Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHD
Patricia Sung | ADHD Coach for Moms with ADHD
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
Dec 14, 2021 • 5min
My 40th Birthday Gift for You
Today is my 40th birthday! As I celebrate a new decade, I'm taking a moment to appreciate all of you, and say thank you for your support. I want your 2022 to be start off with you feeling confident and capable about how you approach your day. As Annie Dillard says, "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." This is why I created Daily Planning for ADHD Moms for you. To build a life that you love - and that starts by knowing how you want to run your day, using a system that is set up by an ADHD brain for your ADHD brain. And fits mom life. We learn how to keep up with our calendar and tackle the mile-long to do list, so that you can stop feeling the shame of forgetting appointments or "not doing anything today" and start feeling good about yourself again. My birthday flash sale starts today and runs through Thursday, December 16th, so use the coupon code HAPPY40 and snag Daily Planning for ADHD Moms for $40 off in honor of my 40th trip around the sun. Sign up at bit.ly/adhdplan Next year is going to be your year to bloom, so let's see where you go, and how you change and grow! Click here for transcription.
Dec 9, 2021 • 37min
E122: Tantrum or ADHD Meltdown? How to Deal with our Children's BIG Emotions with Dr. Laura Froyen
Don't "manage emotions". Understand them instead. Dr. Laura Froyen is our guest this week and she digs into the underlying causes that propel our kiddo's BIG FEELINGS. Listen to this episode to learn more about: Understanding the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown Why and when our children might need to "borrow" regulation from us How to react and what to say when your child seems inconsolable The importance of allowing feelings and emotions to move through the body without getting stuck Learning more about emotional regulation helps us ALL understand our big feelings and unpack the root cause behind the emotion. The way she speaks with kindness and patience in her voice is not only because she is a professional in the field of emotional regulation, she's also a mother...a mother with ADHD at that. So she gets it, Successful Mama. We can do this! Teaching a child how to self-regulate their emotions can feel like an uphill battle, especially when we struggle with it ourselves. But with the right information and the right support...YOU CAN make progress and YOU WILL help your child understand the information UNDER the emotion. You got this. Speaking of support and resources, head over to my website to download a plethora of helpful ADHD tools and resources to help you navigate your world as an ADHD mom. Download your free resources at patriciasung.com/resources Oh - and I popped in a little hint about an upcoming surprise I have in store for you. Make sure you tune in next week to see what it is! Post any tactics you've found to help your kiddo through their BIG emotions in the comments. The more information the better! Dr. Lauren Froyen has her Ph.D. in human development and family studies and has been helping individuals, partners, and co-parents become the parents they truly want to be. She uses her experience specializing in marriage and family therapy to help restore balance and compassion to families while bringing calm and JOY back into their daily lives. Follow her on Instagram and check out her podcast here. You can also join her Facebook Community here. Links to things mentioned in this episode: The Invisible String Book The Kissing Hands Book The Purrble Calming Toy Companion The Enchanted Life: Reclaiming the Magic and Wisdom of the Natural World Looking for a little more added support? There's a place for you! Join here >>> JOIN THE MOTHERHOOD IN ADHD COMMUNITY Click here for transcription.
Dec 2, 2021 • 32min
E121: Estrogen, Progesterone, and Your Menstrual Cycle: Do scientific research studies prove that our ADHD symptoms are affected by our hormone levels? with Dr. Michelle Martel
What is scientific research REALLY doing for women with ADHD? It might *feel* like there is no research being done to help women with ADHD...but my guest today has insight into what's ACTUALLY going on behind the scientific research curtain. Dr. Michelle Martel, a professor and Director of Clinical Training of Psychology for the University of Kentucky, utilizes a translational, "bench to bedside" perspective to examine developmental pathways to Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using multiple levels of analysis. Her bio is impressive and our conversation is SO GOOD. Her research uncovers what's really going on in the brains of people with ADHD and further - figures out what's going on internally with our hormones. Dr. Martel brings tons of knowledge around how our hormonal fluctuations affect our ADHD symptoms AND what that means for our mental and emotional health. I'm thankful for people like Dr. Martel who have dedicated time and energy to helping the ADHD community. Her research is not only fascinating, it gives YOU, Successful Mama, options to improve your life by understanding your body. DID YOU KNOW? There's a place where you can get your calendar and to-do list organized one step at a time, so you enjoy more time with your kids while feeling confident + capable in your day... even when your ADHD hijacks your plan. Register for Daily Planning for ADHD Moms - sign up here --> bit.ly/adhdplan Looking for a little more added support? There's a place for you! Here >>> JOIN THE MOTHERHOOD IN ADHD COMMUNITY Click here for transcription.
Nov 25, 2021 • 14min
E120: 4 Things You Should Do To Prepare for Your ADHD Diagnosis Appointment: Taking the fear out of this intimidating and scary step: Q+A Session
ADHD is NOT well understood by most doctors. I know, shocking, right? We often expect our doctors to be the "know all, be all, end all" of medical information, and as much as they want to help us... they just don't get the in-depth training necessary on every single area... And ADHD is one of them. This Q&A session covers my top recommendations when it comes to prepping for an ADHD Diagnosis appointment. Don't get me wrong, I truly believe most doctors want to help us and their hearts are in the right place. I also believe it's important to be our own advocates by making sure we understand our diagnosis and we're prepared to ask the right questions. The question, "How should I prepare for my ADHD Diagnosis appointment?" comes up a lot so I thought it was time I shared my two cents on the subject. Don't worry, Successful Mama. The info in this episode will help you feel confident talking with your doctor about your options and what the right path FOR you will be on your ADHD journey. What other tips would you give someone who's about to talk to their doctor about getting an ADHD diagnosis? Drop your thoughts in the comments. P.s. Real quick - I wanted to mention the totally free Motherhood in ADHD Facebook community. If you're looking for other moms who "get it"...I invite you to join us. Always accepting new members. :-) Click here for transcription.
Nov 18, 2021 • 9min
E119: Teaching your ADHD Child Chores and Responsibilities as an ADHD Parent… how on earth do I teach my child skills I don't even have??? Q+A Session
How am I going to teach my kid to be good at stuff that even I'm not good at? Today's episode is an ADHD Q&A session focused on helping you find ways to teach your child the important life skills they need to be responsible adults. Okay, so maybe you aren't great at being on time or keeping up with laundry or remembering someone's name...but there are lots of things that you ARE GOOD at. Let's focus on the good stuff, shall we? Listen and learn how you can use what you ARE good at to create a path that helps your kiddo learn those life skills and reminds you that you ARE a Successful Mama. One quick tip - keep things simple and positive. I hope this episode helps you realize teaching responsibility to your child doesn't have to feel overwhelming or scary. You got this! Oh, and since you're here I want to remind you I have some free resources to help you, parent, as a mom with ADHD. There are LOTS of goodies for you so head over to the resource page on my website and grab them up. patriciasung.com/resources Click here for transcription.
Nov 11, 2021 • 29min
E118: How to Help & Equip Your ADHD Child with Katelyn Mabry
Showing our kids success with ADHD is 100% obtainable for them is NOT impossible. Today is Part 2 of a conversation I was lucky enough to have with my friend Katelyn Mabry. (If you missed us last week go check out Episode 117 and hurry back!) Katelyn's a special education teacher and author who grew up having an ADHD diagnosis and that led her to want to help others like her through teaching. During this episode, Katelyn gets deeper into her professional opinions about: - How to explain to your child that they have ADHD - What to do to teach them new responsibilities and skills - How to help our ADHD children move forward when they are feeling stuck - And what we can do to connect with our kids on a deeper level to form solid safe foundations. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by a potential ADHD diagnosis for your kiddo or if you're already there and still working out how to talk with your child about their ADHD THIS is the episode for you, Successful Mama! Check out Katlyn's book, "Hi, It's Me! I have ADHD!" and her podcast for kids titled "Journey With Me Through ADHD." Special thanks to Katelyn for hanging out with me and sharing her empathy-inducing knowledge with us! Learn more about Katelyn on her website here and check out her book "Hi, It's Me! I Have ADHD" on Amazon. You can listen to her podcast, Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. REMINDER: There's a place where you can get your calendar and to-do list organized one step at a time, so you enjoy more time with your kids while feeling confident + capable in your day... even when your ADHD hijacks your plan. Sign-ups for Daily Planning for ADHD Moms are open! Click here to sign up --> bit.ly/adhdplan Listen to full episodes at www.motherhoodwithadhd.com or find us on your favorite podcast listening app. Click here for transcription.
Nov 4, 2021 • 27min
E117: Afraid of Labeling Your ADHD Child? Plus How to Talk About Your ADHD with Your Kids: A Successful Mama's Adult ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Katelyn Mabry
When we approach ADHD with empathy and understanding everyone wins. Today I chat with special education teacher and author Katelyn Mabry about her experience growing up with an ADHD diagnosis, which led her down the path of teaching. Her ADHD influences how she approaches teaching, and how she navigates being a mother with ADHD. Katelyn shares some great insights that demystify why we shouldn't fear the ADHD label, but rather we how we can embrace it. When we're able to understand the reasoning behind our struggles, it can only help us make positive future progress. We discussed labeling our kids, our own feelings of fear and uncertainty, and how we ADHD'ers tend to have a lower sense of self-worth and confidence, mostly due to lack of information. She coaches us by teaching our kids to accept and feel comfortable around people who are different from us, and why it's important to lead by example the best we can. You've heard it before, our kiddos are like little sponges! The way Katelyn has made educating kids and parents about ADHD to help them understand how we can all learn to approach any "disability" with more curiosity and empathy, rather than judgment or criticism is downright inspiring. Part 1 of this conversation with my friend Katelyn is packed full of all kinds of relatable goodness, Successful Mama! Check out Katelyn's book, "Hi, It's Me! I have ADHD!" and her latest venture - a podcast for kids titled "Journey With Me Through ADHD. Katelyn lives in Wisconsin with her husband and 4 young kids. Her passion is to speak into the hearts and minds of children and families with ADHD so they all feel connected and understood! Speaking of feeling connected...it's one of the main reasons I created the Motherhood in ADHD Facebook community that's totally free. If you're not a member of that group yet - head on over and join today! Special thanks to Katelyn for hanging out with me and sharing her empathy-inducing knowledge with us! Learn more about Katelyn on her website here and check out her book "Hi, It's Me! I Have ADHD" on Amazon. You can listen to her podcast, Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Looking for a little more added support? There's a place for you! Here >>> JOIN THE MOTHERHOOD IN ADHD COMMUNITY Click here for transcription.
Oct 28, 2021 • 42min
E116: Cycle Synching Basics for ADHD Women: Your Hormones are Your Energy Superpower
Hold up...You're telling me we can harness the power of our cycles by syncing our activities with our hormone and energy fluctuations!? Can we say mind blown? When I learned how cycle syncing helps women create a lifestyle based on their own body's natural flow of hormonal changes, I was hooked. And then, finding out how our menstrual cycles & our hormones affect our ADHD symptoms and energy levels, I went into full hyperfocus mode: Chronic fatigue and energy regulation are serious issues for women with ADHD. I know this chat with wellness guru and creator of The Productive Mum community AND podcast, Sara-Jane Ladums (aka SJ) is going to help soooo many ADHD mamas. She and I dive into the basics of cycle syncing and: - the struggles and symptoms we face during our cycles - how what we eat affects our hormonal levels - learning to accept our bodies and work WITH what's going on internally - how we can use our cycle to understand our energy regulation - why an analogy of the seasons can help us understand the phases of our cycles Cycle syncing is absolutely fascinating and it doesn't have to be overly complicated. There are lots of simple ways you can implement the awareness of it into your daily life. Think about ALL the things going on in your bodies...would you be willing to make a couple of tweaks so you allow yourself to feel and be your best? If so - I encourage you to consider learning more about cycle syncing. I want you to realize how you can set your body up for success by listening to what your body needs, and making sure to support it with understanding and grace. You live in an amazing body that can grow an entire human, mama. I hope you enjoy all the info and advice that SJ gives during this conversation. I was soaking up alllll the goodness and I want you to know, you can feel better in your body. Special thanks to SJ for hanging out with me and sharing her energy-giving knowledge with us! Learn more about SJ on her website here and check out The Productive Mum Academy here while you're at it. REMINDER: There's a place where you can get your calendar and to-do list organized one step at a time, so you enjoy more time with your kids while feeling confident + capable in your day... even when your ADHD hijacks your plan. Sign-ups for Daily Planning for ADHD Moms are open! Click here to sign up --> bit.ly/adhdplan JOIN THE MOTHERHOOD IN ADHD COMMUNITY Links to things mentioned in this episode: The Stefanie Gass Show - Episode 338: Instagram Detox Click here for transcription.
Oct 21, 2021 • 25min
E115: Does your menstrual cycle affect your ADHD? Hormones, periods, and ADHD symptoms
All right, today we're talking about the elephant in the room: MENSTRUAL CYCLES. I know, I know - not everyone's favorite subject! But it's something we all deal with so we might as well discuss how our hormones and our periods affect us as mamas with ADHD. When you think about hormones, think about HOW MUCH your body has evolved through your life. Adolescence, puberty, pregnancy, postpartum...there's no denying everything's in flux pretty much all the time. So, the question is what do we REALLY need to know and how can we navigate our ADHD symptoms while our bodies are on a constant hormonal roller coaster? Sadly, there isn't a lot of research on the topic but there are a few really great resources that I'm excited to share in today's episode! Don't worry mama...I got you! I did a looooot of digging and I think you'll love the tools and resources I'm sharing. They'll shed some light on how our bodies work and what to do to be even MORE successful and gracious with ourselves as a woman with ADHD. Plus a big thank you to my friend and mentor, ADHD Coach Elizabeth Brink, for the research help! @coachelizabethbrink Want to dive in more? This topic comes up sometimes during our weekly group support calls for Daily Planning for ADHD Moms course. It's currently open for enrollment! Let's get your calendar crap and to-do list organized one step at a time, so you feel confident + capable in your day, even when your ADHD hijacks your plan. Click here to sign up --> bit.ly/adhdplan Join us in the Motherhood in ADHD Community Support Group on Facebook! Next week we're diving into cycle syncing! When I first understood how cycle syncing worked and started implementing it into my life...it was a GAME CHANGER! Links to things we talked about on today's show: The ADHD Enclave Glowing Period Tracking App Hormones for Life Article PubMed Article - Prevalence of hormone-related mood disorder symptoms in women with ADHD Healthline Article - How to Work with Your Period, Not Against It YouTube Video - Your Menstrual Cycle Is More Than Just Your Period OurBodies Ourselves Article Medical News Today Article - How can your period affect bowel movements? Links Use these links to save on products I mentioned today: $10 Toward your purchase of Thinx Period Panties $5 Off Flex Click here for transcription.
Oct 14, 2021 • 28min
E114: Struggling at Work? How to Overcome and Succeed in Business and Life with ADHD: Live with Jessi Romero of ADHD Female Entrepreneurs
If you didn't know - Fishbowl allows users to have live conversations with the audience! This episode features some great convos with people just like you! This Part 2 of my convo with the amazing Jessi Romero is FULL of great advice and juicy ideas that will really help ADHD moms and really ANYONE with ADHD. We cover great tips on: Ideas on organizing your workday Useful Tools & Software we swear by Blending digital and physical tools to maximize time Routines and why they're important for our ADHD Brains How to stay motivated while navigating life with ADHD ADHD brains are wired differently and we have to remind ourselves to lean into our ADHD so we can use it to our advantage! If you struggle with consistency, prioritizing, imposter syndrome, or managing the roller coaster of emotion/energy as a mama with ADHD, THIS is the episode for you. Jessi shows us you ARE SUCCESSFUL as a person with ADHD. Juggling #allthethings isn't easy - but when we simplify it helps us manage our energy and makes us feel confident as we move through our everyday lives. More info about Jessi: Jessi is a Houston Colombian-American toddler mom that started a community in 2020 that has grown over to 35,000 ADHD'ers today that are either wanting to jump into entrepreneurship or currently running their own businesses. She got tired of trying all the neurotypical advice for business owners and failing one too many times at it. Now she coaches ADHD Entrepreneurs how to structure their business to their brain and implement growth strategies that don't make them cringe or worse, burn out. Reminder: Daily Planning for ADHD Moms course and weekly accountability group is OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! Let's get your calendar and to-do list organized and create a plan for your day. Click here to sign up --> bit.ly/adhdplan Join us in the Motherhood in ADHD Community Support Group on Facebook! Click here for transcription. Links to things we talked about on today's show: Project Management Tools: Click up Asana Notion Google Docs Jessi's IG Post w/ Chrome Extension Info Momentum Books we suggested: Atomic Habits - James Clear Smarter-Faster-Better - Charles Duhigg Podcast Jessi Recommends: Jim Fortin Podcast
