Unmasking Mum

Ana Bonasera

Unmasking Mum - your go to podcast for the real, raw answers late-discovered ADHD mums are searching for.

Episodes

  1. 12/30/2025

    5 most common ADHD challenges in mums

    In this episode of Unmasking Mum, I share my own journey of realising I’m ADHD and gently walk through five of the most common traits we see in ADHD mothers: emotional dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, time blindness, sensory overload and forgetfulness. I explain how these traits show up in everyday mum life, from feeling overwhelmed and emotionally reactive, to struggling with time, routines and the mental load of parenting. I also connect these experiences back to the DSM-5 criteria, helping you understand that these challenges aren’t personal failings, but part of how an ADHD brain works. This episode is about awareness, self-compassion and recognising yourself without judgement, so you can begin to support yourself more kindly, both as a parent and as a person. Takeaways Emotional dysregulation can make feelings intense and fast-moving.Executive functioning challenges impact planning, organisation and follow-through.Time blindness can make everyday tasks feel harder to manage.Sensory overload is a real and exhausting part of ADHD mum life.Forgetfulness adds to the already heavy mental load of motherhood.Understanding ADHD traits through the DSM-5 can bring clarity and validation.ADHD mums often face unique pressures and expectations.Support systems and simple routines can help ease daily challenges.Self-acceptance is a powerful part of living well with ADHDTalking openly about emotions helps children feel understood too. Sound Bites “I realised I was ADHD around four years ago, and suddenly so much made sense.”“The mental load of motherhood is heavy, ADHD just adds another layer.”“These aren’t flaws; they’re traits of an ADHD brain.”“Understanding yourself changes how you parent.” Chapters 00:00 Welcome & My ADHD Realisation  08:34 Five Common ADHD Traits in Mothers  25:55 How These Traits Link to the DSM-5

    24 min
  2. 12/22/2025

    Weird is your Magic! With Guest Holly Matthews

    In this episode of Unmasking Mum, I’m joined by Holly Matthews for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about ADHD, neurodivergence and the ongoing journey of unmasking who we really are. We talk about what it’s like to grow up not knowing why you feel different and how late understanding of ADHD can bring both clarity and grief. Together, we explore how grief can reshape you, how embracing your “weirdness” is actually a pathway to authenticity and why self-acceptance is a practice, not a destination. We also dive into the realities of motherhood and running a business with a neurodivergent brain, especially during overwhelming seasons like Christmas. This episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t need to do life perfectly to be doing it well. Lowering expectations, creating support around you and allowing yourself to be fully you can make all the difference. Takeaways Many of us grew up feeling different before ADHD was widely understood. Unmasking is part of the self-discovery journey — and it can be both freeing and emotional. Grief often opens the door to deep personal growth and change. Your “weirdness” is not something to fix — it’s part of your authenticity. Neurodivergent mums and business owners face unique pressures, especially around productivity. Lowering expectations can make Christmas (and life) feel more manageable. Joy can still exist in the chaos of motherhood. Self-acceptance is ongoing — and that’s okay. Supportive environments help neurodivergent people thrive. Having coping strategies matters, especially during overwhelming seasons. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to Unmasking Mum05:35 — Understanding ADHD & Neurodivergence10:34 — Self-Discovery, Late Understanding & Grief20:08 — Unmasking & Embracing Authenticity30:05 — Business, Motherhood & the Neurodivergent Brain33:53 — Coping With Christmas Overwhelm Links Christmas guide and prep https://the-happy-me-project.kit.com/828c358f76 Christmas Bingo https://the-happy-me-project.kit.com/1b190362e4

    38 min
  3. How to get an ADHD diagnosis

    12/19/2025

    How to get an ADHD diagnosis

    In this episode, I discuss the three different pathways to getting a diagnosis and speak directly to anyone who has ever felt dismissed, unheard or made to doubt themselves when seeking support from healthcare professionals. I talk about the importance of trusting yourself, advocating for your needs, and remembering that you have every right to ask questions, seek answers and pursue a diagnosis. We explore the reality that the healthcare system doesn’t always get it right, especially for women and neurodivergent people and why it’s okay to push back, seek second opinions and choose providers who truly listen. This conversation is about reclaiming your voice, standing in your truth and knowing that your experiences are valid. Your health is your life and you deserve care that reflects that. Please note since I've recorded this there have been some areas who have closed the right to choose pathway and your best to check the ADHD UK website (linked below) to find out about your local area. Sound bites: You are allowed to seek a diagnosis if you feel something isn’t right. Being dismissed doesn’t mean you’re wrong, it means you may need different support.Self-advocacy is not being difficult; it’s being informed and empowered.You can change providers if you’re not being heard.Your struggles are real and worthy of acknowledgement.Your health decisions belong to you.This is your life, not theirs.You are not asking for too much.You know your body better than anyone else.Being heard is a right, not a privilege.Advocating for yourself can feel hard, but it matters.Links https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/ Screening tool: https://adhduk.co.uk/adult-adhd-screening-survey/

    18 min
  4. Why we're here

    12/18/2025

    Why we're here

    In this episode, I open up about the real-life struggle so many of us ADHD mums face, being full of creativity, passion and purpose… but not always having the executive functioning skills to actually finish the projects we’re excited about. I talk about my own journey of searching for kinder, more sustainable strategies to help me move from “big idea energy” to completion, without burning out or beating myself up along the way. Some days it clicks, some days it absolutely doesn’t and honestly, that’s just life with an ADHD brain. But together, we can learn to work with our brains, not against them and celebrate every messy, colourful step in between. ✨ Takeaways  ADHD mums are incredibly creative, passionate, purpose-driven people.Our executive functioning doesn’t always keep up with our ideas and that’s okay.Strategies, support and self kindness can help us actually finish the work we care about.Some projects flow; some don’t, that’s part of being human, not a failure.You’re not alone in the ups and downs of getting things done with an ADHD brain.🎙️ Sound Bites  “We’re bursting with creativity, it’s the finishing part that can feel like climbing Everest.”“It’s not a lack of passion. It’s a need for support, strategy, and kindness toward ourselves.”“Some days the strategies land, and some days they don’t and that’s okay.”“We can learn to work with our brains, not against them.”“Completion doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be possible.”📚 Chapters 00:00: Welcome to Unmasking Mum00:28: Creativity, Executive Function, and the Art of Finishing ProjectsClosing: What’s Coming Next on the Podcast

    18 min

About

Unmasking Mum - your go to podcast for the real, raw answers late-discovered ADHD mums are searching for.