If school mornings in your house feel like a high-stakes obstacle course — socks missing, bags unpacked, emotions running high — this episode will feel like a deep breath you didn’t know you needed.

Jane is joined by Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about how to survive those brutal pre-school hours without burning every ounce of patience you have before 9am. This isn’t about colour-coded charts or impossible routines — it’s about understanding ADHD brains, setting realistic expectations, and making mornings less about conflict and more about connection.

Sharon shares her game-changing tips for managing transitions, reducing overwhelm, and creating a morning rhythm that actually works for neurodivergent kids (and parents). Expect real-life stories, scripts you can try tomorrow, and the relief of knowing you’re not the only family wrestling with mismatched socks at the worst possible time.

In This Episode

• Why “just get ready” doesn’t work for ADHD kids — and what to say instead
• How to identify and remove the hidden triggers that derail mornings
• The one small change that can stop meltdowns before they start
• Why your own regulation matters more than your schedule
• How to use connection as a tool (without adding to your mental load)
• Rethinking reward charts, punishments, and morning “discipline”

This Episode Is For You If

– You dread the school run before you’ve even opened your eyes
– Your mornings are a mix of tears, yelling, and frantic searches for missing shoes
– You want calmer starts without sacrificing your sanity

About Sharon Collon

Sharon is the founder of The Functional Family, helping families with ADHD create systems that work in the real world.
🌐 Website: thefunctionalfamily.com

 📸 Instagram: @thefunctionalfamily

Related Episodes

• S1 E34: Being Neurotypical in a Relationship with an ADHD Person
  🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts
• S1 E42: ADHD and Parenting
  🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts

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TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE

ADHD school mornings, parenting burnout, neurodivergent routines, emotional regulation, school run stress, ADHD parenting tips, transitions for ADHD kids, low-demand mornings, connection before compliance, realistic family systems, executive function support, parenting scripts, reducing morning meltdowns, ADHD-friendly routines, self-regulation strategies, school preparation tips, functional family systems, neuroaffirming parenting, behaviour without punishment, practical ADHD strategies.

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