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

Why does one tiny question sometimes feel like a full-body emotional attack? In this episode, I'm walking you through a very ordinary moment that turned into a huge realization for me: my husband asking why my gas tank was almost empty. Not a fight. Not a disaster. Just a question. But internally? My brain immediately launched into anxiety, defensiveness, shame, overexplaining, and mental gymnastics before he even finished speaking. And honestly, I think so many of us with ADHD do this all day long without even realizing it. I'm sharing what came up for me emotionally, how old childhood narratives around being "careless" still show up in everyday situations, and the exact neuroplasticity exercise I'm practicing to change those automatic responses. We talk about slowing down your stress response, recognizing the physical sensations tied to anxiety, and intentionally replacing old shame-based beliefs with sturdier, kinder truths. Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) does not have to rule your emotions! With time, I've shifted my responses so that I'm able to separate from roller coaster feelings. This episode is deeply personal, practical, and validating for anyone who feels exhausted from constantly preparing to defend themselves. You are not broken, Mama. Your brain learned patterns, and your brain can learn new ones, too. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-283-rsd-when-simple-questions-feel-like-personal-attack Links mentioned in this episode: Fill in a virtual coffee chat request to ask more about ADHD Coaching with Patricia. You're not alone. "This is a chance to invest in yourself and build a community that will empower your future. Worth it!" –ADHD Mama D.B. Our 5th annual all-inclusive ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 16-18, 2026 just outside of Houston, Texas! And I hope you're coming! I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. Having a circle of moms who support you and believe in you matters. Register for your all-inclusive ticket here: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

Do you ever feel like an emotional sponge, absorbing the feelings of others around you? Especially when you're with someone you care about? Especially when you're in certain parts of your cycle? Extra especially when they are agitated, frustrated, angry, or anxious? In this episode, we dive deep into understanding emotional regulation, stress management, and the unique challenges faced by moms with ADHD. From absorbing everyone else's emotions to navigating the stress ladder, we'll explore the struggles and I'll offer practical strategies for finding balance and grace in the midst of the storm. You CAN learn to hear your own signals and trust them, as well as build your stress tolerance to help you regulate during the day, in spite of the rest of your and your family's stressors! And once you know how, you can teach your kids how to increase their stress tolerance, too. ***Note: This episode originally aired in April of 2024. As I write my book on Motherhood in ADHD while my boys are at home all summer (send prayers and patience), I'm sharing past episodes that topped the charts last year. I know these episodes will support you with some integral skills for ADHD and lots of virtual hugs. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-269-adhd-adult-tantrum-meltdown Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 183: More Than Chore Charts: How to use visual communication to connect with your ADHD child and yourself, even if you're not creative with Laura Matteson More episodes on Emotional Regulation: Episode 72: Emotional Regulation, Executive Function and ADHD Episode 73: Self Regulation, Executive Function and ADHD Episode 102: Emotional Regulation and Support for Overwhelmed Parents with Adult ADHD with Dr. Edward Hallowell Episode 175: Exit the Emotional Rollercoaster: How to Help Your ADHD Child Build Their Emotional Regulation Skills with Dr. Carrie Jackson Episode 182: How I Overcame RSD and Saved My Marriage (and stopped being a yelling, angry mom) Episode 205: Emotional Sponges: How to Stop Absorbing Other People's Feelings by Defining Your Boundaries and Building Your Emotional Regulation Tools - A Behind the Scenes Look into my Small Group ADHD Coaching Program Lighthouse You're not alone. "This is a chance to invest in yourself and build a community that will empower your future. Worth it!" –ADHD Mama D.B. Our annual all-inclusive ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 10-12, 2025 just outside of Houston, Texas! And we hope you're coming, too! I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. There are just a few tickets left, so get yours now. Having a circle of moms who support you and believe in you matters. Register for your all-inclusive ticket here: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

What "should" you have done already? Finish your degree? Pass your driver's license test? Make that doctor's appt? Left the house for school pickup? If you're constantly thinking "I'm behind!", this episode is for you. Often it's literal, as in, "I'm 20 minutes late to my appointment!" But it's also in the big things, like you "should" have more kids by now or gotten that promotion. You're not alone! Feeling behind has come up in several discussions recently both in Group Coaching, and in writing my book. What are the patterns showing up in this pervasive problem among women with ADHD? Here's how to move forward both logistically and mentally. ***Note: This episode originally aired in April of 2024. As I write my book on Motherhood in ADHD while my boys are at home all summer (send prayers and patience), I'm sharing past episodes that topped the charts last year. I know these episodes will support you with some integral skills for ADHD and lots of virtual hugs. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-267-four-reasons-why-you-feel-behind It's time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 4th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 10-12, 2025, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

How do moms do ALL.THE.THINGS in a methodical, consistent manner? My client asked me this earlier this month. She wanted to see how someone else "does it all" in order to get a better grasp on what it looks like. Plus she asked for an example of a weekly schedule where somebody meal plans, cooks, takes care of their kids, and works part time. "Doing it all" is an overwhelming challenge that so many moms face. In this episode, I'm sharing a clip from our call where I explain how I do it all. Spoiler alert: I don't do it all at the same time. This episode is a deep dive into real, actionable strategies to build a flexible weekly schedule that fits your unique brain—and your real life, messiness, and all. Reminder: you are not a robot. You're also not parenting a bunch of predictable and programmable robots. Plus, ADHD is anything but predictable! Unless you're predicting chaos… Soooo, how do you deal with unpredictability in a job that requires a lot of consistency, such as parenting? You work WITH your brain. Instead of chasing an unrealistic ideal, I'm walking you through a realistic plan that is easily adjusted as your life (and your kids!) change. Lowering the chaos starts with identifying what is most important to you, taking care of yourself, and implementing your foundational schedule in baby steps. Peek behind the curtain as I share my own approach to balancing meal planning, part-time work, household chores, and kid schedules, emphasizing the power of routines, batching, and giving yourself grace when things don't go as planned. Tune in for: The honest truth on why consistency in motherhood is a myth (and why systems and batching are your new best friends) A step-by-step walkthrough of creating a foundational schedule that works for real humans (messy mornings and all!) Why "bare minimum" isn't lazy—it's brilliant Meal planning hacks that even "please-don't-make-me-cook" mamas can love Permission to do less, love yourself more, and actually enjoy motherhood—even when the doo-doo hits the wall (literally and figuratively) This episode is packed with practical tips for lowering decision fatigue, embracing imperfection, and giving yourself credit for how far you've come. Whether you're struggling with meal planning, juggling conflicting priorities, managing transitions, or just feeling stuck in the chaos, I've got your back with honest advice and a reminder: you already are a great mom. Pop in your earbuds, take a deep breath, and let's figure out together how to keep up with all the things—on your own terms. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-265-how-do-you-keep-up-with-everything-as-a-mom Looking for the kind of support you heard today? Join me for Group Coaching for live, personalized support, or DIY your schedule with my self-paced course Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms. See Patricia's Foundational Schedule Spring 2025 Purchase my Foundational Schedule PDF for $5 (this comes with Time Management Mastery for ADHD Moms, so download it inside that course for free) Ready to get away? Our annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 10-12, 2025 just outside of Houston, Texas! You're officially invited :) "Gift yourself the opportunity to meet like-minded people (literally), make instant friendships, and the space to finally be yourself." –ADHD Mama T.H. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. Because you deserve to take care of yourself too. Early bird tickets & bonuses close June 1st. Get your all-inclusive ticket here: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

Ever feel like you're "just too much"—too scattered, too loud, too mistake-prone, too ditzy, just…too all over the place? Maybe you dropped your phone in the ocean and screamed "noooo" until you cried? (Raising my hand slowly…) If so, you're in the right place. This last couple of weeks has been tough – a sinus infection, perimenopause brain fog, sunburned kids, lost phones, scraped bumpers, too-much-talking children, and waves of "am I too much for everyone?" If you're a mama with ADHD barely keeping your head above the laundry—err, water—this one's for you. Here's what we're discussing today: Why "careless mistake" is a phrase I wish would disappear (like my phone in the waves) The inside scoop on what "I'm too much" really means—and how it's all relative (spoiler: it's not you, it's the situation and who you're with) My tried-and-true tricks for loving yourself through chaos, mistakes, and feeling like a walking, talking, sticky note of forgetfulness How to communicate with your family when your ADHD turns up to level eleven—and what a little vulnerability can do for your relationships What it looks like when you stop trying to shove yourself into everyone else's "normal" and start being unapologetically YOU (even if "you" occasionally forgets the sunscreen) A sneak peek at the amazing ADHD Mama Retreat—your chance for a whole weekend of self-care, nature, and connecting with mamas who actually get it (and won't judge you for that time you forgot your own age) This isn't the land of Pinterest-perfect life. It's the real, messy, laugh-so-you-don't-cry journey of being a mom with ADHD who is embracing their quirks—and finally letting go of the "I should just try harder" myth. I'm hoping you feel seen, heard, and maybe even ready to forgive yourself for that thing you messed up last week (you know the one). Ready to hug your "too much" self and join a community of mamas who do the same? Hit play. And join us in October for the 4th annual ADHD Moms Retreat. Stick around until the end of the episode, when I'll tell you all about this amaaaaaaaaaazing weekend that you just have to come to! Early bird tickets are available until June 1st! Why get your ticket this month? 1) Secure the shrinking payment plan - no added interest. 2) Choose the kind of tiny home you want while both are still available. 3) Grab an additional group coaching session during the retreat weekend. 4) Look forward to this trip All Summer Long! I'm toying with some other things, too, but I'll leave a few surprises as well. Just in case you need more time, no worries. Early bird tickets are available until June 1st, and then Regular Tickets are available until the event sells out. Get your ticket, write me on your calendar, then come hang out with me and this sweet group of mamas in October. Reserve your spot on this relaxing weekend at https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-263-am-i-too-much-adhd-mom-retreat. Wish you felt better about all the stuff you've messed up recently? Need a weekend away to get your head on straight? You are officially invited to the 4th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat, October 10-12, 2025, just outside of Houston, Texas! "Honestly, this was one the best weekends I've had since becoming a mom. I've never felt so seen and understood. I would hop on a plane and go again. No hesitation! I'll follow y'all anywhere, moms." –ADHD Mama J.Q. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. I take care of you while you learn how to take even better care of yourself, in a way that's sustainable for real momlife. Because you can take care of your family when you're in a healthy place. Early bird tickets & bonuses are available until June 1st. Get your all-inclusive ticket here: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

What if everyone hates me? What if no one reads my book? No one told me that writing a book came with an existential crisis. Wrestling with how to write the book that moms need, while also showing up fully as myself, and writing words I can stand by for decades to come… this has been a lot more weighty than I expected. I thought I was going to be updating you on logistics, timelines, and contracts. What I'm mostly sharing is how I'm navigating a tough inner critic, anxiety, and people pleasing. Let's jump in. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-261-what-if-everyone-hates-me-book Links mentioned in this episode: Ready to get away? Our annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 10-12, 2025 in Houston, Texas! You're officially invited :) "Honestly, this was one the best weekends I've had since becoming a mom. I've never felt so seen and understood. I would hop on a plane and go again. No hesitation! I'll follow y'all anywhere, moms." –ADHD Mama J.Q. (4th time attending) I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. I take care of you while you learn how to take even better care of yourself, in a way that's sustainable for real momlife. Because you can take care of your family when you're in a healthy place. Learn more here: patriciasung.com/retreat Or go directly to the waitlist and add your name here: patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist Episode 10: How to be Less Late: An ADHD Guide for improving timeliness when you are time blind Episode 238: Setting Boundaries and Navigating Criticism: Managing RSD, Hypersensitivity, and Overstimulation with ADHD Tell me what you want to read about, join the beta reading team, or just be nosy about the first book on being a mom with ADHD: patriciasung.com/book

Ditch the quest for Pinterest perfection and actually get stuff done. In this episode, I'm getting real about how my book proposal is going amidst juggling the whirlwind of parenting and work projects. The highs and lows of writing are kicking in already. Do I need to write multiple books because there's just too much to say? Slow your roll, Patricia! One step at a time! I still have to balance work and family life, which is no easy feat, especially while ADHD and parenting are being greatly affected in America's current situation. I don't have a lot of answers today, but I have honest stories to share about what makes this goal difficult, yet worthwhile. Come along while I attempt to figure out how to make big dreams and goals a reality while keeping my sanity. I hope it gives you a boost of motivation to tackle a few items on your own chaotic to-do list while prioritizing your mental health. We can do this! Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-259-juggling-big-goals-parenting-with-adhd-book-update2 Links mentioned in this episode: Ready to get away? Our annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 10-12, 2025 in Houston, Texas! You're officially invited :) "Gift yourself the opportunity to meet like-minded people (literally), make instant friendships, and the space to finally be yourself." –ADHD Mama T.H. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. Because you deserve to take care of yourself too. Learn more here: patriciasung.com/retreat Or go directly to the waitlist and add your name here: patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist