage teacher to change room around to keep it fresh. Encourage teacher to shorten lesson time periods of presentation as well. I know that can be hard, but super helpful for ALL students. Breaking things into smaller parts is the key! I hope you enjoy this episode! Please email me at katelynmabry4@gmail.com if you'd like me to send questions so your child can share their ADHD journey on this podcast. Check out my website www.katelynmabry.com for more resources or to order a signed copy of my book, "Hi, It's Me! I have ADHD"  Thank you for being here! Love you all! 

This podcast explores the challenges of transition time for individuals with ADHD, including the concept of hyperfocus. They introduce the 3 P's to help with future transition times, which include preparing, making it predictable, and practicing. These strategies encourage self-advocacy, independence, growth mindset, structure, and overall transition success.

If you were to paint a picture of your ADHD brain, what would it look like? In this episode, you will hear from 11-year-old Kendall, who describes a beautiful chaos that would be hard to explain to others! Kendall also shares her greatest strengths, her areas of struggle, and the armor she uses to combat her struggle. She focuses on the working memory battle as she talks about forgetfulness. She also give a great "post-it" strategy that works for her on the days she needs to remember her flute. A post-it on a door is a great tool to use as a reminder, the key is that it is visible or it will be forgotten too!!  Kendall is a pleasure to hear from as she shares her kind heart for others and there are so many wonderful ways your child can connect with her in this episode.  Please send me a message if your child would like to share about his or her ADHD journey on this podcast! It's super simple...I email questions, you record on a voice memo, and then email the recording back...the rest is up to me!! Email me at katelynmabry4@gmail.com if interested!  Visit my website at www.katelynmabry.com for more resources, to buy my book, or to contact me about a free 15 min. coaching consultation call!  You are loved and appreciated! Thank you for being on this journey with me!! 

This episode leads with strengths, while also tackling some of our ADHD struggles. Do you have a hard time processing information? I know I do at times and it can feel frustrating. You and I are not alone as Oliver shares his struggle with processing in this episode.  9-year old Oliver is so brave to share in this episode. He explains ADHD as a struggle to process things, so then I explain what that means (we will cover some more takeaway tools and strategies for processing in a  future episode). Oliver also shares his strengths and deep pressure strategy to find his calm.  We also revisit the importance of "finding your tribe" of trusted friends and adults to make your ADHD journey that much more enjoyable. He shares how much his mom helps him learn and grow given that she deeply understands him because they share an ADHD brain too!  If your child would like to share part of his or her ADHD journey, please email me at katelynmabry4@gmail.com  .  I can send prompting questions and/or your child can share what they would like others to know!  Visit my website www.katelynmabry.com to order my book or for other resources.  I love and appreciate each and every one of you!!! 

One of my goals on this podcast is to empower kids to let their voice be heard as an opportunity to gain confidence and self-esteem. Eight-year-old Addy wanted to share her persepective on living with and ADHD brain by inviting her peers to hear about her journey so you know you are not alone in how you think and feel.  Her transparency and honesty is so refreshing and filled with so many helpful connections and strategies.  What do your mind and emotions feel like having ADHD? What are your many strengths/gifts? What are the struggles that strike and what strategies do you use that help!?  You will learn about the "5,4,3,2,1" strategy to calm dawn. This is when you tap into your 5 senses to help your mind and body find calm after getting dysregulated/lose emotional control.   You won't want to miss all of the wisdom Ms. Addy has to share!!  Email me an audio clip of your child  responding to the questions above if he or she would like to come on the podcast to share too... katelynmabry4@gmail.com You can also check out my website to book a free 15 min coaching consultation call or to check out my book for kids, "Hi It's Me! I have ADHD." Sending hugs and love to you all! 

The podcast discusses shifting from shame to gratitude in the ADHD journey, emphasizing the importance of connections and replacing 'I'm sorry' with 'thank you' when acknowledging personal challenges.

"Difficulty with frienships" isn't on an ADHD diagnosis, but it sure is something that many of us with supercharged brains struggle with at times. It can be hard to make and maintain friends. It's not something that often comes natural. Many kids need an adult to facilitate and/or practice the skill of being a good friend, while choosing friends wisely!  In this episode, I share my own challenges with frienships. You will also hear a few of your fellow listeners share their experience with friends.  The takeaway from this episode is to continue to talking through and practicing scenarios of how to respond to friends that will leave you learning and growing in the skill of friendship!  Please MESSAGE ME to share part of your ADHD journey on this show! www.katelynmabry.com  You can also find my book, "Hi, It's Me! I have ADHD" on my website as a resource to share with friends so they can better understand how you think and feel!!

Angie Lee is a brilliant ADHD warrior who sees her brain as the ultimate gift that has driven her to be as successful as she is in the business she has built. In this episode she shares her unique ADHD journey as well as introduces the fact that our ADHD brains feed off of novelty! How can you add more novelty to your environment at home and at school!? Angie highlights the "hyperactive" piece of the ADHD puzzle. As we have talked about, we all present this differently and while some experience the hyperactive experience, others may not. In this episode, we encourage and empower those listeners to embrace and celebrate their extra energy and find ways to use it to help you learn new things and excell in life.  Please note that this episode does not negate the challenges ADHD brings, but it is meant to be a resource for leading with the strengths and gifts that drive your ADHD brain!  You can find Angie Lee at www.angielee.com where you can follow her in multiple ways! She also has a fabulous podcast for adults called "The Angie Lee Show!" She is as raw and real as you get! Love her and love you all!  Have a beautiful day and keep being you!