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
May 14, 2021 • 27min
E092: A Successful Mama's Adult ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Taucha Post - Women + Girls with ADHD
Mindfulness feels like a really lofty goal for an ADHD brain ...almost unattainable. Yet mindfulness is an ADHD treatment that is recommended over and over again. I was not convinced. Until I met Taucha Post on instagram, @adhd.yoga. I had to know how an ADHD brain can be mindful! This week Taucha shares with us her diagnosis story, having been diagnosed as an adult woman with ADHD. ADHD in girls looks different, so we're talking about Taucha's ADHD symptoms, and what she does to take care of herself through mindfulness for ADHD. Hit subscribe so that next week's episode lands on your phone immediately. In the next two episodes, we'll dive into what mindfulness is (and isn't), the different parts of the brain that ADHD affects, why it's good for ADHD brains, how our ADHD symptoms improve with mindfulness, where to start, and how we can incorporate it into our daily life, including mindfulness for ADHD children. 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
May 6, 2021 • 18min
E091: This ONE THING will create daily confidence, productivity, stop the chaos, and organize your life!
Just one? Really. Big changes come from baby steps. This is baby step 1 of planning your day. But HOW did I figure out how to plan my day in a way that works WITH my ADHD brain instead of against it? Step 1 is learning how to write events in our calendar. Our chaotic brains need ONE system. ONE plan. When we harness the power of the planner, it can change the course of your day. Your day starts off smoother and you are prepared for what is happening. But, we can't do planners the way everyone else does planners, as evidenced by the stack of partially used planners sitting on our shelves. We need a calendar system that works WITH our ADHD brains. When we first consider our time blindness, lack of task initiation skills, motivation to stick with the schedule, and the shame spiral of failed planners past, then - and only then - can we build a system that works for us instead of against us. If you're ready for some help on making a schedule for ADHD, I've figured out a way to make calendars work for ADHD brains and I want to share it with you. Friday is the last day to sign up for this round of How to Keep a Calendar for ADHD Brains, so head over to patriciasung.com/adhdcalendar now to jump in or sign up for the next round. Show notes: www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-091 Sign up for class: patriciasung.com/adhdcalendar
Apr 29, 2021 • 15min
E090: It's time to plan and organize your schedule by learning how to keep a calendar for ADHD brains: Peaceful, calm days are in your future
Time. Time Blindness. An ADHD Brain's black hole. Well, what do we do about that? How do we schedule our day if we don't even feel it passing by? Creating a peaceful day is possible when you have ADHD. What you need is instructions on how to organize yourself and make a plan that make sense to your brain. And luckily, I speak your ADHD brain's language. Feeling confident about your day involves two things: 1) using your calendar well, and 2) having a system in place for the regular day to day stuff. (The answer to question 2 is coming soon.) The million dollar question: If keeping a calendar is pretty straightforward, why do struggle with it so much??? Today we talk about: *how we can stick with a calendar (even though we have a graveyard of dusty planners that show us we don't) *ways we get off track in the first place (spoiler alert, this is pretty predictable due to our executive function problems) *what a calendar is NOT designed to do *the four types of events that happen in our day I'm here to help you know for sure that you can learn how to keep up with your life even with ADHD. We can do hard things. Sign up for class here! patriciasung.com/adhdcalendar
Apr 22, 2021 • 32min
E089: Tapping (EFT) as Treatment and Self Care for Adult ADHD with Kate Moryoussef
What if I told you there is an ADHD treatment available that is completely free with no side effects? I know, sounds too good to be true. But when 2 friends asked me about tapping in the same week, I knew it was time to investigate. Our guest this week is Kate Moryoussef, of Coaching by Kate. Kate uses the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also called tapping, with her clients to connect to our bodies, build calm, and find peace. It's an amazing tool you can try anytime anywhere to reconnect and ground yourself. I've used tapping to get "unstuck" when I'm in a downward thought spiral, and many people find EFT helps relieve anxious thoughts. Kate and I discuss the background of EFT, the basics of tapping, and how to get started. Kate also has videos on her website for our visual learners. I also love that this is a technique we can utilize with and teach our children, especially children with ADHD or anxiety. 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 Kate shared her Adult ADHD journey? Be sure to listen to part 1 in Episode 88 to hear her late diagnosis story and how she came to find her calling in life while balancing momlife with her four children. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Follow Kate on instagram @coaching_by_kate_ or facebook @coachingbykate Watch instructional videos on her website www.coachingbykate.me.uk and sign up for her emails on her site in order to get the most up to date info from Kate, or learn about her group and 1:1 coaching. Listen to Kate's podcast The Ambitious Mum Dr. Edith Eger It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Apr 8, 2021 • 24min
E087: Pursuing Goals and Dreaming Big as Self Care for Adult ADHD with Yakini Pierce
What if we challenged the idea that in order to give our kids our very best, we moms have to put our dreams and goals on hold until our children are grown? Our guest this week is Yakini Pierce, of ADHD Love. We're talking about self care for moms who have ADHD and dreaming big and pursuing goals is part of taking care of ourselves. There is a detestable martyrdom expected of moms: don't do anything for yourself, or else you're a bad, selfish mom whose kids will end up dysfunctional and unloved! Um, what? Let's flip the script and look at all of the ways that chasing our dreams show our kids how to live fulfilled, joyful lives. We set the tone for our entire family's mood, so when we are proud of ourselves and living out our purpose, we have more to energy to pour into our families. So how do we choose the goals worth pursuing? And how do we balance the role of motherhood with the role of goal-getter? Today Yakini shares how she attained 3 degrees, works a full time job, and runs her own real estate business on the side, plus her hobby of ADHD Love, on top of being a single mom...making her the perfect candidate to encourage us in pursing our dreams and setting big goals when we have ADHD and kids to raise. We're diving into our discussion on self-care, how she chooses a goal, creates the structure needed to be successful, and how we, too, can achieve big dreams with ADHD. 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 Yakini shared her Adult ADHD journey? Be sure to listen to part 1 in Episode 86 to hear late diagnosis story and why she started ADHD Love. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Find Yakini on instagram @adhdlove2020 twitter @adhdlove2020 her website www.adhdlove2020.com and watch her interviews on YouTube. The Bigger Pockets Podcast It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on How to Use A Calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Apr 1, 2021 • 21min
E086: A Successful Mama's Adult ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Yakini Pierce
Our guest this week is Yakini Pierce, of ADHD Love. Yakini saw the gap in understanding - people didn't "get" her ADHD kids - and she strives to be a change agent in giving other parents the resources they need and want to help their children succeed. Yakini was diagnosed after both of her children were diagnosed with ADHD, and she started ADHD Love to connect parents of ADHD children with resources and role models as they navigate their child's ADHD diagnosis. She didn't want other parents to struggle as she did to find quality ADHD resources. Listen in as Yakini shares her Adult ADHD diagnosis journey, shares how her parents supported her as a youth, and what action she took as she rode the roller coaster of being the mom to "that kid" who gets kicked out of daycare. You're not alone, mama. Her story continues in the next episode, so stay tuned for part 2 with Yakini! We dive into our discussion on self-care, how she chooses a goal, creates the structure needed to be successful, and how we, too, can achieve big goals with ADHD. Each week of our series on self-care, our guest will share an area of self care that we can use to take care of our ADHD brain, body, mind, and soul. I cannot wait for you to, not only learn what gives you energy, but know wholeheartedly that it is totally doable to take care of ourselves when we make it ADHD friendly. We're starting with simplicity - baby steps and we're aiming for progress over perfection. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Find Yakini on instagram @adhdlove2020 twitter @adhdlove2020 her website www.adhdlove2020.com and watch her interviews on YouTube. The Bigger Pockets Podcast It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Mar 31, 2021 • 26min
E088: A Successful Mama's Adult ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Kate Moryoussef
Our guest this week is Kate Moryoussef, of Coaching by Kate. Like many of us, Kate was torn between stay at home mom and working mom, wanting to be home with her babies but also feeling like she was drawn to more. As she wandered her way into her calling, as many of us do, Kate realized that who she wanted to help were women like herself - but she wasn't sure how to describe ...us! See, Kate didn't know that there was a name for women like her, women like us, until recently, as she was diagnosed with Adult ADHD just a few months ago. And knowing who she is has made all the difference. Now Kate is using her ADHD to help women as a well-being coach, using Emotional Freedom Technique , also called tapping, to help her clients. Listen in as Kate shares her Adult ADHD diagnosis journey, how she grew up in an ADHD home (yet didn't know that she had it, too!), how she found her calling, and how she uses her own diagnosis to help her daughter. Her story continues in the next episode, so stay tuned for part 2 with Kate! We dive into our discussion on self-care, through tapping, which is a simple and easy to implement treatment for both ADHD and anxiety. Each week of our series on self-care, our guest will share an area of self care that we can use to take care of our ADHD brain, body, mind, and soul. I cannot wait for you to, not only learn what gives you energy, but know wholeheartedly that it is totally doable to take care of ourselves when we make it ADHD friendly. We're starting with simplicity - baby steps and we're aiming for progress over perfection. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Follow Kate on instagram @coaching_by_kate_ or facebook @coachingbykate Watch instructional videos on her website www.coachingbykate.me.uk and sign up for her emails on her site in order to get the most up to date info from Kate, or learn about her group and 1:1 coaching. Listen to Kate's podcast The Ambitious Mum It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Mar 25, 2021 • 25min
E085: Improving Our ADHD Diet & Food Choices for ADHD Moms with Anna Rubano
Our guest this week is Anna Rubano, of In Tune with Anna K. We're talking about self care for moms who have ADHD and we're talking about food choices. This is a sore spot for a lot of us moms. How do we plan for healthy eating when we're barely surviving on handfuls of goldfish crackers and sandwich scraps leftover from our toddler? Take a deep breath and relax. This isn't a chat on the benefits of paleo vs. keto, or how to count your macros. Anna will encourage you no matter what your food choices currently are. Our discussion isn't about what you look like, or achieving that goal weight, or the perfect meal plan. Instead, we talk about: -how can we take care of ourselves through making small changes in our food choices -using food as fuel to nourish our bodies and feed our ADHD brains -how Anna stays committed when she does not have motivation -what you can do to get started when you are feeling overwhelmed -ideas on how to stick to your meal plan when you don't really feel like eating that thing any more Anna is a holistic health coach, helping women integrate whole health into their lives, looking beyond just healthy food choices to what is happening off the plate and in your life. She's not pushing diet culture. Instead she guides women on how to work on our physical health with big picture view - not nitpicking the details - which is a great match for our ADHD brains. 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. Anna's journey is part of our March Mama Madness Series. Be sure to listen to part 1, when Anna shares her ADHD diagnosis story of being diagnosed later in life after her son was diagnosed with ADHD. We covered aaaaaaall the feelings of shame starting in childhood, feeling like we're not good enough, and the grief & relief of having your diagnosis. Anna's soft spoken strength gives us hope that we can find our strength, too. Get ready to laugh and cringe as you hear parts of your life woven through Anna's story as she shares her ADHD journey with us, and witness her honesty and vulnerability through her struggles with ADHD. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Find Anna on instagram @intunewithannak and sign up for a free health discovery session on Anna's website: www.intunewithannak.com It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Mar 18, 2021 • 24min
E084: A Successful Mama's ADHD Diagnosis Journey with Anna Rubano
Our guest this week is Anna Rubano, of In Tune with Anna K. Anna is part of the late diagnosis club, finding out about her diagnosis as she learned about her son's ADHD diagnosis. We cover aaaaaaall the feelings of shame starting in childhood, feeling like we're not good enough, and the grief & relief of having your diagnosis. Anna's soft spoken strength gives us hope that we can find our strength, too. Anna is a holistic health coach, helping women integrate whole health into their lives, looking beyond just healthy food choices to what is happening off the plate and in your life. She's not pushing diet culture. Instead she guides women on how to work on our physical health with big picture view - not nitpicking the details - which is a great match for our ADHD brains. Anna's story is part of our March Mama Madness Series, so stay tuned for part 2! In our next episode, Anna and I dive into our discussion on self-care, how we can use food as part of our ADHD treatment and as fuel to nourish our bodies, overcoming our ADHD waffling tendencies, and how keeping it simple and taking it slow is the way to make long lasting impact on our health and how we take care of our bodies and minds. Each week of our series on self-care, our guest will share an area of self care that we can use to take care of our ADHD brain, body, mind, and soul. I cannot wait for you to, not only learn what gives you energy, but know wholeheartedly that it is totally doable to take care of ourselves when we make it ADHD friendly. We're starting with simplicity - baby steps and we're aiming for progress over perfection. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Find Anna on instagram @intunewithannak and sign up for a free health discovery session on Anna's website: www.intunewithannak.com It's time to stop beating yourself for forgetting yet another school event or doctor's appt...or forgetting to pick up your kid entirely. It's time to feel confident and capable keeping up with your schedule. Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up for class now!
Mar 11, 2021 • 21min
E083: Exercise & Rituals as Self Care for ADHD with Dina Quondamatteo, The ADHD Lawyer
Our guest this week is Dina Quondamatteo, better known as The ADHD Lawyer. We're talking about self care for moms who have ADHD and who better to teach us first than a mom who has been momming for 17 years? Movement and exercise is a great way to get our dopamine flowing, and Dina will encourage you no matter where your physical ability currently stands. Our discussion isn't about what you look like, or achieving that goal weight. Instead, we talk about: -how can we take care of ourselves through exercise -using exercise as a natural and free ADHD treatment -how Dina stays committed when she does not have motivation -what you can do to get started when you are feeling overwhelmed -utilizing rituals to stay on track throughout the day 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. Dina's journey is part of our March Mama Madness Series. Be sure to listen to part 1, when Dina shares her ADHD diagnosis story of being diagnosed later in life around 40. Dina has an innate ability to be strong and vulnerable simultaneously, with infectious enthusiasm and drive to encourage others with ADHD. We talked about juggling school and rearing twins, getting to know your life long roommate called ADHD, and why she went back to law school at age 40 and was driven enough to get accommodations for the Bar Exam. Get ready to laugh and cringe as you hear parts of your life woven through Dina's story as she shares her ADHD journey with us, and witness her perseverance and persistence in the face of insurmountable obstacles. Come'on. Meet your fellow Successful ADHD Mama. Click here for the Show notes and transcription. Is your time blindness wreaking havoc on your life? Ready to cut some chaos from your day? Pre-sale is open for my upcoming class on how to use your calendar when you have ADHD. Sign up now!
