ADHD Mums

Jane McFadden

Welcome to The ADHD MUMS Podcast, a lifeline for Australian mums navigating ADHD and motherhood. Perfect for struggling, burnt out mums who want to drop perfectionism.

  1. 39. CONFESSION: Can You Love Someone and Still Dread S*x?

    2天前

    39. 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 shame This 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 way References & 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 ADHD If 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.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...

    14 分钟
  2. 38. QUICK RESET: The Hallway Hook That Saved My Sanity

    2天前

    38. 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 home This 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 survivable Related 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 yet If 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 Organisation Tuckman, 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 ADHD Centers 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...

    9 分钟
  3. 37. HORMONES: Histamine + Hormones – Why You Feel Like You’re Falling Apart

    3天前

    37. 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 Episode Why 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 support This 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 References & Resources Mentioned ADHD & 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 ADHD 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 jane@adhdmums.com.au. MORE RESOURCES: Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

    21 分钟
  4. 36. QUICK RESET: They said don't label him, so he suffered in silence

    8月27日

    36. 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 resilience Related Episodes: S2E54 How to Talk to Your Child About ADHD – practical language and scripts for conversations 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 jane@adhdmums.com.au. MORE 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...

    18 分钟
  5. 35. You Were the Good Girl. That’s Why You’re Falling Apart Now.

    8月26日

    35. 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 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...

    31 分钟
  6. 34. Is It Social Anxiety — or Is It Autism

    8月25日

    34. 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 jane@adhdmums.com.au. 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...

    34 分钟
  7. 33. CONFESSIONS: I Don’t Always Like Being a Parent

    8月20日

    33. 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...

    13 分钟
  8. 32. QUICK RESET: My child is being bullied and I'm supposed to stay calm

    8月19日

    32. 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:a...

    29 分钟

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Welcome to The ADHD MUMS Podcast, a lifeline for Australian mums navigating ADHD and motherhood. Perfect for struggling, burnt out mums who want to drop perfectionism.

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