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.

E099: Should I Tell My Child They Have ADHD? Advice from a Mom who has ADHD: Q+A Session

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

Recently, I discussed with 4 mom friends the point of Mother’s Day. Spoiler Alert: We all had differing opinions and none of us do the same things on Mother’s Day. While some dislike its baggage and some of us loved a day of being treated like a queen, we did agree that moms could all use a lot more care and rest. You deserve more than 1 day out of 365, mama. Because caring for yourself isn’t an optional activity.  At some point, your body or mind will make you take a break when you haven’t made space for rest, and usually at a fairly inopportune time.  Let’s discuss why caring for yourself matters (it’s not selfish!) and what real self care looks like.  Wanna rest and relax with me? My weekend retreat for ADHD moms is an excellent way to take care of yourself.  Plus we get to hang out! In real life! You’re invited! “Be True To You”, the weekend retreat for ADHD Moms takes place October 11-13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. You get to relax, turn off the hamster wheel of to-dos, and rest while I totally take care of YOU! This event is all-inclusive. That means that you don’t have to do *anything* once you check in. I’m taking care of your hotel, meals, and activities. Plus you’ll be hanging out with an awesome group of moms who get you! Having friends who have or suspect ADHD and have been there, done that, and probably forgot to buy the T-shirt are wonderful, and the kind of friends who like you just as you are, that’s priceless. Here's your official invitation to join a welcoming group of moms in person to rest, hang out together, build your support system, and learn to take care of yourself. Because you are worth it. Early bird registration starts TODAY through May 30th, so grab your ticket here: patriciasung.com/retreat.  And if you can’t make it this year, what will you do to take care of yourself?  Because you deserve care, my dear, no matter the day of the year.   Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-226-why-you-cant-skip-self-care-as-a-mom

E226: Why You Can’t Afford to Skip Self-Care as a Mom

Scared of meeting new people? Does small talk give you hives? If you want to make new mom friends, but aren’t sure what to do next, let’s hang out on today’s episode! Until recently, parties where I didn’t know anyone were scarier than any snake, clown, or ghost. As someone who’s been painfully shy my whole life, I never knew what to say or how to leave a conversation before it got awkward.  I was so awkward! Today I’m sharing my struggles with making friends, especially in new situations with new people, along with 8 practical tips for mingling and making new friends as a mother with ADHD.  Here’s how I’ve learned to navigate social situations and embrace vulnerability in order to lower my social anxiety and make new friends. Making friends is a learned skill and you can get better at finding your kind of people.  You weren’t meant to do life alone and your potential friends are waiting for you to say hi. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-225-8-tips-for-making-new-mom-friends-when-you-have-adhd   Craving people who understand how you work instead of judging you??? Come hang out with me and other ADHD Moms in our twice weekly Successful Mama Meetups! Come for the support; stay for the community. Join here: https://www.patriciasung.com/meetup

E225: 8 Tips for Making New Mom Friends

When is it too late to get an ADHD diagnosis? For today’s guest, Tami Hackbarth, getting diagnosed with ADHD at age 53 was worth it. After years in the classroom working with copious ADHD children, Tami has plenty of strategies and tools to help those of us with neurodivergent brains.  We dove into Tami’s journey of self-discovery, self-compassion, and self-acceptance. She opens up about her struggles with sleep apnea, the impact of medication on her daily life, and the importance of Fair Play and self-care in neurodivergent families. We also talk about the value of open communication within families and the significance of guilt-free self-care.  Tami Hackbarth helps GenX women get their time and energy back so they can create the world they want to live in. She is a Life+Work Coach, Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Fair Play Facilitator, former teacher, and lifelong Californian. You can find Tami at www.tamihackbarth.com and on socials at: • Instagram – @tamihackbarth • Facebook – @TamiHackbarth100PercentGuiltFreeSelfCareCoach • TikTok – @GuiltFreeSelfCare • Threads – @tamihackbarth Let’s jump into a candid conversation of understanding, empowerment, and embracing the unique challenges and victories of motherhood and entrepreneurship in the context of ADHD. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-224-self-acceptance-fair-play-adhd-relationships-tami-hackbarth  Looking for support on how to treat your ADHD beyond medicine? Grab my free list of strategies and ADHD treatments at patriciasung.com/beyond-meds.

E224: Self-Acceptance & Fair Play in ADHD Relationships with Tami Hackbarth

We all know someone who has an emotionally immature parent.  The one who lays on guilt trips. The one who never shows up. The one who struggles with demons bigger than their kids. Maybe it’s you.   Maybe it’s your neighbor or your best friend. As a mom, it hits different.  You see the pain, the nuance, the struggle a little more clearly. And yet you still can’t fix the other person. But you can make changes in your life and for your own children. Today, I’m not holding back from the tough conversation of emotionally immature parenting and breaking the cycles of brokenness in your family.  I want you to know wholeheartedly that when you’re taking care of yourself, you ARE caring for your family, too. Self-care is the opposite of selfishness. By learning how to take care of yourself, you can teach your kids those same invaluable skills.  Listen to this week’s episode and let’s do the hard work of breaking and rebuilding cycles together. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-223-building-a-stronger-healthier-adhd-family-for-generations Current parenting workshop series: Your Gifted Child! A donate-what-you-can fundraiser for my kid’s school. Register at patriciasung.com/gt

E223: Building a Stronger, Healthier Family for Generations

What “should” you have done already?   Finish your degree?  Pass your driver’s license test?  Make that doctor’s appt?  Left the house for school pickup? If you’re constantly thinking “I’m behind!”, this episode is for you.   Often it’s literal, as in, “I’m 20 minutes late to my appointment!” But it’s also in the big things, like you “should” have more kids by now or gotten that promotion.  You’re not alone! Feeling behind has come up in several discussions recently both in my Lighthouse Group ADHD Coaching, and in Successful Mama Meetups. What are the patterns showing up in this pervasive problem among women with ADHD? Here’s how to move forward both logistically and mentally. It’s time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Drop your name on the waitlist for the 3rd annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat in October 2024, and I’ll take care of everything once you arrive!   Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-222-4-reasons-why-you-feel-behind

E222: Constantly Feel Like You’re Behind? 4 Reasons Why

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

E099: Should I Tell My Child They Have ADHD? Advice from a Mom who has ADHD: Q+A Session

Download our free app to listen on your phone