Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHD
Patricia Sung
Productivity, Parenting, and Education for Moms with Adult ADHD
Are you overwhelmed by the never-ending to do list of motherhood? Are you burnt out and barely keeping your head above water? Are you confused and frustrated by how all the other moms make it look so easy? And somehow you're still floundering despite trying even harder...
Your purse is as overflowing as your mind, you never feel like a good enough mom, and you don't dare have anyone over to visit to witness your messy home. You just want the best for your kids, but you can't figure out how to manage the chaos, both in your mind and in your house.
Oh, I've been there, mama. Some days, I'm still there. Parenting with ADHD is hard!
We want to be structured for our kids, yet we can't seem to stay consistent even for ourselves. But I'm letting go of everyone else's perception of a "good mom" and stepping into loving who I am a little more each day. Will you join me?
Whether you have ADHD like I do, or think you might, here is your permission slip to let go of the pinterest worthy visions of organization and structure fit for everyone else. Let's do life like our brains do life: creatively, lovingly, and with all your might. Moms with ADHD have a superpower of always trying their best, even when it doesn't pan out.
How do I know? I have known about my ADD for over twenty years, and I want to share all of this hard-earned ADHD knowledge with you, making your adjustment a lot easier and faster than mine was.
What does Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder look like in women? We'll dive into emotional regulation, motivation, executive function, hormones, medication, and natural treatments. Women with ADHD share their diagnosis stories with us, whether inattentive, hyperactive or combined, from childhood through adult diagnoses. We also talk about ADHD's so-called friends like depression, anxiety, addiction, disordered eating, other learning differences, and what I've learned through therapy and CBT.
Science is my jam and learning about how our brains work through the lens of scientific research helps us understand who we are. ADHD is not just for little boys; it looks different in girls.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological medical condition, not an excuse for lazy, stupid, unmotivated people to not live up to our potential. Let's agree to throw that thought in the trash.
Once we understand how our brains work, we can dive into the practical strategies like structuring our day, minimalism, money, nurturing our relationships, daily rhythms, using a planner, and improving our sleep. I want to help you build your version of a joyful family life.
We talk about everything from ADHD to Zebras, because that is how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder works: to us, our thoughts are clearly connected, but non-linear to everyone else. I want you to love being a zebra in a world full of horses. We were born as unique, gorgeous creatures, not meant to blend in with the usual nor mundane.
When we embrace who we are and how our brains work, we can figure out how to live out lives successfully and in turn, lead our families well.
At the end of the day, we just want to be good moms. Spoiler alert: you are already a great mom.
If you're ready to see that with your own two eyes, hit play and listen in as we love ourselves a little more each day of our ADHD lives. ADHD does NOT mean you're doomed to be a hot mess, mama!
You CAN rewrite your story from shame spiral to success story, and I'll be right here beside you to cheer you on!
With love, Patricia Sung, a fellow mama with ADHD
Free Resources and Transcriptions at: motherhoodinadhd.com
Connect with Patricia Sung on Instagram: www.instagram.com/motherhoodinadhd
Join like-minded mamas in our Successful Mama Meetups online community: https://www.patriciasung.com/meetup
Sign up for community, courses, coaching, and tons of free resources to learn about ADHD: www.patriciasung.com
Are you overwhelmed by the never-ending to do list of motherhood? Are you burnt out and barely keeping your head above water? Are you confused and frustrated by how all the other moms make it look so easy? And somehow you're still floundering despite trying even harder...
Your purse is as overflowing as your mind, you never feel like a good enough mom, and you don't dare have anyone over to visit to witness your messy home. You just want the best for your kids, but you can't figure out how to manage the chaos, both in your mind and in your house.
Oh, I've been there, mama. Some days, I'm still there. Parenting with ADHD is hard!
We want to be structured for our kids, yet we can't seem to stay consistent even for ourselves. But I'm letting go of everyone else's perception of a "good mom" and stepping into loving who I am a little more each day. Will you join me?
Whether you have ADHD like I do, or think you might, here is your permission slip to let go of the pinterest worthy visions of organization and structure fit for everyone else. Let's do life like our brains do life: creatively, lovingly, and with all your might. Moms with ADHD have a superpower of always trying their best, even when it doesn't pan out.
How do I know? I have known about my ADD for over twenty years, and I want to share all of this hard-earned ADHD knowledge with you, making your adjustment a lot easier and faster than mine was.
What does Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder look like in women? We'll dive into emotional regulation, motivation, executive function, hormones, medication, and natural treatments. Women with ADHD share their diagnosis stories with us, whether inattentive, hyperactive or combined, from childhood through adult diagnoses. We also talk about ADHD's so-called friends like depression, anxiety, addiction, disordered eating, other learning differences, and what I've learned through therapy and CBT.
Science is my jam and learning about how our brains work through the lens of scientific research helps us understand who we are. ADHD is not just for little boys; it looks different in girls.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological medical condition, not an excuse for lazy, stupid, unmotivated people to not live up to our potential. Let's agree to throw that thought in the trash.
Once we understand how our brains work, we can dive into the practical strategies like structuring our day, minimalism, money, nurturing our relationships, daily rhythms, using a planner, and improving our sleep. I want to help you build your version of a joyful family life.
We talk about everything from ADHD to Zebras, because that is how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder works: to us, our thoughts are clearly connected, but non-linear to everyone else. I want you to love being a zebra in a world full of horses. We were born as unique, gorgeous creatures, not meant to blend in with the usual nor mundane.
When we embrace who we are and how our brains work, we can figure out how to live out lives successfully and in turn, lead our families well.
At the end of the day, we just want to be good moms. Spoiler alert: you are already a great mom.
If you're ready to see that with your own two eyes, hit play and listen in as we love ourselves a little more each day of our ADHD lives. ADHD does NOT mean you're doomed to be a hot mess, mama!
You CAN rewrite your story from shame spiral to success story, and I'll be right here beside you to cheer you on!
With love, Patricia Sung, a fellow mama with ADHD
Free Resources and Transcriptions at: motherhoodinadhd.com
Connect with Patricia Sung on Instagram: www.instagram.com/motherhoodinadhd
Join like-minded mamas in our Successful Mama Meetups online community: https://www.patriciasung.com/meetup
Sign up for community, courses, coaching, and tons of free resources to learn about ADHD: www.patriciasung.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 14, 2022 • 17min
E139: Is an ADHD Self-Diagnosis Valid? 5 Reasons to get an ADHD diagnosis beyond getting a prescription for ADHD medication
How did you figure out you (possibly) have ADHD? We all have our own unique journey to an ADHD diagnosis. Maybe you have a formal diagnosis from a doctor and a prescription for ADHD medication, and it’s helping you live your best life. Or maybe your ADHD is self-diagnosed. You’ve done the research, you check all the boxes, you know in your heart that this is why you’re struggling, and you’re choosing to manage it on your own. What matters most is that you feel seen, supported, and encouraged. But what if you’re on the fence about getting a professional diagnosis for your ADHD? What if you're (understandably) concerned about the cost of care, or feeling overwhelmed by the process of finding the right doctor? Maybe you've had a bad experience in the past where you've felt uninformed, shamed, embarrassed, or doubted your own perspective. In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, I’ll share my thoughts on this topic. You’ll hear: - Why people decide to stick with ADHD self-diagnosis (Absolutely NO judgement here!) - Why the simple validation that you have ADHD can improve your mental health and wellbeing - 5 reasons why a formal diagnosis can improve your mental health, work and school accommodations, relationships with others, and more This episode will help you take the worry out of the equation and feel supported and validated that you are making the best decision for you. In 11 weeks, you’ll set up a smooth, low-stress plan for your mom life by designing your daily rhythms and routines fit for your ADHD brain. Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms is starting NOW! Join us here: bit.ly/adhdframework. Read the transcript and view the show notes on the Motherhood in ADHD blog.
Apr 7, 2022 • 44min
E138: Cycle Syncing your ADHD Parenting: How to Give Your Family the Best Version of Mom with Spicy Child Parenting Coach Mary Van Geffen
What’s wrong with my child? Why won’t they listen? Why is everything a negotiation? Why do I have to keep yelling, making threats, and going from 0-100 in a split second? What’s wrong with me? Mama–you’re not the first one to ask these questions. We’ve all flipped our lids, cried in the bathroom, felt horribly guilty for yelling at our kids and wondered, at the end of the day, if we’re just defective parents. What if there’s nothing wrong with your child, even though they’re a little…spicy? And what if there’s nothing wrong with you? What if a few more tools in your toolbelt are enough to be the kind and compassionate parent you want to be? Meet Mary Van Geffen, parenting coach for parents with spicy children. She’s helped thousands of moms practice staying calm, kind, and firm with their strong-willed children, and she’s a mom with ADHD, just like us. In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, Mary and I discuss: - Mary’s journey to her ADHD diagnosis and the self-acceptance that followed - Her struggles with parenting as an ADHD mom and Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and how tools like self-compassion help her cope with overstimulation - What it means to have a “spicy child,” and why we can stop trying to figure out “what’s wrong” with our kids - Self-regulation, self-compassion, and other practices that support us through parenting stress and overwhelm - Cycle syncing and parenting – how we can sync our parenting style with our menstrual cycle to plan activities around our energy levels and show up for our children as the best version of ourselves - The 1-minute meditation that helps you get out of your swirling mind and into the calmness of your body when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed During the episode, Mary mentions Rich Roll, who had Lisa Miller, PhD on his show (episode #654). She wrote the book called The Awaken Brain. Mary also mentions during the meditation Shirzad Chamine, who researched and wrote a book around Positive Intelligence. Find it here: We Should All Be Millionaires A big thank you to Mary Van Geffen for sharing her heart-centered wisdom with us! To learn more tools for parenting spicy children, follow Mary on Instagram at: @maryvangeffen Visit her website: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/ Or join the waitlist for her live, 8-week course, Moms of Spicy Ones: http://www.maryvangeffen.com/waitlist Learn how to organize your to-do list and your commitments to yourself in the Daily Planning for ADHD Moms course. Join here: bit.ly/adhdplan Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Mar 31, 2022 • 30min
E137: What's Your Escape Plan? 11 lessons from my solo ADHD mom self care vacation
Mama–when was the last time you spent time alone? And no–I don’t mean the 2 minutes you spend in the bathroom while the dog scratches at the door and you can hear someone yelling “moooom??” from some distant corner of the house. I mean real alone time–as in, away from your family, inaccessible, OFF THE CLOCK. Has it been a while? Have you…ever had any real alone time? If you haven’t, it’s understandable. Maybe you just can’t find the time. Or the childcare help. Maybe you feel selfish or wrong for taking time to yourself. We feel like we have to be the glue that holds families together, right? Without you, wouldn’t your family just…fall apart? Maybe. But maybe that’s okay. In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, I’ll share 11 lessons I learned from my first solo vacation as an ADHD mom, and more. We’ll talk about: -Overwhelmed moms who formed “escape plans”--from becoming a nun to checking into rehab (Yeah, motherhood is hard.) -How my vacation almost didn’t happen because my ADHD brain mixed up the dates and miscommunicated them to my spouse. -How I felt after getting 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep (YES, this really happened) -How stepping back can increase our kids’ resilience -Relationships and ADHD–why it’s so important for us to voice what’s in our head so our partners can understand how our extraordinary brains work -The time-driven nature of motherhood, and how getting “off the clock” can relieve anxiety for moms with ADHD -The difference between self-care and after-care, and why it matters -Chronic illness and motherhood–how you’re more capable than you think when you’ve slid into a dark spot As an ADHD mama, you’re already a superstar. Listen to this episode to find out how self-care can help you shine even brighter. Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms is starting NOW! In 11 weeks, you’ll design your daily rhythms and routines for a smooth and successful day. Join us here: bit.ly/adhdframework Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Mar 24, 2022 • 49min
E136: Should You Go to Therapy for your ADHD? How to Hire and Fire Your Therapist, Hobby Hopping, Cycle Breaking, and ADHD Friendship with Psychologist & BIPOC Advocate Dr. Han Ren
Have you ever wondered if you need therapy for your ADHD? That question can feel overwhelming for ADHD mamas. You’re thinking: Do I really need therapy if I’m not in crisis? What if my therapist doesn’t understand my ADHD brain? What if they tell me I’m just a hot mess and there’s no hope for improvement? What if I don’t like my therapist and I’m stuck in weekly sessions I don’t know how to get out of? I hear you mama, and I’ve been there. But what if I told you I knew someone who could answer all these questions–a licensed psychologist, consultant, speaker, educator, and most importantly–a mom with ADHD? Meet Dr. Han Ren–she’s our guest for this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, and she addresses all these questions and SO much more. We talk about: -Dr. Ren’s own journey to ADHD diagnosis, and how she felt like she was “tricking” her psychiatrist into prescribing stimulants (Until she realized she ACTUALLY needed them!) -The cultural impact of ADHD, breaking generational cycles, and how Dr. Ren worked to decondition her belief that it was a character flaw -Navigating friendship with ADHD–and how to handle it when you feel like you’ve been “too much” in your relationship -Normalizing indecision and changing your mind–why it’s totally okay to hobby hop -When to go to therapy–and how it can help ADHD moms thrive, even when we’re not in crisis -How to choose the right therapist for you, AND how to fire your therapist if they're not a good fit–no guilt, shame or ghosting necessary! -Parenting well with ADHD–Dr. Ren shares how it’s made her a more compassionate mom -How Dr. Han sucks at cleaning her house (YES, she really is just like us!) Mama, you deserve to feel your best, and if that means finding a therapist to walk through life with you, then I support you 100%, and this episode is for you! I want to thank Dr. Han Ren for gifting us with her incredible knowledge, inspiring activism, and empathy as an ADHD mom. https://www.amazon.com/What-My-Bones-Know-Healing/dp/0593238109/ref=nodl_ To watch Dr. Ren normalize therapy and lift up communities of color through relatable and educational content, follow her on Tik Tok: @drhanren and Instagram: @dr.han.ren To learn more about Dr. Ren’s therapy practice, visit her website. Get your life together next month when Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms opens for enrollment. In 11 weeks, you’ll design your daily rhythms and routines for a smooth and successful day. Join the waitlist here: bit.ly/tmmwaitlist Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Mar 17, 2022 • 11min
E135: Discounting Disability and Dismissing Disadvantages: Why We Don't All Have the Same 24 Hours in a Day
True or false: we all have the same 24 hours in a day…? If you said FALSE, you're 100% right, mama. Sure, we have 24 physical hours. But depending on our abilities, circumstances and responsibilities… Those hours look VERY different. To a carefree, neurotypical teenaged boy, an hour might feel like eternity. He can hang out with friends, do some homework, watch a show, eat some food. Leisurely. To a work-at-home mama of 3 with ADHD, dinner on the stove, laundry to fold, an appointment she's late for, keys she can't find (again) and a puppy that needs house training… Not so much. A 500lb barbell is the same weight to an Olympic weightlifting champion as it is to me! But he and I have a unique set of skills and abilities that mean he can lift it, while I just look at it and laugh. Time is the same way, friend. It's measured the same. But we are not all equipped equally in how we spend it. You’re putting in double the effort to get half the output than other people can. I see you. This week's episode of Motherhood in ADHD is your permission slip to STOP beating yourself up for being 'bad with time’ and not ‘hustling’ your way to success. Give it a listen and discover why you may have a different 24 hours than 'other moms.' And as always, head over to patriciasung.com/resources for loads of free tools to help you feel more in control of your day and life. Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Mar 12, 2022 • 24min
E134: Hate Reading and Math? You're Not Stupid! How Irlen Syndrome Affects Your Learning Affects Your Vision and Learning
Do you struggle with reading or math? Do you lose your place easily when working? Is reading sheet music ridiculously hard? Well, it might not be your eyes OR your ADHD, mama. It might be something called Irlen Syndrome. Not only does it tend to go along with ADHD (& autism!), it can lead to misdiagnosis. Irlen Syndrome, also called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, is a perceptual processing disorder, not a vision problem. For those of us who have it, it can lead to some funky vision impairment and: - Extreme light sensitivity - Wanting/needing to read in dim light - Seeing waves or “rivers” in between the lines of text as we read - Poor depth perception - Bad coordination issues & clumsiness - Low self-esteem or motivation …and more. However, even if you get this diagnosis, there’s good news: There are things that can help! Tune in to this week’s episode of Motherhood in ADHD to find out more about this condition and learn what you can do to counter these tough symptoms, including what symptoms to look for in children. Learn more about Irlen Syndrome. Free download of color filter for your computer screen. And if you’re tired of labeling yourself as a disorganized hot mess mama and could use some real life organization skills designed specifically for ADHD mamas… Click here to learn more about Daily Planning for ADHD Moms - where you’ll learn how your unique brain can best use a Planner and a To Do List to stay organized and on track. Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Mar 3, 2022 • 40min
E133: Too Many Ideas? 3 steps to Step into a Visionary Role as an ADHD Mama: Recognizing your value and ADHD strengths with Angel McElhaney
Do you judge yourself, mama? Do you ever wonder why YOU’RE the mom who can’t seem to keep it all together? Why you hop from idea to idea, project to project, and can’t seem to stay organized enough to get anything DONE? This week’s episode is permission to knock it THE HECK off. We’re talking to multi-passionate entrepreneur, professional idea hopper, and mom of 4, Angel McElhaney. She’s an ADHD mom, just like you, who used to think there was something wrong with being the big picture idea person instead of the nitty gritty details lady… Until she realized there’s magic here. We’ll hear from Angel how her life and motherhood changed when she embraced one of the superpowers of her ADHDness. Listen as she explains the difference between being a visionary - the idea person - and an integrator - the doer. Friend, be prepared to be extraordinarily impressed with yourself and your abilities after this episode. And bring a pen because we talk about real life hacks that’ll give you some a-ha moments, guaranteed. Catch up with Angel here: Website: www.angelmcelhaney.com Social Media: @angel.McElhaney @controlthechaosmamapodcast @podcastschoolforsquirrels Join our free Facebook Community for Moms with ADHD. Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Feb 24, 2022 • 50min
E132: Time Management Mastery Student Spotlight: Was It Worth It? ADHD Moms Tell All
“Less crying. Less meltdowns. And that’s just for me!” That’s what Jess, Time Management Mastery graduate & ADHD mom of 2 said after her 11 weeks in the Time Management Mastery program. Instead of listing all the life-changing features you’ll find inside of Time Management Mastery, this week we’re letting you hear it from your peers… The moms who’ve walked every day in your shoes. They’ve lived through the chaos, guilt, frustration and loneliness of ADHD motherhood. But thanks to Time Management Mastery, they’re no longer hanging on by a thread. They’re letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations, and learning how to trust themselves. These mamas understand more of their ADHD brains, empowering them to build the life they want to live. In this week's episode, you’ll hear from Jess, Mel and Dominique. Moms just like you who’ve been treading water and barely keeping their heads above the surface. Sick of ending each day feeling frazzled and upset… They took the leap to ask for help. Now hear how they’ve gone from hot mess express to smooth(ish) operators. They’ll share their a-ha moments and biggest takeaways as they transformed their lives with Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms. You’re not alone, mama. Take a few moments to listen to this episode and if the ONLY thing you take away is the realization that you belong to this amazing group of women… It’ll be worth it. Sign up for Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms here: bit.ly/adhdframework Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Feb 17, 2022 • 22min
E131: Is Your ADHD Holding You Back? How to be Successful when you have ADHD
Are you an ADHD mom who’s tired of barely treading water? Sick of ending each day feeling depressed and frustrated with yourself? I get it, mama. You start every day with the best intentions. But somewhere between kids, work, laundry, the puppy that keeps peeing on the floor, the bills you forgot to pay AGAIN, and so. much. more… It all feels like too much. If you’re like me, you’d LOVE to have solid routines for morning and bedtime… You’d kill to be able to stick to a schedule and just feel so much more organized. But… Planners, programs, and experts haven’t been able to help you because they’re designed for those brains that can just ‘decide’ to do something and then…do it. AKA: not your brain. It’s time to stop fighting against the way your amazing brain works, my friend. Episode 131 dives into a unique new resource created JUST for moms with ADHD so they can work WITH their unique brains to finally master time management. If you’re ready to say goodbye to always feeling behind and just surviving motherhood…This episode is for you. Discover the step-by-step process that’ll take you from Hot Mess Express to Time Management Master. Prefer reading? Click here to read the transcription of this episode.
Feb 10, 2022 • 1h 13min
E130: Live Coaching: Make a Daily Schedule that Fits Your ADHD Brain and Mom Life with Time Management Mastery Student Amanda
Not all experts are created equal. There’s literally an expert for EVERYTHING under the sun. Productivity, positivity, mindfulness, fashion, health, wellness, love, parenting… Pick any topic and there’s someone shouting their opinions about it. Yes, they offer tons of information, insight, and guidance and help LOTS of people. The problem is…many of these experts are spouting advice from a neurotypical brain FOR a neurotypical brain. Now don’t get it twisted…I’m not saying ADHD brains can’t latch on and get great value from some of those experts. What I’m saying is there’s a big gap in the information given and how ADHD brains processes that information. And for ADHD moms who are trying to get their crap together and finally start having FUN being as a mother…all of this “expert” advice can leave them feeling frustrated, defeated, and totally helpless. Have you ever found a system from the latest productivity book and tried implementing it in your life and it just didn’t work? Did you think, “I’m trying all these things they say to do…WHHHHY won’t these strategies work for me!?” Well, on today’s episode we’ll talk with an ADHD mom and Time Management Mastery student, Amanda, about her journey with ADHD. She talks about how she kicked non-ADHD standards out the window and opted for ADHD systems created BY and FOR ADHD brains. We cover #allthethings including: - Common ADHD misdiagnosis (bipolar, anxiety, depression) - How Time Management Mastery was developed and how it helps - Why learning to manage our time is important for our kids - Creating a system that builds in FLEXIBILITY for ADHD - Overcoming obstacles and finding JOY in being an ADHD mom If you often struggle with managing your day-to-day life…I encourage you to join the waitlist for Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms. Amanda's story is a true testament of what can happen when ADHD moms finally decide to do things differently and create systems that work for THEIR minds. The waitlist is still open for the next session of Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms. Be the FIRST to know when doors open and get a special BONUS for being an early bird for once. Join the waitlist here ---> https://bit.ly/tmmwaitlist Click here for full transcript.
