 You wake up in the morning and think, "Dang it! I wasn't gonna drink last night." Now you feel like crap and don't want to get out of bed.  A lot of us live in the middle ground: you wouldn't consider yourself an alcoholic, but you also aren't exactly happy with your relationship with alcohol. It’s an awkward place to be.  …Maybe you're making up rules for yourself like you'll only drink on weekends, on special occasions, or with friends.  …Maybe you say you'll have just one glass of wine, but it turns into two or the whole bottle. …Maybe you're a Groundhog Day drinker… Every morning you make a pact with yourself and you inevitably break it. Again and again.  Let's pause the spiral of shame and have an open conversation about how alcohol is a popular and culturally acceptable method to tone down the chaos in your mind so you can chill out in the evenings - particularly useful when you have ADHD and loud children.  Let me be clear: I'm not here to tell you never to drink again. I want you to have the relationship YOU want with alcohol, no matter what it looks like.  Today's guest is Carolyn Robistow, LPC, and host of Brain Unblocked: The Brainspotting Podcast. Carolyn helps high-achieving, health-minded perfectionists squelch brain blocks and unhelpful habits. She is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs get out of their heads, stop drinking, and start living optimized AF. Carolyn side hustles at her private practice, The Joy Effect, an in-person and virtual counseling practice in The Woodlands, TX, where she specializes in Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).   You don't have to painfully shame yourself into a new way of doing things. Let's dig into the tough conversations, Successful Mama! Learn more and connect with Carolyn:  Website: www.carolynrobistow.net Practice Website: https://joyeffectcounseling.com Instagram: @carolynrobistow Facebook: Carolyn Robistow  Free Download: Patricia's Secret to Overcoming Time Blindness To read the transcript and view the show notes visit the  Motherhood in ADHD Blog.  

E162: It's Just One Glass of Wine! Groundhog Day Drinking: How to Stop the Vicious Cycle of Self-Medicating your ADHD with Alcohol with Carolyn Robistow LPC

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 Motherhood in ADHD Facebook community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherhoodinadhd

Sign up for community, courses, coaching, and learn about ADHD: www.patriciasung.com

Kids & Family

Parenting

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Do you ever feel like an emotional sponge, absorbing the feelings of others around you? Especially when you’re with someone you care about? Especially when you’re in certain parts of your cycle? Extra especially when they are agitated, frustrated, angry, or anxious? In this episode, we dive deep into understanding emotional regulation, stress management, and the unique challenges faced by moms with ADHD. From absorbing everyone else's emotions to navigating the stress ladder, we'll explore the struggles and I’ll offer practical strategies for finding balance and grace in the midst of the storm.  You CAN learn to hear your own signals and trust them, as well as build your stress tolerance to help you regulate during the day, in spite of the rest of your and your family’s stressors! And once you know how, you can teach your kids how to increase their stress tolerance, too.   Stop Medusa Mom in her tracks with these 10 tips to calm down before you lose your cool! Watch (or read) the free video here: https://www.patriciasung.com/medusa-mom.   Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-221-frustrated-easily-adult-adhd-meltdown-mood-swing

E221: Why Do I Get Frustrated So Easily? ADHD Meltdowns & Mood Swings in Adults

Sometimes you need a reminder that it’s okay to spend a little money on yourself, especially when the guilt of the last 3 wasteful impulse buys are still weighing on you. In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, we're diving headfirst into why self-care is NOT selfish. I want you to know that putting yourself on the budget’s priority list is worth it - without guilt creeping in and talking yourself out of it before you ever get that much deserved break. Often that guilt (or fear of something else) also prevents you from bringing up the topic of money with your partner.  I’ll cover how you can prepare for a money conversation with your partner and set the stage so it’s as smooth as possible.  If even thinking about money conversations or putting yourself first gives you hives, this episode is a great first step toward ditching the guilt, as we dive into two uncomfortable conversations in today’s episode.   Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-220-spend-money-on-yourself-guilt-free-how-to-talk-to-your-spouse-husband-partner-about-the-budget     New workshop alert! Your Gifted Child: a 3 workshop series to help you understand your gifted child better, parent them well without losing your sanity, and learn the skills to help them be calm, well-rounded and successful. We'll talk about 2e, comorbidities, emotional regulation, and executive function skills.  Come to the live workshops OR listen to the private podcast version OR watch the replay.  In case you’re new around here, I'm a certified K-12 GT teacher and taught middle school for many years before becoming an ADHD Coach, so I’m using my years of experience teaching gifted & 2e kids to support my boys’ school GT program. It's donate-what-you-can admission! Sign up here: patriciasung.com/gt

E220: Spending Money on Yourself Guilt-free! Plus How to Talk to Your Partner about the Budget

Watching your child struggle is pretty much the worst. Not knowing what to do about it is more than icing on the doo-doo cake. I've got your back, mama! In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, I dive into the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges of parenting a struggling child. When your child needs help, but you don’t know where to begin, this episode is for you. From dealing with overwhelming chaos to understanding the unique dynamics in a family affected by ADHD, here are my key tips to help you navigate the stress. So, buckle up, mama, because we're about to unpack the struggle bus and turn it into the ambulance you need for support during a crisis. In this episode, I’m sharing the five essential C's for helping your struggling child. First up, we zoom in on crisis management and understanding what’s on fire before taking action. Then, we delve into the critical aspect of self-care for moms because, let's be honest, we can't pour from an empty unicorn mug. We also explore caring for our kids, making sure they find their own spaces to shine and thrive. Plus, we emphasize the importance of building strong connections and boosting our kids' confidence, because every little victory matters. So, put on your driving gloves, grab a cup (or 40 oz travel mug) of coffee, and get ready to drive into a world of empathy, support, and practical advice on nurturing your struggling child. If you want to join us in person, we’re discussing parenting WITH ADHD in March & April in Successful Mama Meetups. Because among the chaos, you're already a fantastic mom who’s trying her best, and you're not alone in this bumpy journey. New workshop alert! Your Gifted Child: a 3 workshop series to help you understand your gifted child better, parent them well without losing your sanity, and learn the skills to help them be calm, well-rounded and successful. We'll talk about 2e, comorbidities, emotional regulation, and executive function skills.  Come to the live workshops OR listen to the private podcast version OR watch the replay.  In case you’re new around here, I'm a certified K-12 GT teacher and taught middle school for many years before becoming an ADHD Coach, so I’m using my years of experience teaching gifted & 2e kids to support my boys’ school GT program. It's donate-what-you-can admission! Sign up here: patriciasung.com/gt   Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-219-parenting-struggling-child-with-adhd-how-to-help-kid-in-crisis

E219: Parenting a Struggling Child with ADHD: Where to Start When Your Kid is in Crisis

It’s here again… that awful feeling: I’m behind. You swore this year you’d print those adorable Christmas cards with your family’s smiling faces in front of a glowing tree, but it’s December and you haven’t even started.  Your friends are sending you theirs, and just seeing them makes you feel guilty.  You’re scrambling to shop for presents online, wondering how you’re going to fit it into your budget.  And that damn elf on the shelf? Hasn’t moved for days.  Mama, the holidays are a stressful time for most people.  But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be quite this bad.  If you’re feeling behind, and like you can’t rest because there just.isn’t.time… this episode is for you.  We talk about:   How to clean up after the holidays without feeling overwhelmed   Why you feel “behind” and what to do about it   Relearning how to rest, when adulting made you forget   How to make time to recharge when there just isn’t any time   There’s no law that says holidays have to be hard. Join me in choosing calm over chaos this year.  Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-218-holiday-self-care. The cure to your holiday hangover: quick & easy steps to get your home back to its normal level of chaos after the holidays! https://www.patriciasung.com/holiday-hangover   Looking for a quiet fidget to help keep you and your kids peaceful when life feels uncomfortable? Calm Strips are the way to go! Touch, scratch or trace the textured surface to regulate restless energy, increase focus, and remind yourself to breathe. Head over to CalmStrips.com and use the code MOTHERHOOD20 for 20% off orders of $20 or more.

E218: Finding Calm in the Chaos: Holiday Self-Care Tips

Ever feel like making friends is a puzzle you can't quite solve?  You're not alone, mama!  In this episode of Motherhood in ADHD, we unpack the nuances of friendship with our guest Caroline Maguire.  Caroline is a leader in social skills development and the author of the book, “Why Will No One Play With Me?” – a handbook on how to communicate social skills training for your kids… and yourself! If you’ve ever felt like your ADHD impacts how you make and keep friends, this episode is for you.  We're talking about those oops-did-I-say-too-much moments and the I-have-no-idea-what-to-say ones.  Caroline answers questions from listeners like:  What do I do when I’ve been ghosted?  How do I reach out when I’ve been distant due to my ADHD?   How should I approach talking to my friends, co-workers or bosses about how my ADHD affects my communication style?   How do I help my kids have successful friendships without pushing them too hard?   Our relationships shape our lives – but they’re not easy when you have ADHD. So let’s dig in and figure it out together.  Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-217-adhd-and-friendships-with-social-skills-expert-caroline-maguire What’s your ADHD Parenting Style?  Find out at patriciasung.com/quiz because you’re not your average mama bear! Looking for a quiet fidget to help keep you and your kids peaceful when life feels uncomfortable? Calm Strips are the way to go! Touch, scratch or trace the textured surface to regulate restless energy, increase focus, and remind yourself to breathe. Head over to CalmStrips.com and use the code MOTHERHOOD20 for 20% off orders of $20 or more.

E217: Friendships & ADHD: Ghosting, Awkwardness and More with Social Skills Expert Caroline Maguire

Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHD

E162: It's Just One Glass of Wine! Groundhog Day Drinking: How to Stop the Vicious Cycle of Self-Medicating your ADHD with Alcohol with Carolyn Robistow LPC

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