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ADHD Mums

ADHD Mums

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S3 Ep 4747. QUICK RESET: No, I can't meditate. I'm too busy disassociating.

⚠️ This episode discusses disassociation and trauma responses. Please listen with care and step away if needed🧘‍♀️ Meditation apps promised calm — but for many ADHD mums, stillness doesn’t soothe. It shuts us down.If you’ve ever sat down to meditate and felt panic instead of peace — you’re not broken. You’re not the only one.In this Quick Reset, Jane explores why meditation, yoga, and “just breathe” advice can trigger dissociation instead of relaxation. When stillness feels unsafe, your nervous system isn’t failing — it’s protecting you.This episode unpacks the difference between resistance and survival, why dissociation is often misunderstood, and how ADHD mums can build regulation in ways that actually feel safe.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy meditation and stillness can trigger dissociation instead of calmDissociation as a neurological survival response, not a mindset issueHow it shows up in kids (zoning out, robot-like compliance, emotional flatness)Why “letting go” feels impossible without safety and scaffoldingPractical alternatives: movement, sensory tools, music, micro-pausesHow to reframe meditation as presence, curiosity, and building tolerance slowlyThis Episode Is For You IfYou’ve ever felt panic, not peace, when trying meditationYou blame yourself for failing at yoga, mindfulness, or “relaxing”You want to understand dissociation as survival, not weaknessYou’re raising a neurodivergent child who zones out or seems “not present” at schoolYou need validating, practical strategies that meet ADHD brains where they areReferences & Resources MentionedThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — on trauma, the body, and survival states✨ Listen now: “No, I Can’t Meditate. I’m Too Busy Disassociating” — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and adhdmums.com.au — because calm shouldn’t feel unsafe, and you deserve tools that actually work for your brain.JOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Oct 1, 202513 min

S3 Ep 4646. ARFID, Eating Disorders & the Neurodivergent Body: What We Got Wrong

⚠️ Content Warning This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, food restriction, and medical trauma, including misdiagnosis, inpatient treatment, and NG tube feeding. These themes may be triggering if you’ve experienced eating disorders, hospitalisation, or trauma in medical settings. Please listen with care and step away if you need to.🥄 Your child isn’t “picky.” They’re hungry, terrified — and too often, the world still blames parents.In this raw and validating episode, Jane speaks with Marie Camin, autistic clinical psychologist and researcher, about ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), eating disorders, and why neurodivergent bodies are consistently misunderstood and mistreated.Marie shares her own lived experience alongside her clinical insights, unpacking how trauma, sensory needs, medical neglect, and stigma collide to create deeper harm — and why curiosity, agency, and neuro-affirming care are essential for healing.What We Cover in This EpisodeThe difference (and overlap) between ARFID, anorexia, and other eating disordersWhy ARFID is misdiagnosed and why body image isn’t the driverMarie’s lived experience: being mislabelled with anorexia, medical trauma, and refeeding through an NG tubeHow restriction cycles worsen when safe foods are lostThe role of sensory overload, anxiety, and co-occurring health conditions (POTS, MCAS, celiac)Why dieticians, trauma-informed care, and curiosity matter more than controlReframing progress: eating “enough” vs eating “everything”Identity, food, and family culture — and why pressure around mealtimes backfiresThis Episode Is For You If…You’re parenting a child with ARFID, “extreme picky eating,” or food refusalYou’ve been blamed or dismissed by professionals who don’t understand neurodivergent feeding differencesYou’ve experienced medical trauma tied to eating or food treatmentYou want to understand how trauma, sensory needs, and stigma intersect with eating disordersYou need solidarity and language that validates your lived experienceReferences & Resources MentionedMarie Camin’ website: https://www.mariecamin.com/ Hermeneutical Injustice — concept by philosopher Miranda Fricker on the harm of missing language for lived experienceRelated ADHD Mums EpisodesCould it be ARFID? Spotting the Signs + Why It’s Not Just Fussy EatingBeyond ‘Picky Eating’ — What ARFID Feels Like: Claire Britton’s Personal StoryYou’ve Tried Everything… They Still Won’t Eat: Real Strategies for ARFID at HomeNavigating Psychology Assessments: Avoiding Key MistakesIf you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. In Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673. If you’re outside Australia, please reach out to local crisis supports in your area.🎧 Listen now: ARFID, Eating Disorders & the Neurodivergent Body: What We Got Wrong — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 29, 202540 min

S3 Ep 4545. QUICK RESET: The biggest lie parents believe during school holidays? This is what everyone does

🤔 Are school holidays not what you imagined? You thought they’d be fun — but instead you’re tired, burnt out, and blaming yourself for not enjoying them.In this Quick Reset, Jane unpacks the hidden truth about parenting through school holidays with ADHD: not all mums start the day with the same energy budget. When you’re managing sensory overload, executive dysfunction, picky eating, or kids who refuse playdates, you’re spending double the energy before lunch. This isn’t failure. It’s maths that makes sense to ADHD mums .What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy school holidays feel impossible when ADHD mums start the day in energy deficitThe “energy accounting” metaphor vs spoon theory — and why it finally explains burnoutReal-life examples: Woolies meltdowns, kids refusing playdates, ARFID challengesHow sibling fights, meal prep, and simple errands cost double for ADHD parentsWhy the comparison trap is a lie — different baselines, same marathonPractical survival strategies: connection anchors, boredom boards, and saying no without guiltThis Episode Is For You If…You’ve felt guilty for not “making memories” during school holidaysYou’ve compared yourself to other mums and thought you were failingYour kids refuse outings, playdates, or even to leave the houseYou’re managing ADHD, autism, ARFID, or high sensory needs on top of daily parentingYou want to see burnout for what it is: biology, not bad parenting📘 FREE Handout on Energy Accounting & Fighting Mum Burnout: Download HERE.References & Resources MentionedSpoon Theory and Energy Accounting — metaphors for invisible energy budgetsDr Devon Price — research on burnout and resilienceMaggie Dent — on boredom, boys, and creativityRelated ADHD Mums EpisodesThe ADHD Mum’s Guide to Surviving School Mornings Without Tears (Theirs or Yours)The Hallway Hook That Saved My Sanity🎧 Listen now: QUICK RESET: The Biggest Lie Parents Believe During School Holidays — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 24, 202518 min

S3 Ep 4444. Why bad behaviour is rarely bad at all (and how to respond instead)

⚡ Sticker charts, punishments, time-outs — most ADHD mums have tried them. And most of us have felt the gut-punch of guilt when they “don’t work.” But here’s the truth: what looks like “bad behaviour” is usually a dysregulated nervous system asking for help, not a child trying to make life harder .In this episode, Jane speaks with psychologist Leanne Tran about why conventional behaviour strategies fail ADHD kids, how shame sneaks in, and what parents can do instead. Together, they reframe “naughtiness” as communication — and offer practical tools for scaffolding, connection, and regulation .What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy ADHD behaviour challenges are about regulation, not defianceThe limits of sticker charts and why they often backfirePunishment vs reinforcement: why one creates shame, the other builds skillsHow to support kids before chaos — scaffolding, structure, and skill-buildingQuick-win strategies for meltdowns: novelty, humour, and breaking stress loopsBoundaries vs values: why flexibility matters when ADHD is in the mixWhy behaviour isn’t a reflection of your parenting — and how to drop the shameThis Episode Is For You If…You’ve spent money on sticker charts, pens, and rewards — only to feel like you failed when they didn’t workYou’re sick of judgment from schools, family, or strangers about your child’s behaviourYou want alternatives to punishment that don’t just pile on shameYou struggle with consistency yourself and feel guilty for not “parenting perfectly”You need tools that actually work for ADHD kids — and for ADHD mums who can’t parent like robotsReferences & Resources MentionedLeanne Tran’s Website → https://www.leannetran.com.auFollow Leanne on Instagram → @leannetranpsychologyFree resources → learn.leannetran.com.au/freeLean’s Upcoming Webinar: Next steps for parents of neurodivergent kids - 10th of every month at 7pmPsychoeducation Courses (50% off with code ADHDMUMS):Supporting Your ADHD Primary SchoolerSupporting Your ADHD TeenagerJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 22, 202536 min

S3 Ep 4343. QUICK RESET:  Mum hack meal planning for when you're already burnt out.

Meal planning was built for neurotypicals. That’s why it breaks ADHD mums.In this Quick Reset, Jane calls out the shame trap of “just get organised” and explains why meal planning feels impossible when it demands six executive functions at once. From frozen meat to kids refusing everything you bought, this episode offers ADHD-friendly hacks for surviving dinner when you’re already on the edge .What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy meal planning is an executive function overload, not lazinessThe invisible cost: six domains firing at once — predict, remember, plan, shop, cook, cleanWhy “future you” can’t be trusted to follow perfect systemsHow to design a “burnout menu” for your worst daysTheme nights, breakfast-for-dinner, and recurring online orders as ADHD-friendly toolsWhy bubble baths don’t fix brain fog — but survival food doesThis Episode Is For You If…You hate meal planning, cooking, or even thinking about foodYou keep forgetting key ingredients or end up with “nothing to cook” after shoppingYour kids’ picky eating, ARFID, or sensory issues make one-meal-fits-all impossibleYou feel guilty for not sticking to meal plansYou want hacks that actually work on burnout days, not Pinterest fantasy boardsClaim: “Meal planning reduces executive function load, supports emotional regulation, and creates predictability for ADHD households — especially when meals are visually structured, repetitive, and simplified.”🔍 Research & References for Show Notes:Executive Function and Planning Impairments in ADHD Barkley, R. A., & Murphy, K. R. (2006). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Clinical Workbook (3rd ed.).Highlights impairments in planning, organisation, and future thinking in ADHD adults and families. Recommends routines and external structures for managing daily demands. Decision Fatigue and ADHD Baumeister, R. F., et al. (2008). Ego Depletion: Is the Active Self a Limited Resource? Journal of Consumer Research, 36(4), 543–556.Explains how repeated decision-making (like “What’s for dinner?”) leads to emotional exhaustion and poor impulse control — especially in people with existing cognitive load issues.Routine and Predictability Reduce StressPelham, W. E., Fabiano, G. A. (2008). Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 184–214.Shows that structured routines like planned meals and consistent eating times reduce behavioural stress in ADHD children.Visual and Repetitive Meal Systems Help ADHD HouseholdsTuckman, A. R. (2009). More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD. Recommends simplifying meals, using visual lists or repeating favourite foods to limit overwhelm and improve follow-through in ADHD adults.Link Between Blood Sugar Stability, Nutrition, and Emotional RegulationBenton, D., & Donohoe, R. T. (1999). The Effects of Nutrients on Mood. Public Health Nutrition, 2(3a), 403–409.Stable meals reduce mood swings and emotional volatility — crucial for ADHD individuals who are more sensitive to blood sugar fluctuations.Dr Sharon Saline’s research — on ADHD working memory and “if-then” fatigue🎧 Listen now: QUICK RESET: Mum hack meal planning for when you're already burnt out. — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 17, 202512 min

S3 Ep 4242. HORMONES: HRT, ADHD & Perimenopause: What No One’s Explaining to Women

Night sweats, meltdowns, migraines, brain fog — and still dismissed as “mum stress.” For ADHD women, perimenopause isn’t weakness — it’s biology colliding with a system that refuses to notice.In this episode, Jane speaks with Dr Lara Briden, naturopathic doctor and author of Hormone Repair Manual, to unpack what perimenopause really looks like for ADHD women, why blood tests often come back “normal,” and how body-identical hormone therapy can help.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy blood tests often miss perimenopause — and why “normal” doesn’t mean wellHow ADHD and hormones collide to intensify brain fog, rage, and sleep problemsThe role of histamine, thyroid, and iron in brain fog and exhaustionWhat HRT actually is — body-identical vs synthetic hormonesWhy antidepressants are over-prescribed when perimenopause is misdiagnosedPractical survival tools: progesterone, circadian rhythm resets, and magnesium — because bubble baths don’t fix brain fogWhy perimenopause is puberty 2.0 — a transition, not a failureThis Episode Is For You If…You’re over 37 and struggling with new rage, brain fog, or sleep issuesYou’ve been told your blood tests are “normal,” but you feel brokenYou’ve been dismissed with antidepressants when your body was screaming hormonesYou’re curious about how HRT interacts with ADHD and stimulantsYou want validation that perimenopause isn’t hysteria — it’s biology in transition🧠 Resources for YouPerimenopause Symptom Tracker – Free self-check to see if what you’re experiencing might be perimenopause. Download here →Perimenopause ADHD Brain Fog Kit – Practical tools for mums dealing with brain fog, memory slips, and hormone chaos. Find it hereReferences & Resources MentionedDr Lara Briden website: https://www.larabriden.com/ Hormone Repair Manual — Lara’s book on navigating perimenopause:Lara Briden’s guide to natural treatment ideas for premenstrual mood symptoms: larabriden.com/top-6-natural-treatments-for-premenstrual-mood-symptomsInsights from Dr Jerilynn Prior in the final bonus session of The Hormone Whisperers: tanyaborowski.com/shop/p/the-hormone-whisperers-may25-recordingsRelated ADHD Mums EpisodesThe Perimenopause Crash — Progesterone, Stress, and the Rage Nobody Warned Us AboutHistamine + Hormones: Why You Feel Like You’re Falling Apart🎧 Listen now: HORMONES: HRT, ADHD & Perimenopause — What No One’s Explaining to Women — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 15, 202542 min

S3 Ep 4141. CONFESSION: Mums wrote in anonymously… and what they shared wrecked me

⚠️ Content Warning : This episode contains heavy confessions. These themes may be triggering for listeners with trauma histories or postnatal depression. Please listen with care and step away if you need to.These confessions prove you’re not broken, you’re not failing — and you’re definitely not alone.For the first time, Jane reads out anonymous confessions from ADHD mums — funny, dark, and painfully honest. These stories reveal the rage, exhaustion, shame, and survival that so many mums carry in silence. Instead of being dismissed as “bad parenting” or “not coping,” these confessions remind us: you’re not alone.What We Cover in This EpisodeFunny confessions that prove executive dysfunction runs the household (baby wipes on benches, noise-cancelling headphones at dinner)Heavier truths: rage in the chemist carpark, yelling at toddlers, dreams of driving awayHow shame grows in silence — and why saying it out loud breaks its gripEmotional dysregulation as central to ADHD, not a personal flaw (Dr Russell Barkley’s research)Why rage, dissociation, or shutdowns are survival responses — not weaknessHow sharing these confessions created relief, validation, and solidarityThis Episode Is For You If…You’ve screamed in the car or fantasised about running awayYou feel guilty for yelling, but can’t seem to stopYou’ve wondered if you’re the only mum who feels this wayYou crave relief from the shame spiral of “I should be coping better”You want to hear the raw, unfiltered truths other ADHD mums finally said out loudIf you’ve carried shame in silence, this episode will feel like exhale.References & Resources MentionedDr Gabor Maté — parenting doesn’t create dysfunction, it exposes where we’ve been unsupportedDr Russell Barkley — emotional dysregulation is central to ADHD, not secondaryADHD Mums Confession Box — share your truth anonymously and reduce the shameADHD Mums Facebook Group — connect with mums who get itRelated ADHD Mums EpisodesQuick Confession: 10 Things That Scare Me as an ADHD MumQuick Confession: I Don’t Always Like Being a ParentQuick Confession: Can You Love Someone and Still Dread Sex?🎧 Listen now: CONFESSION: Mums wrote in anonymously… and what they shared wrecked me — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auOptional Support If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. In Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or PANDA on 1300 726 306. If you’re outside Australia, please reach out to local crisis supports in your area.JOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 10, 20259 min

S3 Ep 4040. HORMONES: The Perimenopause Crash – Progesterone, Stress, and the Rage Nobody Warned Us About

Perimenopause can feel like being blindsided by a hormonal crash no one prepared you for. Mood swings, rage, insomnia, and anxiety get dumped in the ‘mum stress’ basket — as if biology crashing is just bad attitude.For ADHD mums, the mix of perimenopause and neurodivergence is like juggling knives while the floor gives way. This episode calls out the silence around perimenopause, explains the real biological shifts at play, and validates the lived experience of being dismissed when your body is in crisis.What We Cover in This EpisodeHow plummeting progesterone and rising stress hormones fuel rage and anxietyWhy ADHD + perimenopause is a double hit to emotional regulationThe invisible cost of being told ‘it’s just motherhood’Why the system ignores women’s health at this stage of lifeThe importance of recognising biology, not blaming characterThis Episode Is For You If…You’ve felt overwhelming rage or mood swings that don’t make senseDoctors, family, or friends have minimised your perimenopause symptomsYou’re an ADHD mum exhausted by exhaustion, sleepless nights, and slammed doorsYou need language that validates your experience instead of pathologising itYou’re ready to understand what’s really happening to your body🎧 Listen now: The Perimenopause Crash — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.au🧠 Resources for YouPerimenopause Symptom Tracker – Free self-check to see if what you’re experiencing might be perimenopause. Download here →Perimenopause ADHD Brain Fog Kit – Practical tools for mums dealing with brain fog, memory slips, and hormone chaos. Find it here📚 Related Resources:Kylie Smart (ADHD & women’s health naturopath) — DIY Your ADHD course with ADHD Consultation Package Dr Lara Bryden’s book on perimenopause — one of the few that actually explains what’s happening instead of gaslighting youADHD Mums Shop — resources and free assessment tools for ADHD and autism🎧 Other Episode with Kylie Smart:S1 E43 PMS and ADHD S1 E48 Supplements and ADHDJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.Topics CoveredADHD and perimenopause, ADHD mums and hormones, progesterone crash, perimenopause rage, neurodivergent women and menopause, stress hormones and ADHD, insomnia perimenopause, ADHD women’s health, hormone regulation in neurodivergence, menopause anxiety and rage, women’s health dismissal, ADHD mums podcast hormones series

Sep 8, 202516 min

S3 Ep 3939. CONFESSION: Can You Love Someone and Still Dread S*x?

‘Not tonight’ isn’t rejection — it’s survival. You can be deeply in love, feel safe and connected, and still feel absolutely no desire for sex. For neurodivergent mums, it’s not about being broken. It’s about being depleted. Burnout, overstimulation, resentment, and chronic executive load all take a toll — and desire doesn’t grow in captivity.This episode names the unspoken truth: you can love your partner and still dread intimacy when your nervous system is tapped out.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy love and desire aren’t the same thingHow ADHD, burnout, and motherhood impact libidoThe difference between rejection and depletionVoices from ADHD mums on how sex feels in burnoutWhy desire needs space, safety, and energy to returnSmall ways to honour yourself without guilt or shameThis Episode Is For You If…You’re in a healthy relationship but feel no desire for sexEven the thought of being touched feels like one more demandYou’ve been told ‘sex is proof of love’ but feel otherwiseYou’re burnt out, touched out, or running on emptyYou want to know you’re not broken for feeling this wayReferences & Resources MentionedEsther Perel — Psychotherapist and author whose work on intimacy highlights that desire needs space and autonomy to thrive — two things ADHD mums are rarely afforded.ADHD Mums Facebook Group — A safe, supportive space where thousands of mums share the unfiltered truth about ADHD, burnout, intimacy, and the realities of daily life.ADHD Mums Jotform Confession Box — An anonymous space where mums contributed raw, honest experiences about sex, exhaustion, and survival with ADHD.🎧 Other Episode with Kylie Smart:S1 E43 PMS and ADHD S1 E48 Supplements and ADHDIf you’ve ever felt alone in this, these episodes prove you’re not.🎧 Listen now: Can You Love Someone and Still Dread Sex? — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 3, 202513 min

S3 Ep 3838. QUICK RESET: The Hallway Hook That Saved My Sanity

School mornings feel like hostage negotiations — not routine. Missing shoes, weird sock meltdowns, vanishing library bags… and still the world says ‘just get more organised’. But ADHD families don’t run on habits — we run on cues.In this Quick Reset, Jane shares the one simple change that turned mornings from chaos into something survivable: the hallway hook. More than a place for bags, it’s an environmental accommodation that reduces the daily executive function tax every ADHD mum knows too well.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy ADHD mums pay an ‘executive function tax’ every morningHow visual cues beat willpower when it comes to routinesThe difference between neurotypical habits vs ADHD-friendly environmentsWhy a hallway hook (or any visual system) can save your sanityPractical tips for setting up ADHD-friendly launchpads at homeThis Episode Is For You If…You’ve aged 100 years by 9am thanks to school chaosYour kids’ bags, shoes, or library books disappear into another dimension dailyYou’ve been told you just need to ‘get organised’You know reminders and willpower aren’t enough — you need cues that workYou want one ADHD-friendly change that makes mornings survivableRelated ADHD Mums EpisodesS3 E31 The ADHD Mum’s Guide to Surviving School Mornings Without Tears (Theirs or Yours)S3 E10 QUICK RESET: Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?Check out School mini-series if you haven’t yetIf school mornings leave you burnt out before 9am, these episodes will hit close to home. Claim: “Neurodivergent people often rely on visual memory and object permanence strategies — like hallway hooks — to reduce executive function demands.”🔍 Research and References:Object Permanence & ADHD Barkley, R. A. (2014). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment.– Barkley discusses how deficits in working memory and internal visualisation affect how ADHD individuals manage time, tasks, and memory. Without visual cues (like hooks, labels, laid-out clothes), the brain can “forget” the task exists.Visual Cues and Home OrganisationTuckman, A. R. (2009). More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD.– Emphasises that visual systems (clear bins, hooks, laid-out outfits) help compensate for weak prospective memory and object permanence.Environmental Modifications for ADHDCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Parenting Children with ADHD.– Recommends home modifications including visual schedules, labelled areas, and consistent placement for items (e.g. a hook for every bag or jacket) to support task follow-through and independence.Executive Function Supports in Home Environments Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2010). Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention.– Notes the need for external structures like visual reminders and routine anchors for kids with ADHD who struggle with task initiation and transition.🎧 Listen now: Quick Reset: The Hallway Hook That Saved My Sanity — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.auJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.Episodes CoveredQuick Reset hallway hook ADHD mums, ADHD school mornings survival, executive function tax in families, ADHD-friendly morning routines, ADHD cues vs habits, ADHD parenting hacks, school chaos ADHD strategies, ADHD environmental accommodations, ADHD mums podcast quick reset

Sep 2, 20257 min

S3 Ep 3737. HORMONES: Histamine + Hormones – Why You Feel Like You’re Falling Apart

Doctors said anxiety. It turns out, for many ADHD mums, it’s actually hormones colliding with histamine.This episode kicks off our hormone mini-series with ADHD & women’s health naturopath Kylie Smart, exploring how histamine interacts with oestrogen, stress, and ADHD — and why so many mums are dismissed as “hysterical” or “anxious” when the truth is biochemical.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy doctors often misdiagnose hormone-related issues as anxietyWhat histamine is — and why it matters for ADHD and autistic womenHow histamine interacts with oestrogen, dopamine, and serotoninSymptoms linked to histamine issues: migraines, insomnia, heavy bleeding, rage, gut problemsThe overlap between histamine intolerance, mast cell activation, and ADHDSimple things you can try — from symptom tracking to food tweaks — while pushing for proper medical supportThis Episode Is For You If….You’ve been told your migraines, rage, or exhaustion are “just stress”You experience PMS/PMDD that feels like a breakdown weekYou notice mood swings, insomnia, or gut issues before your periodYou’re curious why “self-care” doesn’t touch hormone-related burnoutYou want to understand the real biology behind ADHD, hormones, and histamine🎧 Listen now: HORMONES: Histamine + Hormones – Why You Feel Like You’re Falling Apart — on Spotify, Apple, or adhdmums.com.au🧠 Resources for YouPerimenopause Symptom Tracker – Free self-check to see if what you’re experiencing might be perimenopause. Download here →Perimenopause ADHD Brain Fog Kit – Practical tools for mums dealing with brain fog, memory slips, and hormone chaos. Find it hereReferences & Resources MentionedADHD & women’s health naturopath who actually takes neurodivergent women seriously. Online clinic + courses: kyliesmart.com.au🎧 Other Episode with Kylie Smart:S1 E43 PMS and ADHD S1 E48 Supplements and ADHDJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

Sep 1, 202520 min

S3 Ep 3636. QUICK RESET: They said don't label him, so he suffered in silence

‘Don’t label her,’ they said. Now she cries herself to sleep, wondering why she’s too much. 💔That’s what happens when kids grow up different but unsupported. The world never calls it ADHD — it calls it bossy, weird, difficult. And children believe it.In this Quick Reset, Jane McFadden unpacks the real cost of avoiding diagnosis. Parents often fear labels, but silence does more harm. Kids who don’t get language and support end up creating their own labels: dumb, lazy, unloveable.💬 In This Episode:Why silence teaches children they’re the problemHow kids self-label when their struggles go unseenThe hidden pain of quiet, internalising ADHD kidsWhy early diagnosis isn’t limiting — it’s liberatingHow support changes outcomes for neurodivergent kids and families💭 This episode is for you if: – You’ve been told ‘don’t label your child’ – You worry a diagnosis will box them in – You’re raising a quiet ADHD or autistic child who ‘never causes trouble’References and Related Resources:ADHD Mums Facebook Group – Join here Research on Identity Formation– Studies highlight how early diagnosis supports stronger self-identity in neurodivergent childrenKristin Neff’s Research on Self-Compassion – Self-Compassion resourcesResearch on Early Identification of ADHD – Evidence shows early identification improves long-term mental health and resilienceRelated Episodes:S2E54 How to Talk to Your Child About ADHD – practical language and scripts for conversationsJOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.Topics covered: ADHD diagnosis stigma, internalising ADHD kids, ADHD self-esteem, ADHD parenting support, quiet ADHD, early intervention

Aug 27, 202516 min

S3 Ep 3535. You Were the Good Girl. That’s Why You’re Falling Apart Now.

You keep the house running. You hold the emotions. You never say no. And still, part of you wonders if you’re doing enough.This solo episode isn’t just about perfectionism or people pleasing — it’s about the deeper pattern so many ADHD mums live inside without realising it: good girl conditioning. Jane peels back the layers of expectation, guilt, trauma, and survival-mode coping that lead neurodivergent women to break down quietly behind closed doors.From childhood masking to motherhood martyrdom, this one hits deep — and offers five strategies to start peeling off the pressure without losing yourself in the process.💡 What We Cover:What ‘good girl conditioning’ actually is (it’s not just a personality quirk)Why ADHD + perfectionism = emotional burnout on steroidsThe five signs you’ve internalised good girl roles — and how they sabotage you dailyWhy neurodivergent women are more vulnerable to this dynamic (even if they’re high achieving)The invisible ways this shows up in parenting, partnership, and school settingsThe conditioning phrases we grew up hearing — and how they shaped our self-worthHow to start unlearning without upending your whole life (yet)Five daily strategies to gently shift from martyrdom to self-worth (without adding more to your to-do list)🔗 Resources & Links:🧠 Research cited:Sanders & Munford (2008) – ‘Good Girl Identity as a Social Strategy’🧰 Tools & kits mentioned:Mental Load Reset Kit ADHD Planner & Personal Values Workbook✍️ Submit feedback, questions or stories via the listener jotform: https://form.jotform.com/251238118486864🎧 Listen NowIf your nervous system feels like it’s fraying — but you can’t stop making lists, saying yes, or “just getting on with it” — this episode is for you. Listen in, let it crack something open, and start building a life that includes you in the equation.📲 Hit play. Send to a friend. Save it for the next moment you wonder if it’s just you (it’s not).JOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected] RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.Topics Covered In This Episode:ADHD and perfectionism, people pleasing ADHD mums, masking in girls, emotional labour of motherhood, internalised ableism ADHD, ADHD and good girl syndrome, rejection sensitivity and burnout, parenting while neurodivergent, perfectionism trauma response, motherhood martyrdom, ADHD mum fatigue, boundaries and ADHD, late-diagnosed ADHD women, masking exhaustion, Sanders and Munford 2008 study, neurodivergent self-worth, ADHD social conditioning, ADHD mums mental health, ADHD emotional suppression, ADHD values planner

Aug 26, 202529 min

S3 Ep 3134. Is It Social Anxiety — or Is It Autism

You can’t ‘train’ a brain to enjoy being flooded with noise, light, smells, and chaos. You can only push it until it shuts down — or shuts you out. Yet families are told every day that ‘exposure therapy’ will fix sensory overwhelm. In this episode, we talk about why that’s not just wrong — it’s dangerous. You’ll learn: How to tell the difference between fear-based and processing-based struggles. Why getting the label right matters for getting the support right. The long-term impact on trust and resilience when supports are mismatched. What meltdowns in public spaces really mean (hint: it’s not bad behaviour). Practical ways to adapt environments so kids can thrive without being pushed past breaking point. If you’ve ever dragged your child through a noisy, bright, overwhelming place and watched them unravel, this episode will make you feel seen — and give you the language to advocate for real change. 💛 Listen now: Spotify: Apple Podcasts: Website: adhdmums.com.au References & Related Resources Amanda Moses Psychology – Upcoming Event: Understanding Masked Autism Amanda Moses on Instagram: @amandamosespsychology Related ADHD Mums Episodes: S2E82 ADHD or PTSD? Why So Many Women Are Misdiagnosed (with Amanda Moses) – one of the most downloaded episodes referenced in this discussion S2E20 The Worst Assessment Process Ever (with Dina Robertson) – story of a 10-year fight for a diagnosis ADHD Mums Free Resource: ADHD & Autism Assessment Tool – check under the Free Resources section JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered sensory overwhelm autism ADHD and sensory processing exposure therapy for autistic child fear-based vs processing-based anxiety sensory overload in children autism and public meltdowns trauma from exposure therapy supporting sensory sensitive kidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 25, 202533 min

S3 Ep 3333. CONFESSIONS: I Don’t Always Like Being a Parent

Sometimes parenting feels like being pecked to death by tiny, unstable chickens. We love our kids fiercely — but that doesn’t mean we have to love every single moment of raising them. In this unfiltered Quick Reset, Jane says the thing so many ADHD mums are scared to admit out loud: I don’t always like being a parent. And no — that doesn’t make you a bad mum. It makes you human. From the endless to-do lists and medical appointments to the sensory overload and invisible labour, parenting as a neurodivergent mum is a full-body, full-time emotional marathon. And when you’re doing it without enough support, it’s no wonder your nervous system is running in the red. Jane breaks down the science of parental burnout, the myths that make mums feel guilty for struggling, and the quiet ways we can reclaim honesty, capacity, and space — without toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine. 💬 In this episode, we cover: Why it’s normal to feel touched-out, overstimulated, and over it The clinical research on parental burnout — especially for ADHD mums How gratitude and burnout can coexist (and why ‘but you chose this’ is unhelpful) Scripts for asking for space — with or without telling the truth Why emotional honesty helps our kids more than pretending to be happy 💭 This episode is for you if: – You’ve ever thought, I can’t do this for one more second — and then kept going anyway– You’re tired of feeling guilty for not loving every moment of motherhood– You want permission to name the hard stuff without fear of judgment 📥 Add your own anonymous confession: 👉 https://form.jotform.com/251238072679867 🔗  References Parental Burnout (2021 Study)  - A clinical study found that 12.9% of parents met clinical levels of parental burnout, with symptoms most common in mothers—especially those with perfectionism, neurodivergence, or low social support. Regret in Parenthood (2015 Study, British Parents) - Research revealed that 8% of British parents regret having children, highlighting how unprepared many were for the realities of parenting. Torn in Two: The Experience of Maternal Ambivalence by Rozsika Parker - This book explores how it is completely normal to love your child while disliking aspects of motherhood, offering a compassionate look at maternal ambivalence. Unequal Care Work (2022 Study on Heterosexual Households) - A recent study showed that women in heterosexual households do 2.5x more unpaid care work than men, often paired with feelings of guilt for not fully enjoying it. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics covered in this episode: ADHD mums, parental burnout, parenting shame, invisible load, executive dysfunction, emotional honesty, sensory overwhelm, overstimulation, parental regret, perfectionism, trauma triggers, motherhood myths, parenting capacity, neurodivergent parenting, chronic stress, guilt cycles, self-compassion, scripts for space, toxic positivity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 20, 202512 min

S3 Ep 3232. QUICK RESET: My child is being bullied and I'm supposed to stay calm

Your child comes home from school withdrawn, teary, or exploding in rage — and you’re expected to stay calm. Every cell in your body wants to burn the system down, but the school says ‘We’re handling it’. You can see your child’s spark dimming, and you’re being told to keep your emotions in check so you’re not labelled ‘the emotional mum’. Psychologist Mona Delahooke reminds us that children’s behaviour is a direct reflection of their nervous system regulation. If your child shuts down, lashes out, avoids, cries, or seems ‘off’, it’s often their nervous system saying: I’m not safe. And safety isn’t about compliance — a child can ‘behave’ all day and still be in distress. Dr Gabor Maté talks about how children’s experiences can activate a parent’s own unresolved trauma — especially for mothers. If you grew up feeling unprotected or disbelieved, protecting your child may feel like your number one mission. But when you’re operating from that deep trigger, the intensity can sometimes lead to mistakes — not because you’re wrong to protect them, but because the system forces you to fight while dysregulated yourself. This episode is for every parent sitting in that impossible gap between fury and strategy. Jane unpacks the nervous system science, the emotional triggers, and the practical advocacy steps that actually protect your child — without burning yourself out in the process. You’ll learn: How to recognise when your child’s behaviour is a nervous system ‘distress signal’ Why staying calm isn’t about ignoring your emotions — it’s about using them effectively What to do before approaching the school, so you’re heard instead of dismissed How to document incidents and escalate without losing trust or credibility The fine line between resilience-building and retraumatising Scripts and safety plans that support both you and your child Because protecting your child and staying grounded aren’t opposites — they’re both part of getting results that last. 🔗 ADHD Mums Resource The 4 F's FREE Resource & the Bullying Response Kit – A step-by-step guide to navigating school bullying, with scripts, documentation templates, and emotional regulation tools for both you and your child. Get the Kit here Making School Work - Your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter. Get it here A Kit for Making the Mental Load Visible - This kit gives you practical, ADHD-friendly ways to offload invisible tasks and delegate in a way that actually sticks – without micromanaging, nagging, or having it boomerang straight back onto you. Get the Kit here 🎧 Related Episodes Raising Strong Children: How to Support Without Always Solving Their Problems – Emma Rose Spotify: Listen here Apple Podcasts: Listen here QUICK RESET: Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does  Spotify: Listen here   Apple Podcasts: Listen here SCHOOL SERIES: When School Stops Feeling Safe Spotify: Listen here   Apple Podcasts: Listen here JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered in This Episode bullying prevention, ADHD parenting, school advocacy, nervous system regulation, fight-flight-freeze-fawn, co-regulation, trauma triggers, Dr Mona Delahooke, Dr Gabor Maté, documenting incidents, resilience vs trauma, protecting trust with teens, emotional safety in schools, trauma-informed parenting, parent nervous system repairSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 202528 min

S3 Ep 3131. The ADHD Mum’s Guide to Surviving School Mornings Without Tears (Theirs or Yours)

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 JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 18, 202533 min

S3 Ep 3030. MY UPDATE: The Lipedema Op: The Invisible Illness You Weren’t Supposed to Notice

If you’ve already heard MY UPDATE: What Happens When You Lose the Meds That Helped You Survive, you know Part 1 ended on the decision to have lipedema surgery after years of chronic pain, medical dismissal, and the sudden loss of ADHD medication. This is what happened next. In this follow-up episode, Jane takes you behind the curtain of the surgery itself — the reality of navigating a system that still sidelines women’s pain, the complications that no one warns you about, and the rare heart condition that made recovery far more complex than expected. From confronting family history to managing without ADHD meds during the most physically demanding season of her life, Jane shares the messy truth of advocating for your health when the system isn’t built for you. It’s raw, unfiltered, and painfully familiar for anyone who’s ever been left to fight for care they shouldn’t have to beg for. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: What surgery for lipedema is actually like — and what recovery demands of your body The rare heart finding that changed everything mid-recovery The emotional toll of being unsupported in hospital The overlap between lipedema, neurodivergence, and chronic illness How losing ADHD medication in the middle of recovery amplified every challenge Why women’s health advocacy has to start with telling the full, unvarnished story 💭 This episode is for you if: – You listened to Part 1 and want to know the full story– You’ve experienced surgery or medical treatment without adequate support– You’re living with invisible illness and fighting to be believed– You’ve faced the grief of losing tools that helped you function Listen to Part 1: What Happens When You Lose the Meds That Helped You Survive Check out IG posts here. 📚 Resources & References Related Episodes: Connection Between ADHD, EDS and POTS Listen here on Spotify Listen here on Apple Lipedema surgery information ADHD Mums blog post  — Photos, personal journey, and practical tips for navigating the lipedema surgery system. Check your symptoms – Lipedema Foundation — Clear, accessible checklist to help identify potential signs of lipedema and start informed conversations with health providers. 💓 SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) Heart Foundation – Heart Arrhythmia & SVT — Evidence-based info on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for heart rhythm conditions including SVT. 🦓 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)  Ehlers-Danlos Society Australia — Advocacy, support, and medical resources for people with EDS. Episode 41: ADHD + EDS and POTS – Spotify | Apple Podcast — How these conditions overlap, with expert and lived-experience insight. Episode 62: Burnout, Pain & Weird Symptoms? The ADHD Link No One Told Us About – Spotify | Apple Podcast — The hidden ADHD links to chronic pain, fatigue, and “mystery” symptoms. 🧬 RYR2 rare heart gene MedlinePlus – RYR2 Gene Information — Plain-language explanation of this rare genetic variant linked to heart rhythm issues. 💬 Community  ADHD Mums Facebook Group — A safe, neuro-affirming space to connect with other ADHD mums, share resources, and get support. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: lipedema surgery, invisible illness, women’s health gaslighting, rare heart conditions, SVT, RYR2 gene, ADHD medication access, stimulant withdrawal, chronic illness grief, hypermobility, ARFID, anorexia history, medical trauma, neurodivergent women’s health, hospital recovery, emotional regulation, executive dysfunction, parenting with chronic illness, survival mode, neuroaffirming support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 202515 min

S3 Ep 2929. MY UPDATE: What Happens When You Lose the Meds That Helped You Survive

This isn’t just about medication. It’s about the pattern so many ADHD mums find themselves in — chasing answers, finding partial relief, and then hitting a wall you never saw coming. In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jane shares the deeply personal story of what happened when her body could no longer tolerate ADHD medication — and how a lifetime of overlapping diagnoses, chronic conditions, and medical gaslighting shaped the road to that moment. From discovering she had lipedema after years of pain, to navigating a brutal and underfunded surgery system, this is an honest account of resilience, privilege, and the fight to be taken seriously in a medical landscape that often dismisses women’s health. It’s about grief for the tools you lose, hope for the ones you gain, and the messy truth of managing ADHD when your options suddenly shrink. 💬 In this episode, we cover: The moment ADHD meds stopped being an option — and what came next The hidden connection between neurodivergence and lipedema What lipedema actually is (and why it’s so often misdiagnosed) The physical and emotional toll of chronic pain What it’s like to navigate an inaccessible surgery system in Australia Why women’s pain is still minimised, dismissed, and underfunded The real cost — financial, physical, emotional — of managing an “invisible” disability What needs to change so ADHD mums aren’t left without safe, effective support 💭 This episode is for you if: – You’ve ever had to choose between functioning and your health– You’ve been dismissed or told to “just lose weight” when something was wrong– You want to understand the overlap between ADHD, autism, chronic pain, and women’s health neglect– You’re tired of hearing “we can’t help you” from the systems meant to support you Check out IG posts here. Listen to Part 2: The Lipedema Op: The Invisible Illness You Weren’t Supposed to Notice 📚 Resources & References Related Episodes: Connection Between ADHD, EDS and POTS Listen here on Spotify Listen here on Apple Lipedema surgery information ADHD Mums blog post  — Photos, personal journey, and practical tips for navigating the lipedema surgery system. Check your symptoms – Lipedema Foundation — Clear, accessible checklist to help identify potential signs of lipedema and start informed conversations with health providers. 💓 SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) Heart Foundation – Heart Arrhythmia & SVT — Evidence-based info on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for heart rhythm conditions including SVT. 🦓 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)  Ehlers-Danlos Society Australia — Advocacy, support, and medical resources for people with EDS. Episode 41: ADHD + EDS and POTS – Spotify | Apple Podcast — How these conditions overlap, with expert and lived-experience insight. Episode 62: Burnout, Pain & Weird Symptoms? The ADHD Link No One Told Us About – Spotify | Apple Podcast — The hidden ADHD links to chronic pain, fatigue, and “mystery” symptoms. 🧬 RYR2 rare heart gene MedlinePlus – RYR2 Gene Information — Plain-language explanation of this rare genetic variant linked to heart rhythm issues. 💬 Community  ADHD Mums Facebook Group — A safe, neuro-affirming space to connect with other ADHD mums, share resources, and get support. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD medication side effects, ADHD mums, stimulant intolerance, lipedema, neurodivergence and chronic illness, women’s health funding, medical gaslighting, ADHD alternatives, chronic pain management, surgery access Australia, disability advocacy, invisible disability, health privilege, neuroaffirming care, ADHD burnout, emotional resilience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 202512 min

S3 Ep 2828. ADHD Meds, Access & Equity — What Families Need Policymakers to Hear

With Special Guest: NSW Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson 💬 “It shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars and 12 months on a waitlist just to feel like a functioning parent.” For years, ADHD families have been begging for change — and this time, someone in government actually listened. In this landmark conversation, Jane is joined by NSW Minister Rose Jackson to talk about what’s finally shifting in ADHD healthcare access — and why it matters for every overwhelmed family, not just those in Sydney. They cover everything from GP prescribing reforms to the national medication shortage, and what’s really happening behind the scenes on the ADHD policy agenda. This isn’t just a political update — it’s the emotional and systemic reality check that neurodivergent families deserve. 🔥 WHAT’S INSIDE THIS EPISODE 🧠 Diagnosis Access is Changing Why NSW is opening up ADHD diagnosis + prescribing to GPs (finally) — and what that means for you. 💊 The ADHD Medication Crisis Where things stand with the stimulant shortage, and what states are (and aren’t) doing about it. 📍 Rural + Regional Families How these reforms are finally recognising the postcode penalty for ADHD care. 📉 Breaking the Specialist Bottleneck Why removing repeat script requirements from psychiatrists could free up the whole system. 🧾 The Cost of Getting Help The quiet injustice of being forced to ‘start from scratch’ (and pay for it) every time you change providers. 🏫 Support in Schools Why we can’t keep waiting for kids to ‘fail badly enough’ before they get help — and what’s changing in NSW classrooms. 💭 FOR YOU IF:– You’ve been stuck on a 12-month waitlist and wondering if anyone in power actually understands– You’ve had to choose between groceries and an ADHD consult– You want policy change that’s built on lived experience — not more red tape 📢 WE NEED YOUR VOICE Jane and Rose talk openly about how real change doesn’t start in Parliament — it starts in platforms like this. If this episode fired you up, share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone in the fight for accessible ADHD care. 📢 Advocacy + Petitions • 🏫 Schools in Crisis Petition – Sign here • ⚖️ NDIS Cuts Petition – Sign here 👊 Because families shouldn’t have to burn out just to access basic care. 🧰 RELATED RESOURCES ADHD Medication Advocacy Guide ADHD Planner & Personal Values Workbook Find an ADHD-affirming paediatrician or psychiatrist TGA Medication Shortage Portal Blog Version JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.   🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD medication access, stimulant shortage Australia, ADHD mums, GP prescribing reforms, ADHD diagnosis barriers, rural healthcare inequality, mental health policy, Rose Jackson, neurodivergent families, ADHD advocacy, government reform, school support for ADHD, medication equity, ADHD specialist bottleneck, parenting burnout, invisible disability, ADHD and cost of living, PBS restrictions, TGA stimulant updates, accessible diagnosis, ADHD health crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 11, 202534 min

S3 Ep 2727. CONFESSIONS: 10 Things That Scare Me as an ADHD Mum

This episode isn’t polished. It’s not another “mum guilt” talk with a tidy little bow. It’s a confession — 10 brutally honest fears that live under the surface of parenting with ADHD. The kind you lie awake thinking about. The kind you’re scared to say out loud. From burnout to school calls, masking to medical forms — this Quick Reset is for the mums who are terrified of missing something important. Who love their kids fiercely, but carry a quiet dread that they’re not doing enough. Jane gets real about what it feels like to parent while managing executive dysfunction, health issues, shame spirals, and a system that was never built for us. This isn’t weakness. It’s truth. And you’re not the only one thinking it. 🧠 What’s Inside:• The panic of forgetting library day… again• School calls that make your stomach drop• The invisible mental load of paperwork, NDIS, permission slips, admin• Fears you’ll burn out — and not bounce back this time• Wondering if teachers think you’re the problem• The heartbreak of feeling like chaos will outshine your love• Masking with friends and fearing rejection if you're fully yourself• Medical neglect, chronic fatigue, and fearing you're running out of time 💬 This isn’t just a list. It’s a reckoning.Each fear is unpacked through the lens of ADHD neurology, emotional time travel, rejection sensitivity, and the legacy of being told to ‘just try harder’. Jane also tackles four common myths ADHD mums are told — and gives you the actual research to push back. 💥 This episode is for you if:– You live with a constant, low-level fear of forgetting something vital– You feel like your brain is fighting a system built against you– You want to know that someone else gets it — fully, honestly, no fluff 📥 Share your own:This episode is part of the CONFESSIONS series. If you’d like to add your own anonymous confession (or be featured in a future episode), submit it here:👉 https://form.jotform.com/251238072679867 📚 Mentioned in this episode:• ADHD Planner & Personal Values Workbook — a practical, non-performative way to anchor your week when everything feels like a blur. https://adhdmums.com.au/product/adhd-planner-and-values/ JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:ADHD mums, parenting fear, school anxiety, rejection sensitivity, executive dysfunction, school trauma, mental load, invisible labour, masking, burnout, internalised shame, school admin stress, permission slip guilt, hypervigilance, chronic fatigue, parenting overwhelm, ADHD parenting truths, self-worth, vulnerability, real motherhood, emotional honesty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 6, 202513 min

S3 Ep 2626. QUICK RESET: Why You Keep Waking at 3am — And It’s Not Just Anxiety

If you’ve ever jolted awake at 3:11am spiralling over something you said in 2019 — you are not alone. This Quick Reset is for the mums lying in bed, exhausted but wired, wondering if their brain is broken. (Spoiler: it’s not.) In this raw and validating episode, Jane unpacks the real reasons so many neurodivergent women are waking up in the middle of the night. It’s not just anxiety. It’s hormones, cortisol spikes, perimenopause, trauma, overstimulation — and nervous systems that have been stuck in survival mode for years. This episode gives you permission to stop blaming yourself for ‘bad sleep’ and start exploring what your body might actually be trying to say. ✨ IN THIS RESET:• Why you might wake up at the exact same time every night• What progesterone and GABA have to do with your 3am brain spiral• Cortisol spikes, perimenopause, and stress-pattern sleep• Why lying in bed makes it worse — and what to do instead• The ‘entree thought’ that leads to a full-blown shame tornado• Real stories, lived experience, and no-pressure ideas to try• What actually helped Jane stop dreading the night 💭 This episode is for you if:– You wake up at 3am and feel like your brain is on fire– You spiral through every mistake you’ve ever made — and then still have to parent all day– You’ve tried all the sleep hygiene hacks and nothing works 📥 Grab free ADHD resources at: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/  📖 Read Blog Version HERE. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E22 Why self-care feels like another fucking task: Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E24 The ADHD Myth of 'Just try Harder': Spotify | Apple Podcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:3am wakeups, ADHD insomnia, perimenopause, neurodivergent women, cortisol spikes, progesterone crash, GABA regulation, executive dysfunction, trauma-affected sleep, emotional overload, hormone dysregulation, ADHD parenting, internalised anxiety, rejection sensitivity, hypervigilance, shame spiral, ADHD women, sleep and trauma, chronic stress patterns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 5, 202513 min

S3 Ep 2525. The Emotional Load of Raising Neurodivergent Girls and How to Lighten It

What if the exhaustion you're carrying isn’t about your daughter’s needs — but about the systems stacked against her? In this fiercely honest conversation, Jane sits down with Katie Koullas, founder of Yellow Ladybugs, to unpack the invisible weight neurodivergent mums carry while raising autistic and ADHD girls. From masking to missed diagnoses, perfectionism to protection — this episode doesn’t shy away from the real stuff. It validates the hell out of the lived experience of raising girls who internalise everything and explode only when no one’s watching. Katie shares her experience as a mum, advocate, and changemaker, giving voice to the deep guilt, relentless fear, and raw love that shape this reality — and what she’s learned about lightening the emotional load without selling your soul in the process. 💡 What We Cover: • Why the emotional load isn’t about your daughter — it’s about the world she’s navigating• The heartbreak of watching your daughter mask to survive• The reality of invisible struggles in schools, friendships, and diagnosis• How society gaslights and minimises internalising neurodivergent girls• How mums can reframe guilt, lean into radical acceptance, and still model strength• What burnout looks like when you're carrying it all — and how to catch it before it knocks you out• How we actually start changing the systems (hint: stop waiting for the neurotypicals)• What Katie wishes every mum raising a neurodivergent daughter had access to 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about Yellow Ladybugs and register for the June conference: yellowladybugs.com.au Follow Katie and Yellow Ladybugs on Instagram  Related episodes: When School Becomes the Trauma (S3E2) | Spotify | Apple Podcast Burnout Starts in the Classroom (S3E3) | Spotify | Apple Podcast RSD & Emotional Intensity (S2 Ep 81) | Spotify | Apple Podcast 🎧 Listen Now: If you’ve ever felt like you’re parenting in secret, constantly translating your daughter’s needs to people who just don’t get it — this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Tune in, share it with another mum carrying too much, and remind yourself you’re not failing — you’re unsupported. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD masking, autistic girls, neurodivergent parenting, emotional burnout, ADHD and guilt, internalisers, invisible needs in school, Yellow Ladybugs, neuroaffirming support, autism diagnosis, teenage girls and shutdowns, parent burnout, sensory overload, radical acceptance parenting, co-regulation exhaustion, ADHD shame, internalised ableism, school system failure, masking and meltdown, ADHD mum support, ADHD podcast Australia, Katie Koullas, neurodivergent self-advocacy, changing the system as a mum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 4, 202541 min

S3 Ep 2424.  QUICK RESET: The ADHD Myth of 'Just try Harder'

If you’ve ever stood frozen in the kitchen, fully aware of what needs doing — and still couldn’t start — this episode is for you. This week’s Quick Reset tears apart the toxic myth that ADHD mums just need to “try harder.” Jane unpacks what’s actually happening when your brain stalls, and why shame, not laziness, is often the real culprit. From inner critics echoing old failures to the neuroscience behind executive dysfunction, this is a raw, validating, and darkly funny call to stop blaming effort — and start working with your brain instead. You’ll learn practical, low-pressure strategies to get started (no, not with a new app), and finally understand why “just do it” advice doesn’t just fail ADHD mums — it hurts us. ✨ IN THIS RESET: The damaging myth of laziness and willpower How shame shuts down executive function Why ADHD is not about motivation — it’s about regulation What to say to yourself instead of “I just need to focus” Brain-based strategies for task initiation that actually help Real talk about fridge purchases, hyperfocus, and starting vs finishing Why “trying harder” never fixed burnout — and never will 💭 This episode is for you if:– You keep thinking, “I should be able to do this” — but can’t start– You’ve got planners, lists, and alarms… and still feel stuck– You want to stop spiralling into shame and start using strategies that work for your brain 🔗 Sources & Citations: Brown, T. E. (2006). Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults. Yale University Press. Barkley, R. A., Murphy, K. R., & Fischer, M. (2006). The ADHD Report, 14(6), 6–11. Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Kollins, S. H., Wigal, T. L., Newcorn, J. H., Telang, F., ... & Swanson, J. M. (2011). “Motivation deficit in ADHD is associated with dysfunction of the dopamine reward pathway.” Molecular Psychiatry, 16(11), 1147–1154. Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S. (2005). “Causal models of ADHD: From common simple deficits to multiple developmental pathways.” Biological Psychiatry, 57(11), 1231–1238. 📚 Mentioned Resource: ADHD Planner & Personal Values Workbook — Designed to help you rebuild capacity, re-centre your day, and stop measuring your worth by productivity. Explore more ADHD-friendly resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E22 Why self-care feels like another fucking task: Spotify | Apple Podcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED:ADHD executive dysfunction, task initiation, parenting with ADHD, emotional regulation, ADHD shame spiral, performance parenting, burnout, trauma-informed self-support, neuroaffirming strategies, inner critic, motivation myths, hyperfocus, late diagnosis, ADHD overwhelm, doing things differently, permission to rest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 202514 min

S3 Ep 2323. ADHD Meds Won’t Fix Everything – Now What?

With special guest: Jayde Couldewell from Beyond the Bump If you thought finally getting a diagnosis and trying meds would be the end of your chaos — but you’re still overwhelmed, melting down, or yelling into the void — this one’s for you. In this raw, funny, and emotionally honest episode, Jane is joined by Jayde Couldewell to talk about what really happens after diagnosis. Spoiler: the meds help, but they’re not the whole story. Together, they unpack what comes next — from executive function and exercise, to morning meltdowns and postnatal rage, to finally being able to hear your own thoughts. Jayde shares the real-life before-and-after: what it took to make consistent change after starting meds, why boundaries mattered more than bubble baths, and how she learned to parent herself while parenting three kids. ✨ IN THIS RESET: Why ADHD meds are a powerful tool — but not a magic fix The grief and clarity that comes with late diagnosis How self-understanding created space for real change Building habits with ADHD (without making it a full-time job) Why it’s normal to need more than just one script The difference between the ‘old you’ and your real self underneath the chaos How to start small — and stay kind to yourself when it feels hard 💭 This episode is for you if: – You’re newly diagnosed and wondering what now?– You’re still waiting for the mythical “life-changing moment” after meds– You want to see how someone made it work — without toxic positivity or 5am bootcamps Follow Beyond the Bump Podcast on IG. 📥 Related Resources: • Free ADHD Medication Advocacy Guide • TGA Medication Shortage Portal 🎧 Related Episodes: S2E38 How ADHD medication revealed my Autistic traits | Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E39 Misdiagnosis in ADHD and Bipolar Disorder with Georgia Poletti-Moulds | Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E61 Unhealthy Habits & ADHD: Why We Get Stuck & How to Shift | Spotify | Apple Podcast S2E82 ADHD or PTSD? Why So Many Women Are Misdiagnosed with Amanda Moses | Spotify | Apple Podcast Beyond the Bump Episode 208: ADHD - is it mum overwhelm or could it be something more? Talking ADHD in women | Spotify | Apple Podcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD diagnosis, stimulant medication, late-diagnosed women, executive dysfunction, self-care with ADHD, postnatal rage, parenting burnout, creating new routines, morning overwhelm, neurodivergent mums, co-regulation, antidepressants, sensory processing, shame recovery, trauma-informed support, adult ADHD, performance burnout, self-trust, ADHD and exercise, nervous system healing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 28, 202534 min

S3 Ep 2222. QUICK RESET: Why self-care feels like another f*cking task

If someone tells you to take a bubble bath one more time, you might scream. This Quick Reset is a no-filter, nervous-system-level rant for every ADHD mum who’s been told that a massage will fix her burnout. Jane unpacks why the whole self-care industry is fundamentally mismatched to neurodivergent mums — and how pretending we feel better after one ‘treat’ just leads to more shame, not recovery. From sensory overload and executive dysfunction to the rage of being handed a “Mother’s Day spa voucher” after 364 days of unpaid emotional labour, this episode calls out the delusion of performance rest — and offers honest alternatives that might actually increase your capacity to survive. ✨ IN THIS RESET: Why typical self-care advice feels like a slap in the face How ADHD brains struggle to “relax on command” The truth behind fake rest, survival mode, and executive dysfunction What to do when even the bath feels too hard How to find five-minute moments that actually help (without a full routine) A very real story about walking 50 metres to put the bins out — slowly 💭 This episode is for you if:– You’re drowning in responsibility and someone suggests yoga– You’ve tried rest but felt more resentful than rested– You want to stop surviving a system that breaks you, blames you, and offers a bubble bath as compensation References 📚Brown, T. E. (2013). A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults: Executive Function Impairments. Routledge. 📚 *Price, D. (2021). Laziness Does Not Exist. Atria Books. 📚 Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved. Guilford Press. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Read the blog version of this episode: https://adhdmums.com.au/quick-reset-why-self-care-feels-like-another-fcking-task/  TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD mums, performance parenting, fake rest, executive dysfunction, parenting burnout, self-care shame, chronic dysregulation, ADHD and motherhood, cortisol overload, trauma-informed parenting, invisible load, overfunctioning, resentment cycle, Mother's Day rage, self-care myths, rest as survival, emotional labour, ADHD sensory processing, real recovery, neurodivergent rest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 23, 202512 min

S3 Ep 1921. SCHOOL SERIES: The Future of Neurodivergent Education: What Needs to Change?

If you've ever walked out of a school meeting wondering how it could all feel so wrong — this episode is for you. In the powerful final instalment of the ADHD Mums School Series, Jane is joined by neurodivergent educator Millie Carr to reimagine what school could be — if we stopped prioritising performance over people. Together, they unpack how traditional education models are burning out not only our kids, but also the parents, teachers, and professionals trying to hold it all together. From sensory trauma to compliance-driven behaviour plans, this episode explores the uncomfortable truth: our current system isn’t broken — it was built this way. But that doesn’t mean we can’t shift it. You’ll hear stories, systems critique, and practical frameworks for creating school environments that don’t just tolerate neurodivergence — but truly honour it. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: Why behaviour plans and positive reinforcement often fail neurodivergent kids The myth of “readiness” and why regulation must come before learning Trauma-aware, neuro-affirming practice — what it actually looks like Why ‘calm’ doesn’t mean regulated, and how masking is rewarded in school What schools misunderstand about sensory needs, social withdrawal, and shutdown How parents, teachers, and allied professionals can challenge the system together The role of leadership, training, and funding in making lasting change Why fixing school is about collective regulation, not individual resilience 💭 This episode is for you if:– You’ve had to choose between education and emotional safety– You’re tired of being told “they’re fine here” when your child is unraveling at home– You want to understand how schools could work — and what has to shift for that to happen Related Episodes with Millie Carr How to Tell Your Child About Their Diagnosis: Essential Do's and Don'ts. | Spotify | Apple Podcast Camouflaging ADHD and Autistic Traits in Girls | Spotify | Apple Podcast The Neurodiverse Classroom | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES: When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES: Burnout Starts in the Classroom — And Follows Them Home | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES: The Great Gaslighting: When Schools Say We Don’t See It | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES -IEP Meetings Are Broken — Here’s What to Say Instead | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES: When School Stops Feeling Safe | Spotify | Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES:  How to Choose a School That Won’t Break Your Kid (or You) | Spotify | Apple Podcast 📥 Related Resources:– The School Choice Kit: A neuro-affirming guide to help you choose a school that works for your child — not against them. Includes school tour scripts, red flag/green flag checklists, and practical planning tools.– Read the blog version of this episode HERE. 🔗 References & Resources from Millie Carr Frameworks & Programs: Berry Street Education ModelBerry Street Education Model – Learning and Resources Social Stencil (Neurodiversity-affirming social and emotional program)Social Stencil Website Mental Health Fund and Menu – VIC Department of Education(Schools can access mental health programs tailored to student needs; menu attached where available)Mental Health Menu Overview – VIC DET Universal Design for Learning (UDL) GuidelinesCAST UDL Guidelines 📚 Recommended Books: The Neurodiverse Classroom: A Teacher's Guide to Individual Learning Needs and How to Meet Themby Victoria HoneybourneAvailable on Amazon Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classroomsby Tom BrunzellAvailable on Booktopia Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supportedby Emily Kircher-MorrisAvailable on Booktopia The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mindby Dr Daniel J. Siegel and Dr Tina Payne BrysonAvailable on Amazon Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Resources Mentioned: 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au �

Jul 21, 202550 min

S3 Ep 2020. SCHOOL SERIES: How to Choose a School That Won’t Break Your Kid (or You)

If you're a neurodivergent parent staring down the impossible decision of where to send your child to school — this episode is for you. Forget the glossy brochures and test score spreadsheets. In this raw, strategic conversation, Jane and Millie Carr walk you through the real questions to ask, the red flags to watch for, and how to trust your gut when it comes to choosing a school that won't retraumatise your kid — or you. We unpack the hidden barriers ADHD and autistic families face during school enrolment, what buzzwords to interrogate (hello “inclusive” and “resilient”), and how to decode a school’s culture beneath the surface. Because being told “we’ve got neurodivergent kids here too” isn’t the same as knowing how to support them. You’ll walk away with scripts, insight, and the confidence to stop people-pleasing your way into another educational crisis. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: Why “inclusive” doesn’t always mean safe The buzzwords that signal masking, not belonging Questions to ask on a school tour that don’t flag your child as “the hard one What to look for beyond classrooms: playgrounds, posters, and teacher training The role of trauma-informed, neuroaffirming values in everyday school lif When to walk away (even if it’s inconvenient) How to weigh up private vs public when the real issue is leadership Real-life stories of switching schools — and what finally worked 💭 This episode is for you if:– You’ve been burned by schools that promised support and delivered shame– You’re overwhelmed by the decision and scared to get it wrong– You want your child to feel safe, regulated, and seen — not just compliant 📥 Download the free School Choice Kit — includes a walk-through guide, green/red flag checklist, school tour scripts, and more:👉 https://adhdmums.com.au/product/the-school-choice-kit/ 📝 Want to go deeper? Read the blog version of this episode:👉 https://adhdmums.com.au/how-to-choose-a-school-that-wont-break-your-kid-or-you/  Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast Resources Mentioned: 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register 🎧 Listen Now If you’ve ever sat through a 15-minute IEP meeting where nothing changed, or wondered how much louder you have to get before someone listens—this episode is your script, your validation, and your reminder: You’re not too much. The system is too underprepared. Hit play. Forward it to your child’s support coordinator. Save it for your next meeting. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or spe

Jul 16, 202529 min

S3 Ep 1819. SCHOOL SERIES: When School Stops Feeling Safe

If your child holds it together at school but falls apart at home — this episode is for you. In this raw and deeply validating conversation, Jane is joined again by educator Millie Carr to unpack what happens when school is no longer emotionally or psychologically safe for neurodivergent kids. From missed warning signs to outright shutdown, we explore how subtle distress gets overlooked — and how easily parents are made to feel like they’re overreacting. You’ll learn what to watch for, what to say to schools without getting dismissed, and how to hold your ground when your gut says something’s not right. Whether your child is masking, refusing, or silently burning out, this episode gives you tools to recognise what’s happening — and advocate without losing yourself in the process. 🧠 What We Cover in This Episode: What it looks like when school stops feeling safe for your child How stomach aches, fatigue, and ‘bad behaviour’ are often nervous system distress Why behaviour plans focused on compliance miss the point The invisible trauma of forced attendance How to approach schools without being labelled the ‘difficult parent’ Repairing a broken relationship with school staff — and when not to bother Why sitting on the floor too long can be the final straw The difference between refusing school and not coping What to do when your child can’t tell you what’s wrong — and no one at school is listening 💭 This episode is for you if:– You’ve ever sat in the car after drop-off wondering if you’re doing the right thing– You’ve been told your child is ‘fine’ at school while you’re watching them unravel at home– You want to stop walking on eggshells with the school and start backing yourself 📥 Related Resource:➡️ The School Choice Kit — A neuro-affirming guide to help you choose the right school for your child. Includes questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and planning tools to support your decision-making. Download the Kit 📖 Read the blog version of this episode: 👉 https://adhdmums.com.au/when-school-stops-being-safe/  Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast Resources Mentioned: 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register 🎧 Listen Now If you’ve ever sat through a 15-minute IEP meeting where nothing changed, or wondered how much louder you have to get before someone listens—this episode is your script, your validation, and your reminder: You’re not too much. The system is too underprepared. Hit play. Forward it to your child’s support coordinator. Save it for your next meeting. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s

Jul 14, 202523 min

S3 Ep 1618. QUICK RESET:  Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead

If the words ‘let me know if you need anything’ make you panic instead of feel supported — this one’s for you. This Quick Reset is a nervous system-level sigh of relief for the mums who feel safest surviving in silence. If you’ve ever shut down instead of speaking up, snapped when someone finally offered to help, or felt like asking for support meant erasing your worth — this episode will hit home. Hard. We unpack the trauma behind “I’ve got it,” the invisible legacy of pathological self-reliance, and how masking your needs became part of your personality. But it’s not who you are — it’s what you learned. It’s time to stop waiting until burnout to be visible. This episode offers small scripts, mindset shifts, and reframes that make asking for help feel less like failure — and more like a form of love. ✨ IN THIS RESET: Why asking for help feels like failure (especially for high-functioning women) How ‘good girl conditioning’ trained you to suppress needs Why no one notices you're struggling — and why that’s not your fault The trauma loop of independence, silence, and resentment Scripts to ask for support without shame When your meltdown isn’t about dinner — it’s about years of invisible labour Rewiring your worth away from being useful Real-life strategies to pre-negotiate support (before the spiral) Giving yourself the grace to stop performing strength 💭 This episode is for you if:– You say “I’m fine” when you’re not — and no one calls your bluff– You wait for a breakdown to finally say “I need help”– You want to rest before you collapse, but don't know how to start 🔬 References  Dr. Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself (2011) – particularly chapters on caregiving and gendered expectations. Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2018). The Mindful Self‐Compassion Workbook. Guilford Press. 📚 RELATED RESOURCES: Free ADHD Medication Advocacy Guide 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 QUICK RESET: How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds. Spotify | Apple Podcast 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: asking for help, ADHD mums, good girl conditioning, emotional labour, burnout, pathological self-reliance, support scripts, parenting shutdown, masking, trauma-informed parenting, help refusal, co-regulation, overfunctioning, performance parenting, ADHD and motherhood, emotional suppression, boundaries, unmet needs, meltdown cycle, maternal overload, neuroaffirming support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 9, 202514 min

S3 Ep 1616. QUICK RESET: No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed

If you’ve spent hours calling pharmacies, chasing down scripts, or fighting tears in front of your child’s school — this episode is for you. This week’s Quick Reset is a brutally honest look at the ADHD medication shortage and what it’s actually costing families. It’s not just about pills. It’s about access, function, and survival. If you’ve been told to 'just hang in there' while rationing doses, burning out, and trying to stay regulated — this episode will meet you where you are. We unpack why the shortage isn’t just a supply chain hiccup — but a structural failure — and what you can do right now. You’ll hear the real-life chaos behind one bottle of meds, the truth about demand vs infrastructure, and the emotional cost of parenting without the support you fought hard to access. 🧠 What We Cover in This Episode: What’s actually causing the ADHD medication shortage in Australia Why this isn’t about 'overprescribing' — it’s about systemic neglect The real impact on parents who are rationing, relapsing, and burning out How executive function vanishes when meds disappear What the TGA, the PBS, and DEA limits have to do with your child’s treatment Bridging scripts, access barriers, and what GPs still don’t know Why this crisis is about disability rights, not convenience The stories that politicians need to hear — and how to send them 💥 This episode is for you if:– You’re sharing meds between siblings or skipping doses to make it through the week– You’ve been left with no support, no alternatives, and zero help — yet somehow still expected to function– You want to advocate without being told to 'calm down' 🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward action — even if all you can do today is hit play. 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast 📚 Related Resources: – Free ADHD Medication Advocacy Resource– TGA Medication Shortage Portal– 📥 Download MP forms, free resources & more on this subject here 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:ADHD medication shortage, ADHD mums, stimulant access, unmedicated parenting, executive dysfunction, advocacy, system failure, rationing medication, Concerta shortage, Ritalin supply, neurodivergent burnout, mental health crisis, parenting unsupported, TGA, PBS medication, real-life ADHD, medication access, writing to MPs, disability rights, school chaos, neuroaffirming advocacy, ADHD parenting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 202512 min

S3 Ep 1515. QUICK RESET: He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park

If your partner’s dreaming of overseas holidays while you’re barely surviving the playground — this episode is for you. This Quick Reset is a brutally honest look at what 'holiday' means when you’re the default parent, the nervous system regulator, and the one who never actually gets to rest. If your body flinches at the word “vacation” because it remembers meltdowns, sleepless nights, and judgmental relatives — you’re not alone. Jane unpacks the invisible trauma of parenting while travelling, why holidays can feel like executive function overload, and how memory, shame, and nervous system trauma shape our future planning. You’ll laugh, cry, and probably cancel the family road trip — but you’ll feel deeply seen. IN THIS EPISODE: The five-step emotional cycle of ‘family holidays’ Why past chaos makes your brain reject future hope The mental load of pretending you're relaxed Photo albums that trigger survival memories What to say when your partner doesn’t get it How to redefine rest when even leaving the house feels hard Naming nervous system trauma without shame Why opting out isn’t negative — it’s protective This episode is for you if:– You feel guilt for dreading holidays you’re “meant” to enjoy– You’ve walked into school term more tired than you left– You want to create memories, but not at the cost of your sanity Resources & Links: Join the Facebook community: ADHD Mums FB Group More resources & tools: www.adhdmums.com.au/shop 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead: Spotify | Apple Podcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:holiday trauma, ADHD mums, parenting burnout, sensory overload, neurodivergent parenting, executive dysfunction, invisible load, travel shame, mental load, overstimulation, family expectations, gentle parenting realities, meltdown management, trauma-informed parenting, ADHD mum life, redefining rest, survival mode, vacation anxiety, co-regulation, parenting triggers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 202519 min

S3 Ep 1414. QUICK RESET: I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality

This one is for the mums who cancel plans and then spiral into shame — not because you don’t care about your friends, but because you’re tired of becoming someone else just to belong. This Quick Reset goes straight into the emotional cost of masking, people-pleasing, and being ‘palatable’ in social spaces when you’re already running on empty. If you've ever ghosted a dinner invite because the idea of smiling through small talk made you feel sick — you're not rude. You're exhausted. And there’s a reason your nervous system taps out. We unpack the invisible work of shaping your personality around others, the aftermath of overthinking every interaction, and what it means to parent, mask, and still try to hold onto yourself. 🧠 What We Cover in This Episode: Are you antisocial — or socially exhausted? What ‘masking’ actually costs neurodivergent women Why even a quick coffee can feel like a performance review Patchwork identity and shape-shifting through a room The difference between safe friends vs. performance friends How playdates, school pickups, and small talk drain your nervous system Real life examples of emotional hangovers after 'being social' Reset strategies for identifying low-cost, low-mask relationships Why you don’t have to host, chat, or explain — and how to drop the guilt 💭 This episode is for you if:– You dread text replies or cancel plans last minute and don’t know why– You feel like friendship has become another task to survive– You’re tired of auto-correcting your personality to be liked– You want to create space for friendships that feel safe — not scripted 📚 Mentioned Resource:– A Guide to Navigating School Pick-Ups for ADHD Mums — includes scripts, social energy planning, neurodiverse/NT dynamics, and boundaries 🔗 Resources & Links: 📚 Reference:Price, D. (2022). Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity. Harmony Books.• Join the Facebook community: ADHD Mums FB Group• More resources & tools: www.adhdmums.com.au/shop 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds. Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead. Spotify | Apple Podcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:mirrored trauma, masking, social burnout, ADHD mums, neurodivergent exhaustion, friendship anxiety, sensory overwhelm, rejection sensitivity, people-pleasing, patchwork identity, fawning, parenting while masking, real self vs performed self, social hangovers, playdate dread, drop-off anxiety, safe vs performance friendships, emotional load, ADHD parenting, mum guilt, playground scripts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 25, 202514 min

S3 Ep 1313. SCHOOL SERIES: When They Just Don’t Get It: Navigating School with Neurotypical Parents

This one’s for every mum who’s watched the birthday party photos roll in and realised — again — your child wasn’t invited. Or stood awkwardly at the school gate while other parents chatted like you weren’t even there. In this raw and necessary episode, Jane tackles the quiet grief of social exclusion: not just for our neurodivergent kids, but for us too. From WhatsApp politics to parent cliques to the unspoken ‘rules’ of what’s considered acceptable behaviour in kids — we unpack how the system trains us all to exclude those who don’t conform. If you've ever blamed yourself, masked harder, or told your kid to ‘just try to fit in’ — this episode offers a much-needed reframe. It’s not about fitting in. It’s about dismantling the gatekeeping in the first place. 💡 What We Cover: Why school exclusion is more than ‘just a missed invite’ The unspoken cultural rules neurotypical parents use to gatekeep inclusion What we internalise when no one includes our kids — or us How emotional safety and performance parenting collide Scripts for advocating without begging What to say to your child when they ask: ‘Why wasn’t I invited?’ Why this isn’t about being ‘liked’ — it’s about equity Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Resources Mentioned: A Guide to Navigating School Pick-Ups for ADHD Mums: check it out here The Quiet Exclusion Kit: check it out here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ 📚 Research References & Supporting Evidence1. Autistic children are invited to fewer social events Bauminger, N., & Kasari, C. (2000). Parent attitudes significantly influence social inclusion de Boer, A., Pijl, S. J., & Minnaert, A. (2012). Children with ADHD and autism are socially excluded more frequently Humphrey, N., & Symes, W. (2010). Rotheram-Fuller, E., Kasari, C., Chamberlain, B., & Locke, J. (2010) 4. Impact of parental discomfort on social dynamics While less studied formally, autism and ADHD parent advocacy groups (e.g. Autism Awareness Australia, ADHD Australia) and academic interviews (qualitative data) consistently show that parent discomfort, not child behaviour, is a major driver of exclusion. Many reports include statements like:“Once the parents found out he had autism, the invitations stopped.” “They said it might be too much for her — but they never asked us what would help.” These appear across: Australian disability advocacy forums Published interviews in parenting and education journals Peer-reviewed qualitative studies of parent experience (e.g. Goodall, 2020) JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: mirrored trauma, ADHD mums, neurodivergent parenting, good girl conditioning, parenting rage, ADHD parenting, sensory kids, emotional honesty, shutdown, intergenerational trauma, gentle parenting realities, meltdown support, breaking cycles, neuroaffirming parenting, trauma-informed parenting, ADHD mum life, performance parenting, co-regulation, reparenting yourself, parenting and trauma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 23, 202527 min

S3 Ep 1212. QUICK RESET: I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing

If you’ve ever found yourself raging over a sock battle, losing it over a tantrum, or feeling shame after snapping at your child — this episode will meet you right there. It’s not just that your child is being ‘difficult’. It’s that their big feelings might be waking up parts of you that were never allowed to exist. This Quick Reset unpacks the link between parenting rage and trauma stored in the body. We explore the concept of mirrored trauma — when your child expresses the exact emotions you were taught to suppress. If you were the “good girl” who never acted out, your child’s raw honesty can feel confronting. Even triggering. But you’re not failing — you’re feeling. And there are ways to recognise it, reset, and shift the shame. ✨ In This Episode, We Cover: – Why you might feel rage at small things (like socks or dinner refusal)– What’s really happening when your child ‘won’t comply’– How ‘good girl conditioning’ can collide with your child’s emotional honesty– The neuroscience of mirrored trauma– Self-check-ins for performance parenting– Why your child’s defiance isn’t disobedience — it’s a dysregulated nervous system– What to do when you feel the heat rising– Real, honest stories from parenting in the trenches– Reframing the “problem child” as a mirror of your own healing 💭 This episode is for you if: You’ve ever wondered “Why do I lose it at the tiniest things?” You feel like your child’s behaviour lights up something way bigger than the momentYou want to break generational patterns — but also feel pushed to the edge 🔗 Resources & Links:• Join the Facebook community: ADHD Mums FB Group• More resources & tools: www.adhdmums.com.au/shop 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds. Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead. Spotify | Apple Podcast 🎧 Listen NowIf you’ve ever left a meeting wondering what just happened – or held back tears while playing nice just to get a referral – this one’s for you. Hit play. Share it with a friend who’s fighting the same fight. 🧠 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:mirrored trauma, ADHD mums, neurodivergent parenting, good girl conditioning, parenting rage, ADHD parenting, sensory kids, emotional honesty, shutdown, intergenerational trauma, gentle parenting realities, meltdown support, breaking cycles, neuroaffirming parenting, trauma-informed parenting, ADHD mum life, performance parenting, co-regulation, reparenting yourself, parenting and trauma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 18, 202514 min

S3 Ep 1111. SCHOOL SERIES: Reducing Stress Behaviours in the Classroom: Connection, Co-Regulation & Neuro-Aware Teaching

If you’ve ever been told your child is ‘defiant’, ‘rude’, or ‘lazy’—this episode is for you. Tania Waring is back to unpack how stress behaviours are misread as misbehaviour in classrooms. Drawing on her PhD research into co-regulation and inclusive education, Tania explains what’s really going on for ADHD and autistic students—and why the classroom itself can fuel or relieve their distress. We talk about why behaviour systems like marbles-in-the-jar and Dojo points don’t work for neurodivergent kids, and how regulation starts with the adult in the room. We cover practical ways teachers (and parents) can co-regulate, build trust, and support children in distress without punishing them for brain-based struggles. This episode is honest, emotional, and full of tools for both home and school. If you’ve ever felt alone advocating for your child—or if you’re a teacher desperate for something that actually works—this conversation will validate what you already know and help you name it out loud. Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Correction In this episode, Tania mentioned there are no professional development (PD) requirements for teachers — however, she later discovered that wasn't quite correct and wanted to ensure this was added. In Australia, all registered teachers are required to complete a minimum number of PD hours annually to maintain their registration. For example, Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) mandates 20 hours of PD per year. You can read more here: QCT Professional Development Requirements. 📚 Mentioned in this episode: Berry Street Education Model Social Stencil neurodiversity-affirming SEL Mental Health Menu (Victoria DET) Books: The Neurodiverse Classroom – Victoria Honeybourne Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classrooms – Tom Brunzell Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools – Emily Kircher-Morris The Whole-Brain Child – Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD classroom behaviour, neurodivergent students school, ADHD school meltdown, trauma-informed teaching ADHD, co-regulation in education, stress behaviour vs misbehaviour, neurodiversity affirming strategies, inclusive education ADHD, autism shutdown at school, ADHD advocacy, classroom behaviour systems, Dojo points criticism, emotional regulation in school, ADHD support for teachers, Berry Street model, Universal Design for Learning ADHD, strength-based education, emotional safety in classrooms, behaviour as communication, ADHD discipline alternatives, neurodivergent parenting, supporting ADHD kids in school, autistic school experience, ADHD overwhelm school, masking and meltdown cycle, ADHD parenting, ADHD and school trauma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 16, 202547 min

S3 Ep 1010. QUICK RESET: Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?

If you can’t sit still even when nothing’s wrong...If you're checking your emails like a debt collector is chasing you...If your heart races during peaceful moments... This episode is for you. In this raw and validating Quick Reset, Jane peels back the misunderstood layers of 'anxiety' to reveal something many ADHD mums live with daily — high-functioning hypervigilance. It's not just worry. It's a nervous system that never learned to feel safe. This is the episode to save and return to every time you feel like you can’t switch off, even when the house is quiet and the kids are fine. It’s not just stress. It’s survival mode — and it’s unlearnable. 🧷 What We Cover: The difference between anxiety and hypervigilance Why so many late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic women live in a bracing state How childhood emotional mismatch (not just trauma) conditions us to constantly scan The link between people-pleasing, masking, and chronic nervous system activation What hypervigilance looks like in motherhood (especially if your child is impulsive or unsafe) Three practical tools to start calming your system today — no spa day required 🔑 Key Takeaway:You didn’t get this way by accident. Your body learned to brace because safety wasn’t a given. But it can unlearn. Regulation isn’t a reward — it’s your right. 🔗 Resources & Links:• Join the Facebook community: ADHD Mums FB Group• More resources & tools: www.adhdmums.com.au/shop 🔁 SHARE THIS RESET:If this one hit hard, send it to a mum friend who’s also stuck in survival mode. Let her know: she’s not broken, she’s bracing. Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E8 Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds. Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead. Spotify | Apple Podcast 🎧 Listen NowIf you’ve ever left a meeting wondering what just happened – or held back tears while playing nice just to get a referral – this one’s for you. Hit play. Share it with a friend who’s fighting the same fight. TOPICS COVERED:Hypervigilance vs anxiety, ADHD shutdown, chronic stress, trauma responses, parenting neurodivergent kids, sensory overwhelm, people-pleasing, masking, emotional dysregulation, nervous system regulation, emotional safety, ADHD and trauma, survival mode, ADHD parenting tools, quick nervous system resets, late-diagnosed ADHD, mum burnout recovery, high-functioning anxiety, emotional masking in women, calm nervous system tips, ADHD mental health, trauma-informed ADHD strategies, somatic safety, ADHD nervous system healing, gentle parenting for ND families.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 20259 min

S3 Ep 99. SCHOOL SERIES: IEP Meetings Are Broken — Here’s What to Say Instead

You walk into a school meeting hoping for support—and walk out feeling like the unreasonable parent again. In this no-fluff episode, Jane is joined by returning guest and neuroaffirming educator Millie Carr to rip the curtain off how Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are actually playing out in real classrooms. From broken communication and missing documentation to defensive staff and performative inclusion policies, this episode is a sharp, validating look at what’s really happening behind the school gate. If you’ve ever been told, ‘we can’t do that for everyone’, ‘they seem fine’, or your child’s support plan was ignored by day one of term—this one will make you feel less alone, and a hell of a lot more prepared. 💡 What We Cover: Why teachers often get defensive in IEP meetings (and how to work around it) The myth of “equal treatment” vs the reality of legal equity in education What to say when schools refuse an adjustment because ‘it’s not fair to others’ The emotional toll of feeling dismissed—and how to stay focused in meetings What federal laws actually say about reasonable adjustments (and how to quote them) The serious issue of IEPs not being shared, read, or honoured—especially at the start of term Why parents must document everything—even if nothing changes Real consequences (or lack of) for schools that fail to follow inclusion policies What to prepare, bring, and track if you ever need to escalate or file a complaint Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Related Episodes: SCHOOL SERIES - When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents | Listen in Spotify | Listen in Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES - Burnout Starts in the Classroom — And Follows Them Home | Listen in Spotify | Listen in Apple Podcast SCHOOL SERIES: Your Child Isn’t ‘Acting Out’ — They’re Burning Out | Listen in Spotify | Listen in Apple Podcast Resources Mentioned: 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/ Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register 🎧 Listen Now If you’ve ever sat through a 15-minute IEP meeting where nothing changed, or wondered how much louder you have to get before someone listens—this episode is your script, your validation, and your reminder: You’re not too much. The system is too underprepared. Hit play. Forward it to your child’s support coordinator. Save it for your next meeting. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered  In This Episode: IEP meetings ADHD Australia, neurodivergent inclusion school, disability standards for education, equitable adjustments vs equal treatment, ADHD fidgets in class, schools ignoring support plans, teacher defensiveness IEP, NCCD and disability evidence, parent advocacy for neurodivergent kids, documenting school issues, escalation in school systems, broken inclusion plans, legal rights ADHD school, how to prepare for an IEP, fidget bans and discrimination, masking in the classroom, disability support Victoria education, Millie Carr ADHD, ADHD Mums podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 9, 202520 min

S3 Ep 88. QUICK RESET: Advocating for Your Child Shouldn’t Break You — But It Often Does

Why does getting support for your child feel like a full-time job… with no sick leave? In this solo episode, Jane dives into the exhausting, invisible labour of advocacy – and why neurodivergent mums are often left navigating broken systems without a map, a translator, or a break. From IEP meetings to GP appointments, this is the episode for every mum who’s ever stayed up till 2am writing an email that might just get ignored. If you’re tired of being dismissed, dismissed again, then blamed for being ‘too emotional’ about it – you are not the problem. This episode will help you do it without setting yourself on fire. 💡 What We Cover:• How to advocate for your child without it consuming your entire life• What to say when professionals dismiss you or minimise your concerns• Scripts to stay calm and assertive in tense school/NDIS/GP meetings• Energy-saving strategies for emotionally draining advocacy tasks• Balancing authenticity vs masking when you’re in ‘the system’• Why documentation (yes, again) is your best ally – and how to use it• Emotional resilience vs toxic positivity when you’re gaslit again• Building long-term allies in school and health systems – without losing your mind Other Quick Reset Episodes: S3E10 Why am I bracing for impact when nothing is wrong?: Spotify  | Apple Podcast S3E12 I can’t stop snapping when my child does this one thing: Spotify | Apple Podcast  S3E14 I Cancel Plans Because I Don’t Have the Energy to Fake My Personality: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E15 He wants the Maldives but we can't even manage the park: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E16 No meds, No plan, and no help..... but yet they're still calling us undiagnosed: Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E17 QUICK RESET: How we survive the 3- 6:00 PM shit show when kids are coming down off meds. Spotify | Apple Podcast S3E18 Why you are bad at asking for help and what to do instead. Spotify | Apple Podcast 🔗 Resources & Links:• Join the Facebook community: ADHD Mums FB Group• More resources & tools: www.adhdmums.com.au/shop 🎧 Listen NowIf you’ve ever left a meeting wondering what just happened – or held back tears while playing nice just to get a referral – this one’s for you. Hit play. Share it with a friend who’s fighting the same fight. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:ADHD advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, school refusal, IEP meetings, masking and burnout, ADHD mums emotional load, advocating for your ADHD child, navigating NDIS, GP advocacy scripts, ADHD mental load, supporting neurodivergent kids in school, trauma-informed advocacy, inclusive education, ADHD documentation strategies, neuroaffirming parenting, advocacy burnout, parenting ADHD and autism, school system failures, emotional regulation in meetings, ADHD self-compassion, strength-based parenting, advocacy energy managementSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 3, 202517 min

S3 Ep 77. SCHOOL SERIES: The Great Gaslighting: When Schools Say We Don’t See It

What happens when schools insist your child is fine - but everything in your gut says otherwise? In this powerful instalment of our school mini-series, Jane is joined again by Millie Carr - teacher, parent, and neurodivergent advocate - to unpack one of the most maddening experiences families face: being gaslit by educators who don’t “see” the struggle. If you’ve ever been told your child is “fine” at school while managing meltdowns, shutdowns, or burnout at home, this one will hit hard. Jane shares a deeply personal story of leaving a school that refused to acknowledge her daughter’s invisible needs - and Millie breaks down exactly why high-masking kids get overlooked, and what parents can do when they’re dismissed. Together, they explore: Why girls and high-masking kids are so often missed The damaging impact of visible vs invisible disability bias What to say in IEP meetings when schools won’t listen Why anxiety is often misdiagnosed when it’s really about unmet needs How PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is misunderstood in schools—and what helps instead This episode will validate your fury, your heartbreak, and your instincts. You’re not imagining it. You’re not overreacting. And you’re not alone. Listen If: You’ve been told “we don’t see it” and felt dismissed Your child is different at school than at home—and no one believes you You’re exhausted from advocating and need to feel seen You want practical strategies for navigating resistant schools Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  Other Episodes with Millie Carr S1 E41: Camouflaging ADHD + Autistic Traits in Girls with Millie Carr | Spotify | Apple Podcast S3 E2: SCHOOL SERIES When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents | Spotify | Apple Podcast S3 E3: SCHOOL SERIES When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents | Spotify | Apple Podcast Episode on PDA: S2E30: Could it be PDA? Exploring the signs and why it’s different from ODD with Prof Tony Attwood and Dr Michelle Garnett | Spotify | Apple Podcast 🔗 Resources & Links: 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🔗 ADHD Mums Free Guides and Resources here 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered In This Episode:  Invisible disabilities, ADHD girls, autism masking, high masking, school gaslighting, inclusion in education, IEP meetings, neurodiversity in schools, Pathological Demand Avoidance, PDA strategies, school refusal, trauma-informed schools, advocating for neurodivergent kids, ADHD parenting, neurodivergent burnout, federal disability education law, ADHD girls dismissed, reasonable adjustments school, ADHD Mums podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 2, 202524 min

S3 Ep 66. NDIS Is Making Psychology Support Harder To Access And The New Budget Rules

You’re not imagining it — psychology funding is reducing from NDIS plans. And neurodivergent families are being hit the hardest. In this critical solo episode, Jane breaks down the real impact of recent NDIS changes, including the hidden rollout of Section 33, why psychology is being reframed as a ‘Medicare issue’, and how support for emotional regulation, anxiety and trauma is being stripped away under the radar. If you’re navigating plan reviews, therapy cancellations, or watching mental health supports vanish — this episode gives you the language, strategy and advocate for yourself or your child. What We Cover: The quiet rollout of Section 33 and what it means for your child’s plan Why psychology for ADHD, anxiety, trauma and RSD is no longer ‘reasonable and necessary’ The difference between clinical vs. functional supports — and how to frame them What psychologists are being told, and why they may redirect you to Medicare How to advocate for functional impact without breaching new NDIS rules The cost blowout no one’s talking about: $600+ monthly gap payments for ADHD families Why early intervention cuts contradict everything the NDIS claims to support What to say in your next plan review — including exact phrases for therapy justification The personal toll on ADHD mums trying to keep their kids afloat — emotionally and financially Resources & Links: Submit your story: Speak Up for Change: Submit Your NDIS Complaint to Help Us Lobby for Fairness Listen to the related podcast episodes on: The NDIS Shake-Up and National Autism Strategy: What Jane Really Thinks:  Spotify: listen here Apple: listen here Sign the petition: NDIS Cuts Are Failing Our Kids List of ADHD Mums Recommended Providers  All NDIS Changes and Resources - https://adhdmums.com.au/ndis/ JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered In This Episode:  NDIS psychology funding cuts, ADHD therapy removed from NDIS, Section 33 NDIS explanation, ADHD and functional capacity reports, neurodivergent families NDIS, ADHD emotional regulation therapy, reasonable and necessary supports ADHD, early intervention plan review, psychology under Medicare vs NDIS, ADHD child anxiety supports, ADHD trauma support, rejection sensitivity NDIS, plan review scripts ADHD, disability discrimination Australia, NDIS burnout for mothers, ADHD Mums podcast NDIS, school refusal and therapy access, ADHD kids unsupported by NDIS, petition for NDIS reform, neurodivergent parenting advocacy AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 28, 202552 min

S3 Ep 55. SCHOOL SERIES: Your Child Isn’t ‘Acting Out’ — They’re Burning Out

If your kid has been labelled ‘disruptive’, ‘too much’, or has a 'behaviour problem’ at school - this episode is for you. In this raw, honest, and fiercely educational conversation, Jane is joined by Tania Waring - lawyer-turned-PhD researcher, mum of three neurodivergent boys, and longtime education advocate. They go into what’s really happening when ADHD and autistic kids are ‘acting out’ - and why so many schools are punishing trauma responses, not managing them. This episode isn’t polite. It’s personal, practical, and painfully real. From school exclusions and behaviour plans to Human Rights Commission complaints and fighting for basic inclusion - this one’s for every parent who’s been dismissed, gaslit, and told their child doesn’t belong. Trigger warning: briefly mentions suicide ideation of a child. 💡 What We Cover: The myth of ‘naughty kids’ vs the reality of burnout and nervous system collapse Why suspension and detention are discriminatory—not developmental How behaviour plans often become performance-management tools What schools are legally required to do under federal, state, and disability law. How to document, escalate, and advocate when you’re being stonewalled Tips for writing advocacy emails that get attention (without sounding ‘difficult’) What parents can realistically do when change feels impossible Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  🔗 Resources & Links: 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🔗 ADHD Mums Free Guides and Resources here 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register Disability & Education Laws Referenced (Qld Human Rights Act, DSE 2005, UN CRPD) 👩‍⚖️ Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. Topics Covered In This Episode:  ADHD school exclusion Australia neurodivergent child suspension ADHD behaviour plans and trauma disability standards for education 2005 QLD Human Rights Act school rights ADHD and school-based discrimination inclusive education ADHD autism school burnout ADHD child advocacy tools for ADHD parents ADHD child behaviour misunderstood ADHD suspension legal rights UN CRPD education rights Human Rights Commission school complaints ADHD parent advocacy Australia trauma-informed education ADHD Tania Waring ADHD advocacy ADHD Mums podcast Australia neuroaffirming schools strategies ADHD child misunderstood in classroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202552 min

S3 Ep 44. Advanced ADHD + Neurodivergent Myths.....Busted :)

You’ve already heard the basics: ADHD isn’t just for boys. Autism isn’t all hand-flapping. Great. But what about the deeper stuff? In this solo episode, Jane takes a sledgehammer to the most persistent, harmful, and advanced myths that are still sabotaging ADHD and autistic women. From the dangerous praise of ‘high functioning’ to the weaponisation of executive function, performative neurodiversity, and the false promise that meds fix everything—this is the truth the awareness campaigns skip. If you’ve ever been told you’re ‘too capable to struggle’, ‘too smart to be ADHD’, or ‘too emotional to be taken seriously’, this episode is your armour. 💡 What We Cover: Why ‘high functioning’ is just ‘high masking’—and why it’s killing us slowly How executive function gets twisted into shame and perfectionism Why medication is support, not salvation The deeply gendered myth of what autism ‘looks like’ in kids Neuroaffirming ≠ letting your child do whatever they want Why your nervous system needs more than a planner and good intentions The hidden cost of chasing ‘normal’ as a goal How parenting myths keep mums stuck in shame, guilt, and silence 🔗 Resources & Links: 📚 Research cited: Hull et al. (2020) on camouflaging in ADHD & autism Brown’s Executive Function Model (ADD Warehouse) Lye & Baron-Cohen (2015) on misdiagnosis in girls Dvorsky (2016) on long-term neurodivergent outcomes Dr Mona Delahooke on co-regulation & scaffolding 🎧 Related episodes:  Ep 20 – The Worst Assessment Process Ever SCHOOL SERIES - When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents The Worst Assessment Process Ever: A Cautionary Tale   Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple LISTEN NOW: If you’ve ever been told you’re ‘fine’ because you’re functioning — or you’ve questioned your diagnosis because you still can’t get organised — this episode is the recalibration you didn’t know you needed. Send it to a friend. A partner. A GP. Anyone who still doesn’t get it. #ADHDMumsPodcast #HighMasking #NeurodivergentMyths #ADHDAndMedication #ExecutiveDysfunction #Camouflaging #AutismInGirls #NeurodivergentBurnout #ADHDFatigue #MentalLoadMatters #NeuroaffirmingParenting #JaneMcFaddenPodcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together. COLLABS: For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: High masking ADHD, high functioning myth, ADHD and executive dysfunction, medication and burnout, autism myths in children, neuroaffirming parenting, parenting neurodivergent kids, mental load of diagnosis, late-diagnosed ADHD women, emotional regulation myths, ADHD and trauma overlap, gender bias in autism, ADHD toolkit for mums, camouflaging in ADHD women, ADHD shame, parenting without guiltSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 202533 min

S3 Ep 33. SCHOOL SERIES - Burnout Starts in the Classroom — And Follows Them Home

If your child’s after-school meltdowns seem to come out of nowhere — they don’t. They’re just not being seen. In this second episode of the School Series, Jane is joined again by neurodivergent educator and mum Millie Carr to unpack how burnout builds silently in classrooms and explodes at home. From sensory overwhelm and executive dysfunction to chronic invalidation and misread behaviour — this episode doesn’t just name the problem. It helps you understand what to look for, what schools can do differently, and what you can shift at home without burning yourself out too. This is a must-listen for any parent hearing ‘they’re fine at school’ while watching their kid unravel every night. 💡 What We Cover: The difference between academic fatigue and neurodivergent burnout What school-based nervous system overload actually looks like How masking, people-pleasing and perfectionism disguise distress Why executive dysfunction + sensory chaos = a ticking time bomb The impact of chronic invalidation on self-esteem and identity Interoception struggles — why neurodivergent kids often don’t see their own crash coming Simple school accommodations that reduce burnout without being performative How parents can build structure and regulation into home life without adding pressure Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  🎧 Related episodes with Millie Carr:  SCHOOL SERIES - When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple How to Tell Your Child About Their Diagnosis: Essential Do's and Don'ts. Listen in Spotify\ Listen in Apple Camouflaging ADHD and Autistic Traits in Girls Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple The Neurodiverse Classroom  Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🔗 ADHD Mums Free Guides and Resources here 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register This episode isn’t about blaming teachers—it’s about exposing the system that’s letting everyone down, especially our neurodivergent kids. If you’ve ever been told ‘they’re fine at school’, you need to hear this. Hit play. Share with a friend.  JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Connect with other ADHD mums in our Facebook group – no question too small, no meltdown too messy. FOLLOW FOR MORE: Daily ADHD mum content on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review helps other mums find support that actually makes sense. COLLABS: Want Jane to speak or collaborate? Email [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still questioning ADHD or autism? Access recommended self-assessments and tools here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 19, 202518 min

S3 Ep 22. SCHOOL SERIES When School Becomes the Trauma — What No One Tells ADHD Parents

If your child holds it together all day at school only to fall apart the second they get home—this episode is for you. In this brutally honest conversation, Jane is joined by teacher, parent, and neurodivergent advocate Millie Carr to unpack the invisible trauma happening behind ‘good behaviour’ in classrooms. From silent shutdowns to explosive rage, masking to misdiagnosis, we explore how the school system is inadvertently breaking the very kids it's meant to support—and what parents can do about it. 💡 What We Cover: What school-based trauma really looks like (it’s not always loud) Why girls and fawn-type students are flying under the radar The link between masking, people-pleasing, and identity loss How chronic invalidation chips away at kids’ mental health Why ‘good girl’ praise can be just as damaging as discipline The high cost of being the “perfect” student RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) and the hidden social toll of school What schools and parents can do to build trust and repair harm Need support navigating school chaos?Making School Work is your go-to advocacy guide for when your neurodivergent child isn’t coping — and the school says they’re fine. Packed with scripts, templates, and clarity for IEPs, school refusal, and shutdowns, it helps you hold your ground in the rooms that matter.Get it here: https://adhdmums.com.au/product/making-school-work-parent-guide/  🎧 Related episodes with Millie Carr:  How to Tell Your Child About Their Diagnosis: Essential Do's and Don'ts. Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple Camouflaging ADHD and Autistic Traits in Girls Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple The Neurodiverse Classroom  Listen in Spotify Listen in Apple 🔗 To find out more about Millie Carr or purchase her books please click on her website or check out her IG 🔗 Sign our Change Petition here 🔗 Submit your experience with schooling here 🎧 Listener Questions please send here 🔗 Free Guides and Resources here 📚 References & Further Reading Disability Standards for Education 2005Read via the Department of Education – Australian Government Disability Discrimination Act 1992View the full legislation on the Federal Register This episode isn’t about blaming teachers—it’s about exposing the system that’s letting everyone down, especially our neurodivergent kids. If you’ve ever been told ‘they’re fine at school’, you need to hear this. Hit play. Share with a friend. And let’s stop gaslighting ourselves about what’s really going on in classrooms. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Connect with other ADHD mums in our Facebook group – no question too small, no meltdown too messy. FOLLOW FOR MORE: Daily ADHD mum content on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. LEAVE A REVIEW: Love this episode? Your review helps other mums find support that actually makes sense. COLLABS: Want Jane to speak or collaborate? Email [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES: Still questioning ADHD or autism? Access recommended self-assessments and tools here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 13, 202528 min

S3 Ep 11. Season 3 Starts Here: No More Explaining – ADHD Tools That Actually Work

You’ve read the listicles. You’ve sat in the paediatrician’s office explaining what your child’s meltdown actually meant — again. You’re not confused. You’re exhausted. Season 3 is here — and it’s not about awareness anymore. It’s about tools, systems, scripts, and sustainable change. This season, Jane is done explaining ADHD to the masses. If you’re an ADHD mum, late-diagnosed woman, or raising neurodivergent kids in a system that’s already failing you — this season is built for you. This opener is sharp, validating, and cuts straight to what’s coming, why it matters, and how ADHD Mums is shifting focus to create real support. Spoiler: it started with one burnt-out night, one whiteboard, and the lowest-effort dinner plan that worked like magic. 💡 What We Cover: Why Season 3 ditches the awareness fluff and starts with real-world strategy The ADHD Mum Hack that came out of a PMDD spiral and whiteboard panic How a low-energy dinner framework led to the most helpful ADHD tool Jane’s made yet What 3 years of DMs, reviews, and survey data revealed about what ADHD mums actually want The burnout no one saw coming, and how Jane nearly stopped the podcast altogether What’s changing: solo Thursdays, guest Tuesdays, and no more overexplaining Upcoming series on hormones, medication, school trauma, and misdiagnosis Why ADHD Mums is building a system for us — not just hoping the current one catches up 🎧 Related episodes: Ep 64 – PMDD, PMS & Emotional Burnout Spotify: Listen Here on Spotify Apple: Listen here on Apple Ep 25 - Feeling like PMS is taking over your life? It might be PMDD Spotify: Listen Here on Spotify Apple: Listen here on Apple 🛒 Shop the resources – adhdmums.com.au/shop 💬 Join the ADHD Mums Facebook Group – click  Don't Miss Out On the most current information on ADHD Meds & the NDIS. Subscribe to the mailing list here 🎧 Listen Now If you’ve ever thought, ‘I know what ADHD is — what I need is help actually managing my life’, this episode is your sign to stop apologising and start rebuilding.Hit play. This is your season. #ADHDMumsPodcast #NeurodivergentMums #ADHDParentingTools #BurnoutSupport #PMDDandADHD #ExecutiveDysfunction #RSDInMothers #MentalLoadMums #ADHDSeason3 #ADHDAustralia #LowEnergyParenting #InvisibleLoadADHD JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Validation, dark humour, and strategy — not tips and vibes. Come hang with us on Facebook. FOLLOW FOR MORE: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube — because multitasking is the only way we exist. LEAVE A REVIEW: Help another exhausted, brilliant ADHD mum find this and feel seen. Reviews matter more than you think. COLLABS: To book Jane or pitch a media/story idea: [email protected] TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD burnout, PMDD and ADHD, neurodivergent parenting support, ADHD mums podcast, emotional regulation, ADHD tools for mums, late-diagnosed ADHD women, ADHD low-energy hacks, executive dysfunction management, ADHD daily survival, ADHD women hormones, school trauma ADHD, ADHD parenting podcast, ADHD menu planning, Jane McFadden podcast, ADHD validation, realistic ADHD supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 202514 min

S2 Ep 8888. Mothers Day: I Made the Lunches, Booked the Table, and Still Felt Invisible

You made the reservation. You packed the gifts. You wiped the tears, booked the table, and still felt… like no one saw you. If Mother’s Day makes you feel flat, ragey, or quietly devastated—you’re not ungrateful, you’re unsupported. In this raw solo episode, Jane shares the truth about what ADHD mums, solo parents, and neurodivergent women are really navigating on the day that’s supposed to be for them. This isn’t about handmade cards and breakfast in bed. This is about emotional labour, unmet needs, and the silent heartbreak of being overlooked on the one day you were told you’d be celebrated. 💡 What We Cover: Why so many mums dread Mother’s Day—and it’s not ‘ingratitude’ Survey results from 100+ ADHD Mums on how the day actually goes What invisible emotional labour looks like (and why it stings most on Mother’s Day) The loneliness of solo parenting, co-parenting, or being in a relationship and still doing it all Scripts and strategies to set boundaries, ask for what you need, or say no The complex grief that can rise: for the mum you had, the mum you wanted, or the mum you thought you'd be Seven key reminders for emotionally overloaded mums this Mother's Day How to validate yourself when no one else does—and why your kids will remember even when it feels like they won’t 🔗 Resources & Links: 🎧 Related episodes: 7 Brutally Honest Reasons ADHD Mums Stay Silent About the Mental Load [Part 2] Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple How to Handle Family Criticism About ADHD: Boundaries and Keeping Your Sanity Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple 💬 Join the ADHD Mums Facebook group: Click here If Mother’s Day makes you feel like disappearing, this episode is your reminder: you are not invisible, you are just unsupported—and that is not your fault. Hit play. Send this to a mum who needs to feel seen this weekend. #ADHDMumsPodcast #MothersDayBurnout #InvisibleLoad #MentalLoadMatters #ADHDParenting #NeurodivergentMums #EmotionalLabour #ADHDFatigue #SoloMumSupport #ADHDandGrief #RealMotherhood #ADHDMumPodcast JOIN THE COMMUNITY: You don’t have to smile through it. Join our Facebook group for real talk and support. FOLLOW FOR MORE: Find Jane on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Because sometimes you just need someone to say what you're thinking—out loud. LEAVE A REVIEW: Your review helps more exhausted, ragey, overextended mums find this podcast. Share the episode. Rate it. Let’s raise the volume on what really matters. COLLABS: To collaborate or invite Jane to speak, email [email protected]. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Mother’s Day and emotional labour, ADHD mums and mental load, invisible labour, solo mum burnout, co-parenting struggles, grief on Mother’s Day, unmet expectations, neurodivergent parenting challenges, ADHD and sensory overwhelm, ADHD mum shutdown, rage and resilience, ADHD women and shame, emotional validation for mothers, complex motherhood, real talk Mother’s Day, ADHD self-compassion, masking on holidays, self-advocacy for mums, survival-mode parenting, ADHD parenting community  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 202518 min

S2 Ep 8787. Season 2 RECAP: The Year ADHD Mums Stopped Apologising

If you made it through Season 2 while juggling meltdowns, meds, late-night Googling, school chaos, and trying to figure out dinner while being told to ‘get off your phone’—you’re not just surviving. You’re reshaping the narrative. In this raw and honest wrap-up, Jane reflects on what really went down in Season 2: the burnout, the backlash, the breakthroughs, and the moments that made her want to walk away. From NDIS implosions to medication shortages, from massive listener growth to imposter syndrome and award snubs—this one lays it bare. This is a thank you, a debrief, and a reminder: you’re not alone, and Season 3 is just getting started. 💡 What We Cover: Why ADHD Mums doesn’t ‘pause for the season’—because the chaos doesn’t either Medication shortages, government silence, and the reality of parenting without support Burnout, surgery, ARFID, and behind-the-scenes pressure that almost ended the podcast What worked, what tanked, and why the DV mini-series didn’t land (even though it mattered) Why she kept going: DMs, community wins, and the power of knowing someone needed it The rise of $10 kits and what the audience really asked for: practical strategies, not fluff The message to women navigating neurodivergence without validation: build anyway 🎧 Listen Now 1. Burnout, Pain & Weird Symptoms? The ADHD Link No One Told Us About (My Lipodema Operation episode) Listen here on Spotify Listen here on Apple 2. Does ADHD Medication make you feel withdrawn, sad or sensory sensitive? Listen Here on Spotify Listen Here on Apple 🔗 Resources & Links: 🎧 Most downloaded episodes of Season 2 – Top 10 Recap Blog 📥 Downloadable Kits & Guides – Go Here 💬 Facebook Group: Join ADHD Mums #ADHDMumsPodcast #NeurodivergentParenting #ADHDMedicationCrisis #ARFIDParenting #BurnoutAndRecovery #NDAdvocacy #ExecutiveDysfunction #PerimenopauseADHD #RageAndMasking #MentalLoadForMums #WomenWithADHD #Season2Recap JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format! FOLLOW FOR MORE: Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube COLLABS: Want to pitch an idea, book Jane, or collaborate? Email [email protected] MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD mums podcast recap, burnout parenting, ARFID and ADHD, medication shortage Australia, ADHD and DV, imposter syndrome ADHD, ADHD misdiagnosis women, NDIS changes 2024, ADHD rage and masking, executive dysfunction, perimenopause ADHD, navigating school with ADHD kids, ND community support, practical ADHD strategies, low-energy parenting, advocacy and neurodivergence, ADHD mum communitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 7, 202541 min

86. What the World's Biggest ADHD Meds Study Really Revealed

ADHD Meds: Are They Safe Long-Term? What the World's Largest Study Just Told Us You’re sitting in the paediatrician’s office, staring at a tiny tablet in your hand, wondering if giving it to your child makes you a bad parent—or a better one. Sound familiar? In this solo episode, Jane breaks down the world’s biggest ADHD medication study—just published in The Lancet Psychiatry—and unpacks what it really means for neurodivergent families. We’re talking hard data, real side effects, long-term unknowns, and the emotional load mums carry when we’re asked to medicate our kids. This episode is your crash course in science and lived experience. No moral panic, no TikTok nonsense. Just the facts—and how they actually apply to real-life parenting. 💡 What We Cover: What the new research says about long-term safety of ADHD meds for kids and teens The truth about stimulants vs non-stimulants  (both affect vitals) Why we need to track more than behaviour—and what to watch for The real-life variables the study didn’t cover (puberty, co-regulation, family chaos) How to use your lived experience to advocate during appointments Questions to ask your paediatrician now, based on the new data Why clinical reassurance alone isn’t enough—and never replaces your gut The difference between data-backed parenting and paranoia (and why you’re probably not overreacting) Previous studies had already established the effectiveness and general safety of ADHD medications. The 2023 ADDUCE study built upon this foundation, offering more detailed insights into their long-term safety, particularly in younger populations. 🔗 Resources & Links: 🧪 The full Lancet Psychiatry study  🎧 Related episodes: From Skeptic to Advocate – Medication, Neuroplasticity & Motherhood Stimulants vs Non-Stimulants – What’s the Difference? ADHD Meds & Pregnancy – with pharmacist Dr Rodney White 📚 Referenced researchers: The Lancet, ADHD Australia, Dr Ari Tuckman, Rodney White (UTS Pharmacy) 🎧 Listen Now If you’ve ever spiralled at 2am wondering if your child’s meds are doing more harm than good—or if you're exhausted from explaining your choices to well-meaning relatives—this episode will ground you in real data and real life. Hit play, send it to your co-parent or GP, and take this study to your next appointment. #ADHDMumsPodcast #ADHDMedicationStudy #ParentingWithADHD #NeurodivergentKids #ADHDMumLife #ADHDAndMedication #ADHDSafety #StimulantMedication #ParentAdvocacy #MedicationTracking JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Have questions or want to talk to other mums navigating ADHD meds and emotional whiplash? Join our Facebook group [here]. FOLLOW FOR MORE: Daily validation, tips, and the occasional rage-fuelled vent session — Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. LEAVE A REVIEW: Your review helps more overwhelmed mums find this podcast—and feel less alone in the chaos. COLLABS: For interviews, speaking, or partnership enquiries: [email protected] TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: ADHD medication study, ADHD meds and safety, stimulant vs non-stimulant ADHD, Ritalin Vyvanse Intuniv, ADHD in children, medicating neurodivergent kids, paediatric ADHD, ADHD parent guilt, ADHD and blood pressure, ADHD mum podcast, ADHD and tracking symptoms, how to talk to your paediatrician ADHD, lived experience and medication, medication decisions for kids, ADHD research explained, ADHD and monitoring, ADHD study Lancet Psychiatry, neurodivergent parenting, ADHD crash management, ADHD support for mums  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 202524 min

85. Real Tools for Real Rage (Mum Rage Part 2)

Okay, so you’ve screamed into your car steering wheel. Now what? In Part 2, Jane and clinical psychologist Dr Jacinta Thompson return to bring the goods: the actual, practical tools ADHD mums can use to manage rage without pretending to be zen all the time. From self-coaching scripts to nervous system hacks, this episode gives you permission to be angry—and shows you what to do with it that’s actually effective. Because no, you don’t need to just 'try yoga' again. And no, you’re not the only one who wants to punch the air when your partner asks what’s for dinner. 💡 What We Cover: How to spot rage earlier (before you hit full explosion) DBT’s ‘BUT to AND’ method for flipping shame spirals Why screaming into a pillow can be a regulation strategy How to coach your partner to be useful in the heat of the moment The link between sensory load and delayed rage meltdowns Releasing anger without suppressing it (and modelling this for your kids) Medication and mum rage: what no one tells you Jane’s own messy beliefs—and how she’s rewriting them out loud 🔗 Resources & Links: 🧠 Guest: Dr Jacinta Thompson – Time to Untangle Blog from Jacinta here on this topic.  📚 Referenced approaches: DBT dialectical thinking Emotional regulation via stress cycle completion Agomelatine & SSRIs for ADHD irritability 🎧 Related episodes: Ep 71 – 7 Honest Reasons ADHD Mums Stay Silent About the Mental Load Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Ep 32 – Realising Autistic Burnout: Self-Awareness Part 1 Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple 🎧 Listen Now You’re allowed to feel rage. You’re also allowed to not be destroyed by it.This one’s for every mum trying to hold it together while everyone needs a snack, a hug, or your last nerve. #ADHDMumsPodcast #MumRage #EmotionalRegulation #DBTForADHD #Burnout #NeurodivergentWomen #MentalLoad #TooMuchIsValid #ADHDRealTalk #ParentingWithADHD  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 202526 min