ADHD Families Podcast

Has your child ever dropped the F-bomb at exactly the worst possible moment? Maybe it was at a family dinner, in the school pickup line, or right in front of Grandma. If so, you're definitely not alone. In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, PCC Credentialed ADHD Family Coach, unpacks one of the most common challenges parents bring to coaching sessions: swearing. Sharon explains why swearing is often linked to ADHD impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, novelty-seeking behaviour, and dopamine-driven reactions, rather than disrespect or poor character. You'll learn why traditional punishment approaches often fail, how to reduce the emotional charge around swear words, and practical strategies that help children develop better self-regulation and communication skills. Sharon shares real-life examples from her own family, along with simple tools parents can start using immediately to reduce conflict and create calmer family dynamics. 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers ✅ Why swearing is often a symptom of ADHD, not a behaviour problem ✅ How impulsivity affects a child's ability to filter language ✅ The link between emotional dysregulation and swearing ✅ Why novelty and strong reactions make swear words "sticky" ✅ How attention and dopamine can unintentionally reinforce swearing ✅ Why punishment rarely solves ADHD-related swearing ✅ How to stay calm and avoid making swear words the main event ✅ The power of replacement words and modelling language ✅ Working "upstream" to reduce triggers and dysregulation ✅ Teaching contextual awareness about where certain language is appropriate ✅ Practical scripts parents can use immediately   ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Why ADHD and swearing is such a common family challenge 01:45 Why swearing is usually a symptom, not disrespect 04:00 ADHD impulsivity and the missing filter 07:00 Emotional dysregulation and why big feelings trigger big language 10:00 Novelty, reactions, and why swear words become sticky 12:30 Attention, dopamine, and reinforcement 14:30 Why punishment doesn't work for ADHD-related swearing 16:30 Strategy #1: Don't make the swear word the main event 18:30 Strategy #2: Teach and model replacement words 21:00 Strategy #3: Work upstream and reduce dysregulation 23:30 Strategy #4: Build contextual awareness 25:00 Final recap and encouragement 💰 Special Offer: The Money Hunt 2026 If you're raising a family with ADHD, you already know how easy it is for money to quietly leak out through forgotten subscriptions, unused services, unclaimed rebates, and everyday ADHD overwhelm. The Money Hunt 2026 is a five-day live implementation event designed specifically for mums in ADHD families who want practical money wins without budgeting spreadsheets, spending diaries, restriction, or guilt. Over five focused sessions, you'll uncover hidden savings, cancel forgotten subscriptions, claim rebates, negotiate bills, and build simple systems that keep money flowing back into your household long after the event ends. 🎯 Exclusive listener discount: Save $300 AUD and join for just $97 AUD. 👉 Join The Money Hunt 2026 Here   🔔 Next Steps & Resources Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast Join the waitlist for the ADHD Family Quest Check here on how to Work WIth Sharon Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com Work With Sharon Sharon Collon helps ADHD families create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Through her programs, resources, and podcast, Sharon shares compassionate, evidence-informed support for parents navigating the realities of ADHD family life. Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, executive functioning, school stress, or family routines, Sharon’s work is designed to help parents feel supported — not judged.  🌐 The Functional Family

Have you ever wondered where your money is actually going - even when you’re trying your best to stay on top of things? In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, ADHD parenting expert Sharon Collon unpacks the very real cost of the “ADHD tax” and how small forgotten admin tasks can quietly drain thousands from family finances. Sharon shares honest stories about impulsive spending, budgeting struggles, dyscalculia, and the emotional load many ADHD households carry during a cost-of-living crisis. You’ll learn why ADHD brains often avoid money management, how financial overwhelm builds silently, and the practical systems Sharon used to finally regain control. If you’ve been feeling stressed, avoidant, or ashamed about money, this episode will help you feel less alone - and give you practical next steps to start reducing the ADHD tax immediately. 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ What the “ADHD tax” actually is and why so many families experience it✅ How forgotten subscriptions, overdue admin, and delayed decisions quietly cost families thousands✅ The emotional side of money avoidance and financial overwhelm✅ Living through the collision of ADHD, rising living costs, fuel prices, and family stress✅ Why dyscalculia and ADHD can make budgeting feel impossible✅ The truth about impulsive spending in ADHD households✅ Simple systems Sharon used to uncover hidden financial leaks✅ How to reduce shame and start taking small practical action✅ The 5-day “Money Hunt” implementation event designed to help families regain control of their finances ⚠️ If your household has been feeling stretched financially lately, this episode is an important reminder that small admin gaps can create major financial stress over time. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the episode01:12 – The collision of ADHD, cost-of-living pressures, and family finances02:45 – The real story behind the “life-size pumpkin man” argumen05:10 – Why ADHD brains avoid money and admin tasks07:18 – Discovering thousands of dollars leaking from the household budget09:40 – What the ADHD tax really looks like in everyday life12:05 – Dyscalculia, overwhelm, and financial shame15:10 – Small systems that helped regain control18:42 – Why this is not about perfection or strict budgeting21:08 – Introducing the 5-day Money Hunt implementation event23:00 – Final thoughts and encouragement 💰 Ready to Stop Paying the ADHD Tax? The Money Hunt is Sharon’s practical implementation event designed specifically for ADHD families who feel overwhelmed by money, forgotten admin, subscriptions, late fees, and financial chaos. Over 5 focused days, Sharon will help you uncover hidden money leaks, simplify your systems, and create practical habits that actually work for ADHD brains. Inside The Money Hunt, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Find forgotten subscriptions and recurring charges ✅ Reduce financial overwhelm and avoidance ✅ Create ADHD-friendly money systems ✅ Recover money quietly leaking from your household ✅ Build momentum without shame or perfectionism 👉 Join The Money Hunt HERE 🔔 Next Steps & Resources Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast Join the waitlist for the ADHD Family Quest Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com Work With Sharon Sharon Collon helps ADHD families create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Through her programs, resources, and podcast, Sharon shares compassionate, evidence-informed support for parents navigating the realities of ADHD family life. Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, executive functioning, school stress, or family routines, Sharon’s work is designed to help parents feel supported — not judged.  🌐 The Functional Family

It's Sunday afternoon. Your kids can't walk past each other without it turning into something. Every interaction is a battle. And somewhere in the middle of it, you're thinking — when they grow up, are they ever going to be friends? If that's your house, stay with us. Sharon is joined by Jacquie Ward — Registered Psychologist and mum of three, including a child with ADHD — to talk about one of the most common and most misunderstood challenges in ADHD family life. Why sibling conflict is more intense in your home, and what to actually do about it.  👀 In This Episode: Why sibling conflict is more intense in ADHD families — and why you are not imagining it The six ADHD factors that create the perfect storm for sibling conflict Executive function age vs chronological age — and why it changes your expectations The family nervous system: why the whole house feels it when one child dysregulates Sharon's Blue Mountains story — and the moment that changed everything Why prevention beats reaction every time The Three Cs Framework: Cool Down, Communicate, Collaborate Why jumping in as referee is making things worse The one action to take this week that will change your next sibling fight  Quote to Carry With You  "You are not stuffing this up. Your family is not beyond support. This is a very predictable friction point in ADHD families — and it is not beyond help."  — Sharon Collon  ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – The Sunday afternoon scene — sibling conflict in ADHD homes 01:13 – Introducing Jacquie Ward 02:31 – The six ADHD factors that create the perfect storm 05:01 – Executive function age vs chronological age 06:43 – The family nervous system and emotional contagion 08:14 – Why conflict in public hits differently 11:06 – Sharon's Blue Mountains story 15:44 – The Three Cs Framework: Cool Down, Communicate, Collaborate 16:30 – Why prevention beats reaction 19:15 – Cool Down — the most important first step 21:06 – Communicate — giving kids the language 24:01 – Collaborate — building skills for long-term change 26:28 – The one action to take this week 28:45 – Workshop details — May 11–13   🥊 Want to Go Deeper? Stop the Fighting. Start Feeling Like a Family Again.  Sharon and Jacquie are running a 3-part live workshop series — the full playbook with scripts, in-the-moment strategies, and prevention tools specifically for ADHD families. Live sessions: May 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30–8:30pm AEST Replay available for 6 months Payment plans via Afterpay and Klarna JOIN US HERE  🔔 Next Steps & Resources Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast Join the waitlist for the ADHD Family Quest Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 💛 Work With Sharon Sharon Collon is a PCC credentialed ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family. She works with parents of children with ADHD who are exhausted by the daily battles — the mornings, the meltdowns, the school emails, the emotional dysregulation — and helps them build a family life that actually works. Sharon's approach is practical, ADHD-informed, and built around real family systems — not generic parenting advice that wasn't designed for your child's brain. With Sharon's support, families: Understand what's really driving their child's behaviour — and respond strategically instead of reactively Build the executive function skills their child needs, in a way that actually sticks Replace daily conflict and overwhelm with calm, connection, and confidence Create routines and systems that hold — even on the hard days Move from survival mode to a family life that feels genuinely functional and joyful Whether you're brand new to the ADHD diagnosis or years in and still feeling stuck — there is a way through. You don't have to keep pushing through alone. 👉 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com

Are you stuck in the impossible loop of should I or shouldn't I — and feeling judged no matter which way you lean? If you're a parent of a child with ADHD, the medication question is one of the most emotionally loaded decisions you'll face. And it doesn't get easier when everyone around you seems to have a very strong opinion — whether they know anything about ADHD or not. In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family, shares her own family's messy, exhausting, emotionally charged journey through this exact decision. Sharon unpacks what ADHD medication actually does in the brain, what the research really says (including what often gets left out), the truth about side effects, and five practical questions to ask before you decide. This episode won't tell you what to do — it will give you the clarity to figure out what's right for your child.Freebie: 🎁 Download your free guide: 5 Ways to Navigate Big Emotions Without Power Struggles 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ Why the medication decision feels so chaotic — and why that's completely normal ✅ The fears every ADHD parent holds: "What if I'm numbing my child? What if I'm taking the easy way out?" ✅ Sharon's own family story — the diets, the therapies, the pressure, and the turning point ✅ What ADHD medication actually does in the brain (hint: it's not a sedative) ✅ The MTA Study — the most comprehensive ADHD treatment research ever done, and what gets left out of the headline ✅ Why medication alone isn't enough — and what the research actually shows works best ✅ What a 2025 longitudinal MRI study found about timing and brain development ✅ Long-term outcomes: what the research says about medication, substance use, and quality of life ✅ Side effects — the honest, evidence-based answer every parent deserves ✅ Five questions to ask before deciding whether medication is right for your child ✅ Why the medication decision isn't a knowledge problem — it's a systems problem ✅ The most important reframe: choosing medication isn't taking the easy road ⚠️ If you've been going back and forth on this decision while the pressure from school, family, and your own head keeps building — this episode will help you think more clearly. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – The fear and chaos that comes with the medication question01:00 – Sharon's disclaimer: not medical advice, but real family experience 01:37 – Sharon's family story: diagnosis, pressure, and trying everything first 03:08 – The exhaustion of pursuing every alternative 04:12 – Getting ADHD advice from the barista (and other unhelpful moments) 06:21 – The turning point: what Sharon's husband disclosed that changed everything 07:48 – The second realisation: medication alone isn't enough 08:24 – What ADHD medication actually does in the brain 09:06 – What the research says: the MTA Study and what gets left out 11:06 – Effectiveness rates, the 2025 MRI findings, and long-term outcomes 12:06 – Side effects — the real, evidence-based answer 14:54 – Five questions to ask before deciding on medication 20:39 – Closing: you are not a bad parent either way 🎁 5 Ways to Navigate Big Emotions Without Power Struggles — FREE DOWNLOAD You're already doing the hard work of understanding your child's ADHD. But in the heat of the moment — when emotions explode and everything escalates — it can feel impossible to know what to actually do. This free guide gives you five simple, ADHD-informed strategies to help you respond to big emotions with calm and confidence, without it turning into a power struggle every single time. Because when you know what to do in the moment, everything feels a little more manageable. 👉 Download your free guide HERE. 🗺️ The ADHD Family Quest — Join the Waitlist If you're trying to make clear decisions — like the medication question — while your family life still feels like organised chaos, that's not a knowledge problem. That's a systems problem. The ADHD Family Quest is a structured, practical pathway for families navigating ADHD. It gives you the roadmap, the routines, and the clarity to move from reactive to responsive — not with a list of tips, but with real systems built around how your family actually works. When your home has a foundation, every decision — including this one — becomes clearer. 📋 JOIN THE WAITLIST HERE 🔔 Next Steps & Resources Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast Share this episode with a parent who is navigating the medication decision right now Download the free guide: 5 Ways to Navigate Big Emotions Without Power Struggles Join the waitlist for the ADHD Family Quest 💻 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 💛 Work With Sharon Sharon Collon is a PCC credentialed ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family. She works with parents of children with ADHD who are exhausted by the daily battles — the mornings, the meltdowns, the school emails, the emotional dysregulation — and helps them build a family life that actually works. Sharon's approach is practical, ADHD-informed, and built around real family systems — not generic parenting advice that wasn't designed for your child's brain. With Sharon's support, families: Understand what's really driving their child's behaviour — and respond strategically instead of reactively Build the executive function skills their child needs, in a way that actually sticks Replace daily conflict and overwhelm with calm, connection, and confidence Create routines and systems that hold — even on the hard days Move from survival mode to a family life that feels genuinely functional and joyful Whether you're brand new to the ADHD diagnosis or years in and still feeling stuck — there is a way through. You don't have to keep pushing through alone. 👉 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com

Why does parenting a child with ADHD feel relentlessly overwhelming — even when you’re doing everything “right”? ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family, unpacks why ADHD parenting overwhelm isn’t a time problem,  it’s an energy and nervous system problem. Sharon explains why traditional parenting advice fails ADHD families, how the invisible mental load builds quietly in the background, and why your body may still be in hypervigilance years after the baby stage. If you’re stuck in survival mode, Sharon shares three practical tools to reduce overwhelm immediately — without adding more to your plate. 🎁 Join The ADHD Family Quest and create your family’s tailored plan:https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/quest 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ Why ADHD nervous systems create chronic overwhelm ✅ The hidden hypervigilance mums carry (and why it’s exhausting) ✅ Why traditional parenting advice doesn’t work for ADHD ✅ The invisible load of school notes, meltdowns and mental juggling ✅ Why overwhelm is an energy problem — not a time problem ✅ The Rainbow Wall tool to rebalance negativity bias ✅ Why rest is critical (and not something you “earn”) ✅ How tracking sleep and your cycle builds strategic self-compassion ⚠️ If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen thinking “I can’t keep doing this”, this episode is for you. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Remembering “busy” before kids 02:20 – Why ADHD parenting feels heavier 04:30 – Hypervigilance starts in the baby years 07:00 – The nervous system toll of constant dysregulation 08:45 – Why traditional parenting advice fails ADHD families 09:20 – The invisible load mums carry 12:30 – The “slab of the house” foundation: sleep, cycle, energy 13:50 – It’s not a time problem — it’s an energy problem 18:30 – Tool #1: Protecting your energy 19:45 – Tool #2: The Rainbow Wall 23:15 – Tool #3: Rest is not a reward 25:30 – Tracking sleep, cycle and capacity 27:45 – Recap: 3 practical tools 29:00 – Why ADHD support must be strategic 30:00 – ADHD Family Quest invitation 🎁 Join The ADHD Family Quest Coaching Experience If you’re standing in the kitchen thinking, “I can’t keep doing this”… this is for you. If your body is on high alert. If the school calls, the meltdowns and the mental load never seem to stop. If you’re exhausted from carrying the invisible backpack. You don’t need to try harder. You need more capacity.   🚀 The ADHD Family Quest – Now Open The ADHD Family Quest is a 12-month, coaching-led experience designed to help families move from overwhelm to calmer, more functional daily life. And you don’t get there alone. Your whole family moves forward together — because it was never meant to sit on mum’s shoulders. This isn’t therapy. It isn’t a course. And it’s definitely not a quick fix. It’s structured, supported, ADHD-specific coaching that creates real, lasting change. You don’t have to keep carrying this by yourself. You just have to say yes to support. 📅 Starts 11 March 🔗 https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/quest 🔔 Next Steps & Resources 🔔 Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast📩 Share this episode with a parent who needs to hear it🎁 The ADHD Family Quest is open till 11 March 2026💻 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 💛 Work With Sharon Sharon Collon supports ADHD families to move from survival mode to functional, calm and connected — using ADHD-friendly systems that honour how sensitive nervous systems actually work. Inside The ADHD Family Quest, families: • Build environmental systems first (Base Camp) • Learn behavioural strategies that work for ADHD brains • Develop executive function skills for life • Strengthen the whole family as a team • Receive layered coaching support across 12 months Parenting ADHD does get easier. But not by accident. It gets easier when you’re strategic. You are too important to stay in survival mode.

Do your mornings feel like you’ve already lived an entire day before 9am? If school mornings are full of rushing, resistance, yelling, or tears — and you’re left completely depleted before work even begins — this episode is for you.In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family, breaks down why mornings are uniquely hard for children with ADHD — and what actually helps. Sharon explains how boring tasks, constant transitions, time pressure, and nervous system overload combine to create morning chaos — even when everyone is trying their best. Instead of behaviour charts or stricter routines, Sharon shares small, practical shifts that support regulation first, reduce pressure, and work with the ADHD brain — not against it. 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ Why ADHD mornings fall apart before the day even begins ✅ How boring tasks and transitions overload the ADHD brain ✅ Why time pressure triggers stress, not cooperation ✅ The “movie of the mind” gap that trips kids up ✅ Why behaviour issues are often regulation injuries ✅ How micro-connection changes everything ✅ Practical strategies that reduce pressure without adding work ✅ How to soften mornings without yelling, threats, or burn ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Why mornings feel harder than the rest of the day 01:30 – The emotional toll of school drop-offs and burnout 03:20 – Why ADHD brains struggle with boring tasks 05:10 – Transitions, sequencing, and time blindness explained 07:00 – Why pressure backfires in ADHD mornings 08:30 – Behaviour vs regulation: what’s really happening 10:00 – Start with regulation, not demands 12:00 – Micro-connection that supports cooperation 13:40 – Protein, positioning yourself as a teammate 15:30 – Reducing decisions before 9am 17:30 – Using music as a regulator and timer 19:30 – Screens, dopamine, and when to delay them 21:00 – Choosing one friction point to start with 23:00 – Free ADHD Roadmap Coaching Week invitation 🎁 Freebie: Create Your Family’s Tailored ADHD Roadmap (FREE) ADHD Roadmap Coaching Week 📅 Dates: 3-6 March 2026 ⏰ Live + on-demand support designed for real families If mornings are draining your energy and confidence, this free coaching week will help you move from chaos to clarity — without adding more to your plate. You’ll learn how to: ✔️ Identify the real barriers behind morning struggles ✔️ Support regulation before expectations ✔️ Reduce daily friction without power struggles ✔️ Build a personalised ADHD Family Roadmap 👉 Join here: https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/roadmap 🚀 Next Steps & Resources 🔔 Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast📩 Share this episode with a parent who needs to hear it🎁 The ADHD Family Quest Waitlist is now available💻 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 💛 Work With Sharon Sharon Collon supports ADHD families to move from overwhelm to clarity using personalised systems that honour how ADHD nervous systems actually work. Through coaching, programs, and community support, families learn how to reduce pressure, build executive function skills, and create sustainable routines — without trying to fix everything at once. When mornings soften, everything else gets lighter. And that’s where real change begins.

Have you ever looked at your child’s behaviour and thought, “Is this ADHD… or are they just being rude, defiant, or pushing boundaries?” If that question leaves you stuck between guilt and frustration, this episode is for you. In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family, breaks down why this question is so loaded - and why it keeps parents second-guessing themselves. Sharon explains how ADHD behaviour often looks like “won’t” on the outside, when underneath it’s actually a “can’t yet”. Through a powerful real-life parenting moment, Sharon shows how fear, exhaustion, and missing information sit beneath behaviour confusion and how understanding executive function changes the way we respond. This conversation will help you move from judgement to clarity, and from reacting in the moment to responding with confidence. 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ Why ADHD behaviour is often mistaken for defiance ✅ The hidden fear behind parenting self-doubt ✅ How executive function challenges show up as rudeness or escalation ✅ Why discipline doesn’t work when skills are lagging ✅ How to tell the difference between boundary-testing and skill-based behaviour ✅ What parents actually need to move forward (hint: it’s not more opinions) ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – ADHD or bad behaviour? The question that creates so much confusion 02:00 – Why parents constantly second-guess themselves 04:00 – When “won’t” is actually “can’t yet” 06:30 – Where behaviour confusion really comes from 08:30 – A real-life parenting moment that changed everything 12:00 – Why punishment doesn’t fix lagging skills 15:00 – Responding with clarity instead of fear or guilt 18:00 – What parents actually need (and it’s not more opinions) 20:00 – Creating a clear ADHD roadmap for your family 22:00 – Free coaching week invitation + next steps 🎁 Get the Back to School Workshop & templates — Replay Available Missed the Back to School Workshop? You can still access the full replay. This practical workshop helps ADHD families set their child up for the year.  In this practical session, Sharon guides you to create an ADHD specific learning support plan (your school will thank you!), an all about me form (so that your teacher understands your child from day 1), email templates to your child's school to set up positive communication and gives you a strategy bank to support you and your child's teacher when things get messy. 🎁 Freebie: Create Your Family’s Tailored ADHD Roadmap (FREE) 3–6 March 2026 · Sydney Time Four days. Four core shifts. One clear plan for your family. If you’re parenting a primary-school-aged child with ADHD and feeling overwhelmed, this free coaching week will help you move from confusion to calm — without pressure or perfection. You’ll learn how to: ✔️ Make sense of behaviour ✔️ Support skills that need development ✔️ Reduce daily friction at home ✔️ Create your personalised ADHD Family Roadmap 🕖 Daily videos: 7:00 am 🕐 Live sessions: 1:00 pm (Sydney time) 👉 Join here: https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/roadmap  🚀 Next Steps & Resources 🔔 Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast📩 Share this episode with a parent who needs to hear it🎁 The ADHD Family Quest Waitlist is now available💻 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 💛 Work With Sharon Sharon Collon supports ADHD families to move from overwhelm to clarity using personalised systems that honour how ADHD brains actually work. Through coaching, programs, and community support, families learn what to focus on first — without trying to do everything at once. When behaviour starts to make sense, parenting gets lighter. And that’s where real change begins.

What if school holidays didn’t have to end in burnout, meltdowns, and guilt? In this practical and reassuring episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon — ADHD family coach and founder of The Functional Family — shares a realistic framework for surviving school holidays without burning yourself out. Rather than aiming to thrive, Sharon reframes school holidays as a structural shift, not a break. She walks parents through six supportive strategies that prioritise the adult nervous system, lower pressure, and help ADHD families navigate long days at home with more calm and less reactivity. Whether you’re working, travelling, or home full-time with your kids, this episode will help you adjust expectations, protect your energy, and design school holidays that genuinely suit your family. 👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers: ✅ Why school holidays aren’t a break — they’re a structural shift✅ How to check your daily capacity before the day runs you✅ Why matching demand to reality changes everything✅ Ditching packed schedules and using simple daily anchors✅ Supporting ADHD kids through transitions without meltdowns✅ Using HALT to decode “behaviour”✅ What to do when things go sideways (meltdown reset sequence)✅ Guilt-free regulation strategies for parents✅ Why adult regulation comes first — always✅ Free support to help your family through the holidays ⏱️ Timestamps: (0:00) School holidays expectations vs reality for ADHD families (0:28) Why the goal is survival, not “thriving” (1:40) Reframing school holidays as a structural shift (2:34) Why parent demands rise when kids are home (3:02) Strategy 1: Daily capacity check-in (match demand to reality) (4:28) Strategy 2: Ditch packed schedules & build simple anchors (5:56) Strategy 3: Transitions, meltdowns & lunch timing (7:18) Strategy 4 & 5: HALT, behaviour clues & reset sequences (11:05) Strategy 6: Guilt-free regulation strategies for parents (13:23) Free resources, support & final reflections on doing holidays your way 🚀 Next Steps + Resources: 🎧 Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast so you never miss an episode📩 Join the newsletter for weekly ADHD family strategies🧠 Join the free ADHD Family Quest training week 🧠 Free Coaching Week – Your Family’s Tailored ADHD Roadmap 📅 3–6 March 2026 ⏰ Daily short videos released at 7:00 am 🎥 Live coaching sessions at 1:00 pm (Sydney time) This free coaching week will help you create a clear, practical ADHD roadmap tailored to your family — with daily guidance, live support, and actionable strategies you can use straight away. 👉 Register at: thefunctionalfamily.com/roadmap 🗂️ Free decluttering checklist for ADHD-friendly homes 📋 “Start the Year Right” checklist for calmer family rhythms 💼 Work With Sharon Sharon is an PCC Credentialed ADHD family coach who helps overwhelmed parents create calm, functional homes through practical strategy — not fluff. Inside The Functional Family, you’ll find coaching, programs, and tools designed for real life with neurodivergent kids. 🌐 Website: thefunctionalfamily.com 📱 Follow on social media for daily ADHD insights and support💛 Final Note Your family doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. School holidays don’t need to be perfect - they just need to be sustainable. Protect your nervous system first, lower the pressure, and do holidays your way.

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Michael Shanahan, founder of Dyscastia, about: ✅ The real challenges behind reading, writing, and maths struggles (it’s not laziness!) ✅ How to support kids when school feels impossible ✅ What myths about learning difficulties we need to throw away—now ✅ Why parents don’t need to “know it all” immediately (and where to find expert help)   ⏰ Timestamps ⏰ 00:02:04 – Introducing Michael Shanahan’s background and expertise00:03:25 – Michael explains his role as a specialist intervention tutor00:04:36 – Beginning explanation of the “3Ds” (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)00:05:36 – In-depth explanation of dyslexia: what it is and its challenges00:08:12 – What is dysgraphia? Michael’s own experience and discussion00:11:24 – What is dyscalculia? Characteristics and how it differs from other learning challenges00:14:28 – Michael’s personal journey growing up with undiagnosed learning difficulties00:18:47 – How are the 3Ds linked to ADHD?00:22:06 – Advice for parents feeling overwhelmed by new diagnoses00:26:58 – Who can diagnose the 3Ds?00:27:31 – Common myths and misconceptions about the 3Ds00:30:49 – “Specific learning disability” (SLD) reports and what they mean00:32:06 – Tech tools and accommodations for students with the 3Ds00:37:02 – Practical accommodations to ask for at school after an SLD diagnosis00:43:49 – How Michael’s children experienced school with learning differences00:45:34 – How to find Michael, his podcast, and resources for parents and teachers00:50:28 – Wrapping up and final thoughts -------------- Michael is a specialist literacy and maths interventionist, working with students who live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other learning difficulties. He is also a director of Word Cracking—software and resources designed specifically for students who find standard intervention too hard. Connect with Michael: Website: https://dyscastia.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr9MZukIRt8ZPplvj4b6BfQ Facebook: hhttps://www.facebook.com/Dyscastia --------------------------- KEY POINTS ADHD and the “3Ds” are deeply connected. Around 30–40% of kids with ADHD also live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, making learning challenges much more common than many parents realize . The struggles go beyond academics. Difficulties with reading, writing, and maths can cause embarrassment, low confidence, and a negative self-image in kids—sometimes lasting well into adulthood . Early expert support is key. Parents don’t need to have all the answers right away. Reaching out to specialist tutors, educational psychologists, or organisations like Speld can provide clarity and practical next steps . Common myths are harmful. Many people—including teachers—still wrongly believe that conditions like dyslexia or dysgraphia don’t exist, or that kids “just need to try harder.” These misconceptions can damage children’s self-esteem . Compassion and de-escalation help at home. Reducing homework loads, allowing breaks, and using supportive tech tools (like voice-to-text or read-aloud features) can relieve pressure and make learning more manageable  NEXT STEPS Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon WORK WITH Sharon Collon Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her: ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com   CONNECT 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

How do you tell your child they have ADHD without making it feel scary, overwhelming or negative? In this episode, Sharon, ADHD coach and parent mentor, walks you through exactly how to approach this sensitive conversation with warmth and confidence. You’ll learn how to turn a diagnosis into empowerment — and how to nurture your child’s self-understanding from the start. If your child has recently been diagnosed, Sharon’s free workshop “3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD” will help you feel equipped and confident. Grab your spot now at thefunctionalfamily.com/easier  💛 👀 In this episode, Sharon covers: ✅ Why telling your child they have ADHD early builds resilience and self-esteem ✅ The biggest mistake parents make when keeping it a “secret” ✅ How to frame ADHD as a unique brain wiring rather than a disorder ✅ Simple ways to weave ADHD into everyday chats, not “big sit-down talks” ✅ How to highlight your child’s strengths — not just their challenges ✅ Real-life language you can use to explain ADHD to different age groups ✅ How to stay curious and keep the conversation going as your child grows ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Finding the right words to tell your child about ADHD 02:15 – Why Sharon felt lost after her first diagnosis 04:00 – The importance of empowering children with the truth 06:30 – Why avoiding “the label” can cause more harm than good 09:45 – How to keep the conversation casual and positive 13:10 – Reframing ADHD as unique brain wiring 15:20 – Using relatable role models to inspire your child 18:00 – Sharing your own ADHD story (without assumptions) 21:15 – Highlighting strengths and self-understanding 25:00 – Encouraging ongoing questions and curiosity 28:00 – Teaching that “everything is figureoutable” 30:45 – Sharon’s free workshop for parents: 3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD 💡 Next Steps + Resources 🎧 Subscribe to The Functional Family Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube 🎁 Join the free workshop: thefunctionalfamily.com/easier  📘 Download Sharon’s ADHD resources via her website 💬 Follow Sharon on Instagram at @thefunctionalfamily  💼 Work With Sharon Sharon helps parents of children with ADHD create calmer homes and confident families through coaching, workshops, and practical ADHD resources. Start with her free workshop, “3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD,” or explore her signature Functional Family Membership for deeper support and community. 🌐 Visit thefunctionalfamily.com  to learn more.  

Ever feel like you need to clone yourself just to get through the week? Trust me, you’re not alone! If your to-do list is longer than your arm and you’re running on coffee and hope, I’ve got something that will make you feel seen (and maybe even make you laugh). In this episode, I spill all my best-kept secrets for buying back your time, reducing stress, and creating a home that actually works for your beautiful, busy family. From clever outsourcing hacks (think: veggie-chopping superheroes and laundry angels) to the art of saying “no” without the guilt, this episode is packed with practical, strength-based strategies you can use right now. What you’ll learn: Rapid-fire ideas for what to outsource (and what to let go of) Real-life scripts for saying “no” (without feeling like the bad guy) Tips for using tech and community to lighten your load A big permission slip to ditch the martyrdom and invest in your family’s wellbeing ⏰ Timestamps ⏰ 00:00 ADHD Families: Ease and Joy 06:29 Earn Extra Doing What You Love 08:33 "Finding Time-Value Balance" 11:17 Outsourcing Tips and Costs 15:05 Efficient Home Maintenance Strategies 16:52 Efficient Task Management and Meal Planning 21:54 Outsourcing Veggie Prep Benefits 23:26 Budget Shopping and Delivery Choices 28:00 AI Uncovers Hidden Subscriptions 30:44 Sunday Productivity Tips 36:30 Balancing Kids' Schedules & Downtime 37:19 Choose One Activity Per Child 41:05 Personal Styling Service Time Saver 45:55 Outsourcing for Family Well-being 50:04 Outsource and Barter for Efficiency ------------------ The Art of Saying “No” (Without the Guilt) Don’t fill your freed-up time with more obligations! Use Sharon’s go-to script: “Thank you for the offer, I’ll get back to you.” Then set a reminder and check if it actually fits your values and schedule. Remember: Future you is just as busy as present you. Don’t overcommit on the hope that “it’ll calm down soon.” Key Takeaways Outsourcing is an investment in your family’s wellbeing—not a failure. Start with your biggest pain point. Just pick one thing to try outsourcing and see how much lighter life feels. Use tech and community to your advantage—reminders apps, shared notes, and even AI can help you manage admin and subscriptions. Barter with friends! Swap the jobs you hate for the ones you love. Links & Resources Time Audit Resource: Click HERE Meal Planning Mini Course: Coming soon—my ADHD-friendly meal planning system. Loved this episode?Share it on your socials, leave a review, and help us start a conversation about ADHD. For more support, strategies, and a sprinkle of humour, check out thefunctionalfamily.com. Remember, you don’t have to do it all. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help (or outsource the washing!). This week’s challenge:Pick just one task that drains your energy or always gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list—and outsource it. It could be as simple as hiring someone to fold your laundry, getting your groceries delivered, or asking a friend to swap chores with you. Don’t overthink it! Choose the task you dread most or the one that would buy you the most breathing room. Try it once—just as an experiment. Notice how it feels to have that space back in your day. Bonus points: Share your outsourcing win (or fail!) in the ADHD Families Facebook group to inspire and support other families. NEXT STEPS Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon   WORK WITH ME I help parents of children with ADHD through my: ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com   CONNECT 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog    

Are you constantly walking on eggshells around your child with ADHD? Feeling like you’re failing as a parent or just plain exhausted from the daily battles? You’re not alone—and there’s hope! In this episode, Sharon Collon shares the three simple but powerful skills that can transform your family dynamic and help you move from reactive to responsive parenting. Sharon, award-winning ADHD coach and founder of The Functional Family, introduces her signature CRC method—Curious, Regulated, and Clear. With over 17 years supporting families and her own lived experience, she knows traditional parenting advice often misses the mark for children with ADHD. Instead, Sharon’s CRC approach is practical, research-backed, and designed to work with your child’s brain, not against it. What You’ll Learn Why most parenting strategies fail families with ADHD—and what to do instead The CRC Method: Curious: Shift from frustration to curiosity. See your child’s behaviour as communication, not defiance. Ask, “I wonder what’s going on for them in this moment?” to get to the root of tricky behaviours. Regulated: Manage your own emotional state first. Dysregulation is contagious! Learn simple ways to slow things down, model calm, and help your child regulate by leading by example. Clear: Give specific, achievable instructions. Ditch the vague “be good” and go for concise, one-step directions your child can actually follow. Less is more—sometimes just two words and a kind face do the trick. ⏰ Timestamps ⏰ 00:00 Transformative ADHD Parenting Skills 03:47 Curiosity Over Judgment 09:23 Concise Instructions Essential 10:42 ADHD Parenting: Key Skills Overview ------------------------------------------------------ Sharon’s Top Tips Don’t stack instructions—one thing at a time! Practice saying your instruction in your head before you say it out loud to keep it short and clear. Remember: Your child’s dysregulation isn’t about you—it’s about their developing brain. The CRC method isn’t just theory; it’s a game-changer for daily life. Challenge of the Week Which CRC skill will you focus on first? Share your choice in our free support group and connect with other parents on the same journey! Loved this episode?Share it on your socials and leave a review on iTunes to make this mum do a happy dance! Want more resources, strategies, and support? Visit thefunctionalfamily.com. NEXT STEPS Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon   WORK WITH Sharon Collon Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her: ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com   CONNECT 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Sam Taylor, founder of Go Beyond Therapy, about: ✅ Why parents are more burnt out than ever (and what to do about it) ✅ The “bucket” analogy that makes sense of your overwhelm ✅ Tiny, doable self-care moments that actually work ✅ How to spot the warning signs before you hit meltdown mode ⏰ Timestamps ⏰ 00:00 Parental Emotional Regulation Challenges 04:49 Practical Self-Care for Parents 07:49 Managing Emotional Overflow in Parents 11:55 Parental Burnout Strains Relationships 15:52 Mindful Parenting for Emotional Regulation 20:07 Balancing Family Sensory Needs 22:22 "Strategies for Reducing Daily Stress" 26:56 Understanding Occupational Therapy's Role 31:23 Progressing Towards Big Goals Incrementally 32:29 Individualised Goal Strategies in OT -------------- Sam is an occupational therapist with experience supporting children with a wide range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, Down Syndrome, and many more. She has been working and volunteering in the pediatric disability space for over 10 years. Her journey in this field is not just professional, but also personal. Having navigated challenges similar to dyslexia and auditory processing difficulties herself, she understands the hurdles that families face within the education system, therapeutic environments, and everyday life. Her approach to therapy is holistic and family-centered. She recognises that enhancing a child’s well-being goes beyond traditional milestones like handwriting. She believes in nurturing self-confidence and resilience—qualities that form the cornerstone of building a fulfilling life. She sees each child’s belief in themselves as a crucial building block upon which all progress is built. Connect with Sam: Website: https://www.gobeyondtherapy.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/go.beyond.therapy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gobeyondtherapy/  ---------------------------  KEY POINTS Every parent has a “coping bucket” with different capacities. Self-care is small and practical, not grand gestures. Deep breathing, whispering instead of raising your voice, stepping away briefly if safe, or using sensory tools like noise-canceling headphones helps parents co-regulate. Meeting sensory needs through alternatives like weighted items, heavy work activities, or trampolines to reduce physical demands on the parent while supporting the child’s regulation.   NEXT STEPS Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon   WORK WITH Sharon Collon Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her: ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com   CONNECT 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog