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
Aug 12, 2021 • 23min
E102: Emotional Regulation and Support for Overwhelmed Parents with Adult ADHD with Dr. Edward Hallowell
This week we welcome back one of my favorite ADHD experts, Dr. Ned Hallowell. As an ADHD parent raising ADHD kids, Ned has the experience of raising his grown children, and his message of forgiveness and patience with ourselves is one I could listen to on repeat. He shares how to repair when we lose it on our kids. Because we will lose it. We also discuss how the DSM doesn't cover a major part of ADHD - the emotional regulation - and how we can work towards changing the perception of ADHD among others, ADHD medication, and the plethora of misinformation out there. I can't wait for you to hear this ADHD gold from the fairy godfather of ADHD himself, Dr. Edward Hallowell. If you haven't yet, go back and listen to Part 1 of our chat. Ned and I talked about using our strengths, overcoming hurdles, negative self talk, the power of connection, and Ned did not shy away from sharing his own childhood trauma, which affects the way he loves on others and the way he parented his now grown children who also have ADHD. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D. is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD. He has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself. Dr. Hallowell is a New York Times bestselling author of the groundbreaking Distraction series, which began with Driven to Distraction, co-authored with Dr John Ratey in 1994, sparked a revolution in understanding of ADHD, and they continue with their latest book, ADHD 2.0. Dr. Hallowell also hosts the Distraction podcast. Learn more at drhallowell.com Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills tailored for ADHD moms.
Aug 10, 2021 • 26min
E101: A Successful Dad's Adult ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Dr. Edward Hallowell: Turning childhood trauma into a mission of helping others with ADHD succeed
This week we welcome one of my favorite ADHD experts, Dr. Ned Hallowell, to share his ADHD story. Ned and I talked about using our strengths, overcoming hurdles, negative self talk, the power of connection, and Ned did not shy away from sharing his own childhood trauma, which affects the way he loves on others and the way he parented his now grown children who also have ADHD. I can't wait for you to hear this ADHD gold from the fairy godfather of ADHD himself, Dr. Edward Hallowell. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that Part 2 shows up on your app immediately. Next week, we'll talk with Ned about parenting with ADHD and how to repair when we lose it on our kids. We also discuss how the DSM doesn't cover a major part of ADHD - the emotional regulation - and how we can work towards changing the perception of ADHD among others, ADHD medication, and the plethora of misinformation out there and his advice as a parent who is on the other side. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D. is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD. He has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself. Dr. Hallowell is a New York Times bestselling author of the groundbreaking Distraction series, which began with Driven to Distraction, co-authored with Dr John Ratey in 1994, sparked a revolution in understanding of ADHD, and they continue with their latest book, ADHD 2.0. Dr. Hallowell also hosts the Distraction podcast. Learn more at drhallowell.com Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills tailored for ADHD moms.
Jul 8, 2021 • 16min
E100: How do I overcome the ADHD energy roller coaster and be more productive? Q+A Session
Mama, 100 episodes!?! High fives all around! I hear this one a lot: How can we have more energy for the whole day? How can we do more, be more, get more done? You asked; I answered. We get frustrated that we can't go at the same speed all day long. We're irritated that our day is an energy roller coaster. But why do we think we need to go-go-go from sun up to sun down? Perhaps the issue is not that we can't be uber productive 24/7, but instead that we expect ourselves to be as consistent as a robot. Energy regulation is a difficult part of ADHD. Maybe we need to lower the bar. Let's discuss. Ready to get your day organized? Join Daily Planning for ADHD Moms, where we learn how to keep a calendar and organize our to do lists in an ADHD and mom friendly way. The Back to School Bonus starts today with 20% off the class!
Jul 1, 2021 • 6min
E099: Should I Tell My Child They Have ADHD? Advice from a Mom who has ADHD: Q+A Session
Should I tell my child he or she has ADHD? You asked; I answered. This question frequently plagues parents of children with ADHD. We worry about labeling our kids, how others will treat our ADHD kids, if the label makes life harder, if our child will not overcome it, and on the anxiety spiral spins. Here's what I do know as an adult who has ADHD, was not diagnosed until adulthood, and didn't have the knowledge. Do I wish someone would have told me I have ADHD? What will you child attribute their differences to if they don't know they have ADHD? And if you do tell your child they have ADHD, what does that conversation look like? Here's some quick thoughts on this hefty question. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills tailored for ADHD moms.
Jun 24, 2021 • 7min
E098: Feeling Resentful Towards Your ADHD Brain? How to Accept Your ADHD and Work With It Instead of Against It: Q+A Session
How can we start to accept who we are and how our brain works? You asked; I answered. Here's another question I get often from other folks with ADHD. Keep in mind, I've known about my ADHD for 20 years, so granted, I've got some experience to draw from. It's taken me a while, and yes, I still get frustrated with myself. I'm a human, not robot. My ADHD is part of me. It affects every part of my life, but it's not WHO I am. My ADHD is not all of me, not everything I am. You, too, can take steps towards accepting your differences and obstacles, and working towards being a little more okay with who you are. Here's some quick thoughts on this hefty question. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills tailored for ADHD moms.
Jun 17, 2021 • 13min
E097: Ask The Experts Roundtable: 8 Strategies for Overwhelmed ADHD Moms to Take Care of Yourself During Stressful Times! Self Care for Women with Adult ADHD
How can we, as moms with ADHD, take care of ourselves? Today I've got 8 new friends for you. Everyone is either a mama with ADHD or a professional who works with moms like us; many of them are both. These ladies are sharing with us what works for our amazing brains. We've been talking about self-care the last few months because self care got a bad rap recently -- self care is not about taking a bubble bath or spending time in luxury. Self care is literally that - taking care of yourself. How can you take of your family if you don't take care of yourself? News flash: you are an integral part of your family. You are valuable, too. You deserve care. You need rest. So where do we start taking care of mom? Listen in as these experts share. Carrie Ann Burt Instagram: @carrieannburt Facebook: @thejoyfullmom Podcast: Joyfull Mom on Apple Podcasts IngerShaye Colzie Instagram: @IngerShaye Facebook: Black Women with ADHD www.ingershaye.com Dr. Laura Froyen Instagram: @laurafroyenphd Facebook: @laurafroyen YouTube: www.laurafroyen.com/youtube Self compassion meditation download: www.laurafroyen.com/compassion https://www.laurafroyen.com/ Wendy Griffith Instagram: @wendygriffith_livehealthy Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthythrivingcareermums Website & healthy habits guide download: https://www.wendygriffith.co.uk/ Dr. Sam Hiew Instagram: @adhd_girls adhdgirls.co.uk Luz Jaramillo Instagram: @brainbodycoach Linked In: Luz Jaramillo https://brainbodycoach.com/ Carolyn Robistow Instagram: @carolynrobistow http://drinklesscoach.com/ Katy Weber Instagram @womenandadhdpodcast www.womenandadhd.com Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills tailored for ADHD moms.
Jun 10, 2021 • 11min
E096: Stop the fighting: How do I get my spouse to understand my ADHD? How do I help my partner understand our ADHD child? Q+A Session
You asked; I answered: How do I get my spouse to understand my ADHD? How do I help my partner understand our ADHD child? ADHD is a family affair! It doesn't only affect the person who has it. The entire family is hurt by this neurological disorder. That means that it can also be a huge point of contention in a family. But how can we get a neurotypical person to understand what it is like inside our brains? Are there books they can read or videos they can watch to learn about ADHD? What can they do to be better partners to us? Don't they get that we're not just lazy??? Listen in and I'll give you my 2 cents on the topic. @drbeckyatgoodinside @drannlouise.lockhart Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills meant for ADHD moms.
Jun 3, 2021 • 15min
E095: Stop the Summer Chaos! 5 Simple Steps to creating a flexible summer schedule for the ADHD family. Q&A Session
It's the first week of June and your kids are either home now or about to be home for the whole summer. That is 3 unstructured months of chaos ahead of you ... but it doesn't have to be! You asked; I answered: What does your summer schedule look like? With a few minutes of planning your create a flexible structure to fit any family during the summer break, and all year long. No need to panic nor roll your eyes at me! Having a schedule doesn't mean you're stuck with a minute by minute inflexible itinerary sucking the fun out of every hour. Your summer vacation can still be full of fun and freedom and impromptu activities, without you losing your sanity on the daily. Having a running list of activities to keep everyone entertained keeps my stress down and decision fatigue low. There's no scrambling around in the morning trying to figure out "Mom, what are we going to do today?" Or the wasted mornings where I can't figure out what the answer is and all of the sudden it's lunch time, and I still don't know what we're going to do today and it's half over! Today we're walking through what the schedule set up looks like, as well as how I have implemented that framework for our family with specifics on time and activities. Our family has used this basic schedule for multiple years, and we adapt it as our kids grow from babies to toddlers to preschoolers to elementary school to adults (that's for me, the mom.) Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Sign up for class now: Learn how to manage your daily life with productivity skills meant for ADHD moms.
May 27, 2021 • 28min
E094: What is Mindfulness and How Can We Get Started, plus A Mindfulness Exercise for ADHD with Taucha Post
We're continuing our discussion on mindfulness with Taucha Post. In our last episode, we discussed how mindfulness improves our ADHD symptoms, how mindfulness and ADHD are connected in the brain, along with shame, perfectionism, and setting ourselves up for success instead of letting the failure mindset take over. What is mindfulness and how do we get started practicing mindfulness? Learning a few basic mindfulness techniques will give you a free ADHD treatment that you can practice throughout your day and with your children. It's easy to get started with mindfulness for ADHD with the mindfulness exercises Taucha shares. Let's discuss what mindfulness is and what it isn't, bust through common myths about mindfulness, and then Taucha will walk us through a short and peaceful mindfulness exercise you can do at home with me. So grab a tasty beverage, and settle in for a warm hug of a chat with Taucha. Taking care of yourself is a basic requirement of living - like food and water - not a luxury item. Self-care can and must be done in every stage of motherhood. Get ready - let's figure out what self-care truly fits you. You are worthy. You are valuable. You are not alone. Did you listen last time when Taucha shared her Adult ADHD journey and shared how mindfulness helps ADHD symptoms? Be sure to listen to part 1 and 2 in Episodes 92 and 93 to hear her late diagnosis story and how mindfulness affects our brains. Come'on. Meet your fellow (future) Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Taucha mentions John Kabat-Zinn Follow Taucha on instagram @adhd.yoga for her free mindfulness practices on Mondays at noon Eastern Join a free class on her website www.adhdyoga.com
May 20, 2021 • 35min
E093: Mindfulness Techniques and ADHD: Treatment for ADHD Symptoms with Taucha Post
One of the best (and free) treatments for ADHD is mindfulness. But what is mindfulness and how do we get started practicing mindfulness? Taucha Post of ADHD Yoga is sharing with us all about our brains and how mindfulness creates new pathways for us to learn how to slow down our brains, and present in the moment. We'll also dive into how mindfulness and ADHD are connected in the brain, and how the default mode network distracts us from our task at hand. Taucha and I also trudge through shame, perfectionism, and setting ourselves up for success instead of letting the failure mindset take over. Learning a few basic mindfulness techniques will give you a free ADHD treatment that you can practice throughout your day and with your children. It's easy to get started with mindfulness for ADHD with the mindfulness techniques Taucha will teach us. Incorporating mindfulness for an ADHD child is easier than we think. Taking care of yourself is a basic requirement of living - like food and water - not a luxury item. Self-care can and must be done in every stage of motherhood. Get ready - let's figure out what self-care truly fits you. You are worthy. You are valuable. You are not alone. Did you listen last week when Taucha shared her Adult ADHD journey? Be sure to listen to part 1 in Episode 92 to hear her late diagnosis story and how she learned to love her ADHD brain. Hit Subscribe so that part 3 shows up on your phone right away. Come'on. Meet your fellow (future) Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Taucha mentions John Kabat-Zinn Patricia's episode on Letting Go of Thoughts Follow Taucha on instagram @adhd.yoga for her free mindfulness practices on Mondays at noon Eastern Join a free class on her website www.adhdyoga.com
