Ever walked away from school pick-up mentally exhausted from awkward small talk, unspoken social rules, or overthinking what you said? You’re not alone.

For ADHD and autistic mums, pick-up isn’t just about collecting your child - it’s a social minefield that can leave you feeling wiped out, anxious, or like you somehow “got it wrong.”

But what if school pick-up didn’t have to be so exhausting?

In this episode:

• How to stop replaying conversations in your head for hours after pick-up.
• A simple way to handle small talk without draining your energy.
• When masking is helpful and when it’s just not worth it.
• How to know who’s worth your energy (and when to let go of the guilt).
• What to do when rejection sensitivity kicks in and you start spiralling.

If school pick-up feels awkward, exhausting, or just too much, this episode is for you.

👉 Grab my guide Navigating School Pick-Up: A Guide for ADHD Mums - it’s full of real-life scripts and strategies to help you feel more confident. Get it for $30 on my website.

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Topics Covered in This Episode: School pick-up, ADHD mums, autistic mums, social exhaustion, overthinking social interactions, small talk anxiety, masking, rejection sensitivity, social burnout, managing social energy, neurodivergent parenting, awkward social situations, playground dynamics, navigating school pick-up, ADHD social skills, ADHD and masking, social overwhelm, avoiding small talk, decoding neurotypical communication, school pick-up anxiety, ADHD mum life, neurodivergent communication, ADHD-friendly strategies, ADHD and social interactions, ADHD and social anxiety, ADHD mum struggles, ADHD-friendly parenting tips.

Mentioned in this episode:

A Guide to Navigating School Pick-Up

If school pick-up feels like an Olympic sport you forgot to train for, this guide is for you. Packed with relatable stories, actionable tips, and easy-to-use scripts, Navigating School Pick-Up is designed to help neurodivergent mums navigate the chaos of playground socialising. From decoding unspoken social rules to building genuine (or at least tolerable) connections, this guide takes the stress out of those awkward interactions. It’s not about changing who you are – it’s about finding strategies that let you show up for your child in a way that feels authentic and manageable.

School Pick-Up Guide

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