The ADHD MUMS Pod

We share our highs and lows of the week, diving into embarrassing moments, therapy breakthroughs, and the financial challenges of managing ADHD.

• Gen recounts an embarrassing incident with her new university tutor
• She also found a therapist who feels like "a vibe" after reaching the top of a waiting list for free therapy
• Claire discusses financial struggles while dealing with health issues that limit her ability to work
• We explore the "ADHD tax" of forgotten subscriptions and strategies for managing them
• Gen shares a tip about immediately cancelling free trials after signing up, to avoid r...

We discuss the fascinating connection between neurodivergent children and their attraction to horror, spooky stories, and darker themes. We explore why these interests shouldn't necessarily concern parents but might actually represent healthy processing and identity formation.

• Neurodivergent children often relate more to villains and outsider characters than traditional heroes
• Many ADHD and autistic children have an innate attraction to horror and spooky content from a young age
• Children who experience frequent correction or feeling different may find validation in characters who don't fit in
• The neurochemical rewards of controlled fear experiences can be particularly appealin...

We've launched a dedicated phone line for listener voice notes to create a more interactive podcast experience. Our new Voice Notes From The Edge feature gives you a direct way to share your stories and questions with us.

• Call or text 07308 450037 to leave your voice messages
• Share your highs, lows, funny stories, and embarrassing moments
• Send us your life hacks, recommendations, and burning questions
• We'll respond to your messages and might feature them in future episodes
• We can be your agony aunts, cackling sisters, or dedicated researchers

Call or text us at 07308 4...

We share our weekly highs and lows, focusing on how we're learning to manage the "feast and famine" energy cycles that come with ADHD. We discuss practical strategies for avoiding over-commitment and finding balance in chaotic lives.

• Gen's low involves recognizing she was taking on too many new opportunities and creating an unsustainable schedule
• Using a color-coded timetable helped her visualize her commitments and prioritize "sacred time" with her children
• Gen made practical adjustments like switching to phone counselling to reduce travel time
• Claire's low centers around a cascade of transportation problems stemming from an unpai...

We return to discuss the highs and lows of navigating life with ADHD while managing health challenges, medication adjustments, and back-to-school transitions.

• Claire shares her realization that stopping ADHD medication during illness significantly impacted her cognitive function
• We discuss the challenges of body awareness and pacing for neurodivergent people when unwell
• Claire's health updates including upcoming surgery and attending a family gig despite physical limitations
• Gen celebrates a successful back-to-school transition after previous struggles with school avoidance
• The importance of teachers who genuinely like and support neurodivergent children
• Reflections on our own childhood ex...

We're back again, with our Highs and Lows...

• Claire's low: Being stuck at home while sick, dealing with hospitals and the mental health impact of isolation
• The disconnect between feeling young inside while aging physically 
• Gym memberships and exercise intentions that never materialize – a classic ADHD pattern.
• Claire's high: Support from loved ones, especially her son cooking meals and spending quality time
• Gen's ongoing challenges of solo parenting and summer holiday management
• A fruit fly invasion and "creative" (but totally ineffective) trap inventions
• Boss moments in the continuation of Gen getting back into her mus...

We return after a sudden absence to explain our disappearance, sharing candid stories about our recent medical emergencies and hospital stays.

• Claire spent over ten days in multiple hospitals dealing with a severe infection in her fallopian tubes
• A hospital procedure gone wrong left Claire with a drain tube caught on her sciatic nerve, causing excruciating pain
• After being discharged, Claire has spent weeks trying to coordinate care between two hospitals that won't take responsibility for her treatment
• Gen underwent a painful procedure and experienced a spontaneous knee dislocation while recovering alone at home
• We...

We share our weekly highs and lows, exploring the emotional challenges of parenting teens and finding moments of connection amid chaos.

• Claire's week dominated by helping her teenage son through exam stress, requiring her to relearn subjects from Latin to maths
• The breakthrough moment when her son allowed physical comfort after almost a year of rejection
• Claire reassuring her anxious teen that subject choices don't determine his entire future
• Gen's anxiety spiral after reading about potential cyber attacks leading to World War III fears
• Her coping mechanism of purchasing emergency supplies while trying to maintai...

We explore what their ideal ADHD-friendly homes would look like, from practical solutions to fantastical dreams, while repeatedly getting side-tracked, as per usual.

• Low-maintenance outdoor spaces like yards with potted plants instead of gardens requiring constant upkeep
• Automated home features like laundry chutes, robot vacuum cleaners, and smart home technology to reduce cognitive load
• Meal prep strategies and the challenges of demand avoidance when it comes to pre-planned meals
• Creating snack boxes for children to reduce constant food requests while providing structure
• The distinction between comfort eating and using food as a form of dissoci...

We explore how ADHD brains might be better suited to hunter-gatherer societies than our modern capitalist world, questioning if our current social structures are fundamentally misaligned with neurodivergent minds.

• The hunter-gatherer theory of ADHD suggests our brains evolved for different tasks than modern 9-to-5 work demands
• Claire discusses how leaving her job allowed her to reconnect with her authentic self after being depleted by constant masking and exhaustion
• Universal basic income could potentially allow ADHD individuals to contribute meaningfully in ways that work with their brain wiring
• The concept of communal living as an alternat...

We share our weekly highs and lows, exploring the challenges of neurodivergent travel and the joys of neighborhood connections.

• Claire's low: the chaos of traveling as a neurodivergent couple, including last-minute passport expiration panic and disorganization with transort.
• Claire's high: experiencing ancient Neanderthal cave art in Spain despite terrifying slippery stairs and language barriers.
• Overcoming communication challenges in Spanish with Google translate and determination.
• Finding relaxation at a poolside resort after the stress of the cave adventure.
• Gen's low: ongoing co-parenting challenges and the struggle to reach agreement on basic essentials
• Gen's high: neighb...

We explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), an intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection or criticism commonly experienced by people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. We share personal stories about how understanding RSD has helped us recognize when we're experiencing it and develop healthier responses to perceived rejection.

• RSD causes intense emotional pain in response to perceived criticism or rejection
• Fear of rejection can lead to avoiding social interactions and difficulty maintaining relationships
• People pleasing behaviours often develop as a protection strategy against potential rejection
• Understanding RSD helps in recognizing when you're experiencing it and chal...

We dive deep into the rollercoaster of ADHD parenting, from school refusal crises to chaotic hospital visits, while also exploring how hormones and PMDD can devastate our mental health.

• Gen shares her daughter's escalating school refusal that culminated in her unlocking school gates and running into traffic
• Dealing with physical aggression and bites from children during meltdowns
• The chaos of managing two children with different needs during a hospital emergency
• Building a healthier relationship with your own ADHD parent as an adult
• Claire discusses her debilitating depression caused by PMDD and perimenopause
• How HRT help...

Claire and Gen discuss Chris Packham's BBC documentary "Inside Our ADHD Minds," sharing how it portrays the lived experience of ADHD through the stories of two individuals with the condition.

• Documentary follows Henry (diagnosed as a child) and Jo (diagnosed late in life) as they create films to help their loved ones understand ADHD
• Henry's film portrayed ADHD as a character bombarding him with distractions, using ball pit balls as metaphors for competing thoughts
• Jo's late diagnosis led to grief and anger about opportunities missed without proper understanding
• We both related deeply to the challeng...

Another dose of our weekly highs and lows, diving into the physical and emotional toll of health struggles, bureaucratic nightmares, and finding unexpected parenting wins.

• Claire discusses her weight loss journey and the exhaustion from medical treatments affecting her productivity and mental health
• Physical health limitations create additional challenges when managing daily tasks and household responsibilities 
• Gen shares a series of bizarre administrative errors where she's "disappeared" from medical systems and appointment records
• The profound impact these errors have on someone with ADHD who already questions their perception of reality
• A parenting win using timer...

We introduce our new feature "Voice Notes from the Edge" where listeners can send us voice messages with questions, stories, or ADHD hacks that we'll respond to on the podcast.

• Our first message comes from a listener who's had her ADHD referral lost in the healthcare system
• She asks whether pursuing diagnosis is worth the uphill battle after experiencing system failures
• We discuss how common it is for paperwork to get lost due to underfunded, overstretched healthcare systems
• When you have undiagnosed ADHD, these failures can trigger deep self-doubt and feelings of personal failure
• We...

Claire's recent recurrent nightmares and a podcast reccomendation have made her want to finally share her deeply personal journey of escaping an abusive relationship decades ago.  We talk around the unique vulnerabilities ADHD women face in toxic partnerships.

• ADHD traits can make individuals more susceptible to manipulation and gaslighting
• Early warning signs of abuse include controlling behavior, isolation from friends and family, and financial control
• Abusive relationships often escalate gradually over years, with physical violence sometimes appearing later
• Nightmares and PTSD symptoms can persist long after leaving an abusive relationship
• Fear of being alone, not...

ADHD diagnosis brings initial relief until the harsh reality sets in – it helps you understand yourself better but doesn't make the struggles disappear. The journey continues with extreme highs and lows, requiring ongoing effort and coping strategies.

• Gen shares that recognizing anxiety as an "unwelcome visitor" rather than part of her identity represents significant growth
• When physical symptoms of anxiety include heightened awareness of your heart and lungs and racing thought patterns 
• Anxiety can trigger awareness of other past mental health issues like eating disorders
• Having neurodivergent friends who truly understand you is invaluable for us ADHD...

We discuss the emotional journey of moving house as a Mum with ADHD, from being stuck in overwhelming clutter to successfully downsizing by 75% into a more functional living space. Frickin WOOOO-HOOOOOOO! YES Claire!!! 

• Setting the ambitious goal to eliminate 75% of possessions despite sentimental attachments and hoarding tendencies
• Discovering the surprising ease with which her teenage son adapted to minimalism after years of collecting
• Processing the emotional grief of letting go of cherished mementos and childhood items
• Confronting the "ADHD tax" - finding multiple duplicates of items purchased when originals couldn't be found
• Managing the overwhe...

This week we explore the balance between global activism and personal challenges, sharing how we navigate feelings of helplessness about world events while managing the daily chaos of ADHD parenthood.

• Claire discusses her journey from feeling helpless about the situation in Palestine to taking action by connecting with local activists
• The importance of boycotting certain products as a tangible way to make a difference
• How Claire's recent job change after 17 years created both anxiety and new opportunities for meaningful engagement
• Gen shares her struggles with household management as a single parent and the physical manifest...

Household management presents unique challenges for mothers with ADHD, from the constant distractions to the repetitive, unrewarding nature of daily tasks. We explore "Overwhelmed Mum Syndrome" and share practical solutions for making our homes more ADHD-friendly.

• Household tasks are particularly difficult for ADHD brains due to lack of structure, constant interruptions, and minimal dopamine rewards
• The gendered division of labour places most household management on women, contributing to the rise in adult female ADHD diagnoses
• Co-regulating with children while managing your own ADHD creates additional emotional labour
• Creating ADHD-friendly systems like bag sorting methods and read...

We share our experiences with dating fatigue, disability discrimination, and finding joy in neuro-divergent spaces while navigating life with ADHD.

• Gen admits reaching dating fatigue and Claire points out how Gen's standards have risen as she's learned more about herself
• Dating with ADHD presents unique challenges including time management and intense connections
• Gen celebrates her current joy in "platonic dating" - developing meaningful friendships from dating connections without romantic expectations
• Claire shares her frustrating experience completing a 21-page handwritten disability form that forced her to relive medical trauma
• Systemic discrimination against people with disabiliti...

We discuss the highs and lows of our weeks, ft:
• Claire's escalating dismay at a furniture company over delayed sofas and turning confrontation into a win
• Finding satisfaction in home organization that creates space for creative projects
• Dealing with a child's escalating school refusal and the emotional complexity as an ADHD parent who relates
• The joy of a weekend getaway for Gen with her band at Whitby Goth Festival
• Learning to celebrate small victories and turn potential lows into unexpected highs

Support the show

Further TW: This podcast references...

We're back after an unexpected 18-month break, and what a whirlwind it's been! Life with ADHD never slows down, and we've both experienced some big changes that have reshaped our day to day completely.

Gen's journey has taken her from co-parenting related job loss to university studies, from a relationship ending to dating adventures, and most significantly, through transformative EMDR therapy that's revolutionized her self-perception. 

Meanwhile, Claire's path has been dominated by health challenges – from employment discrimination due to illness to multiple diagnoses, a significant medical weight loss journey, and the emotional rollercoaster of losing her...

Ever wondered how ADHD affects women juggling a career, parenting, and daily life struggles? Tune in as we are joined by our guest Mellanie, to hear her personal journey of dealing with ADHD in the workplace. Still coming to terms with her late diagnosis, she describes the constant fight to fit into a world that seems so effortlessly managed by others, and the challenges of making a mark in the corporate setup.

She shares how transitioning from office spaces to working from home has significantly affected her productivity and mental health. Mellanie, with her fascinating insights, leads...

Ever found it tough to manage the daily chaos that ADHD throws at you while juggling the trials and tribulations of motherhood? Picture this: You've got an early morning job, and you're trying to navigate getting home in freezing rain, just to arrive home and find your prepayment electricity meter going on strike. 

Support the show

Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol abuse, depression, mood disorders, medical emergency, miscarriage, traffic accidents, grief and loss, teen pregnancy, anxiety, abuse, PDA, low self esteem, and anti-depressant medications, disordered eating, hoarding...

Navigating the workplace can be a minefield, especially when you are living with a disability. But imagine if you had a tool in your arsenal that could provide up to £63,000 per year to help you stay in or return to work?

Well, the UK government's Access to Work scheme apparently does just that.
We talk through through the many ways this fund can potentially be a game-changer for you, from covering your travel expenses to securing a job coach. However, we also highlight some of the stumbling blocks along the way, such as the challenge of f...

What happens when life throws a curveball and you find yourself juggling a sick child, a new job, and a migraine? You grit your teeth through a free full body massage, of course! 

Join us for a chat about our week, that was a mixed bag of highs and lows. Competing with the normal stresses of parenthood, Gen had the excitement of a new job at a spa, but found herself and her youngest child ill on her first day. Claire had a seriously stressful day of trying to get out of the city centre, with a d...

This month we get real about the realities of the working world? Join us on a rollercoaster journey through our eclectic work lives. We'll take you through our work path diversity, from waitressing to wedding photography, discussing the pressures of earning a living when your output changes so significantly from one day to the next.

We touch on how the Liverpool music scene, in which we grew up, bridges dreams with benefits and how even these have diminished under Tory government regimes. 
We delve deeper into the harsher aspects of the workplace. We share the agonies o...

If anyone understands about how ADHD can impact a woman's experience during pregnancy and postnatal care, it's a midwife with ADHD, who has had three pregnancies of her own. Our guest, Laura Spence, The ADHD Midwife, is going to open our eyes to the intricacies of neurodivergence and maternity services. Laura’s incredible journey starts with her own struggles with self-care, friendships, and academic life, leading her to the passionate work she does now. Her commitment to raising awareness about the unique needs of pregnant women with ADHD is totally brilliant. 

Laura doesn’t shy away from shari...

In our highs and lows of the week, we share our struggles with single parenting, co-parenting schedules, and changing households.  We pre-empt our upcoming month's topic, by discussing candidness about disclosing ADHD to potential employers, and the ethical considerations around this. As always, we hope this section will entertain, and also offer a sense of acceptance in those listeners who can relate to the situations we are living through week by week. 

We discuss the interplay between hormones and ADHD, especially how Oestrogen, a key player in regulating dopamine pathways in the brain, can shape this jo...

Imagine being diagnosed with ADHD during your pregnancy. Our guest Ellie lived it and she's here to share the raw and riveting aspects of her journey. Ellie's story isn't just about the struggle; it's about the victories, the support, and the open conversations that make her experiences relatable and inspiring. From Hyperemesis Gravidarium, to figuring out medications, Ellie's narrative is a rollercoaster of emotions, determination, and resilience.  Ellie shares how simple strategies like setting timers on her phone turned into a lifeline in managing her ADHD, and shows the importance of pushing through, even when situations seem daunting. 

Well listeners, you asked for it, so this moth we venture into the world of pregnancy and motherhood through the lens of ADHD. It's a rollercoaster ride - one that can be quite overwhelming for anyone. 

We investigate how ADHD could affect someone's pregnancy journey. We've been there, and we open the dialogue this month by recalling what we can from our own experiences of pregnancy. From the joy, challenges, and reality checks that come with bringing a baby into the world, to the complexities of managing ADHD and depression during pregnancy, we share our personal experiences h...

In todays episode, we chat to the wonderful Rosie Gil Moss of the Widowed AF,  who candidly shares her unique journey to ADHD diagnosis. Rosie's insights into her private diagnosis of both ADHD and autism, offer a fresh perspective on the privileges and limitations of private diagnosis.

Parenting neurodivergent children as neurodivergent adults, can be complex, but it's a shared experience we are lucky enough, yet again, to share with our guest. Rosie navigates the challenges of managing a bustling household with four children, one of whom is Autistic, and others whom she suspects are neurodivergent. She s...

Have you sought diagnosis for ADHD, only to feel completely overwhelmed by the UK's labyrinthine diagnosis pathways? Well, we've been there, felt that, and today we are attempting to break it down a little for you.

Remember the time when you assumed your GP was the only hurdle between you and your ADHD diagnosis? We dive into the gatekeeper role of GPs and the impact of limited resources on the accessibility of the whole process.
Post-Brexit Tory Britain... Don't get us started!

We explore the options, including new 24/7 service Babylon GP (which we thought...

We're back again, with episode 2 of DIAGNOSIS MONTH!

In our weekly HIGHS & LOWS OF THE WEEK section, witness a chaotic complication of balancing independence and responsibility when it comes to money management for children, and ponder the life cycle of a frog!

Our special guest, ADHD coach Michelle, opens up about her own journey with ADHD - from the emotional rollercoaster of seeking a diagnosis to finally finding answers and the relief it brings. We examine the societal expectations that come along with the condition and the struggles of everyday tasks that others often take...

This episode marks the start of ADHD MUMS Diagnosis month.
Seeking diagnosis is too often a rollercoaster ride, a reeeeeeally painfully slow one! Navigating the complications of ADHD diagnosis while balancing the challenges of modern motherhood, that's extra!

In this week's Highs And Lows Of The Week we reflect on the ending of the summer holidays, from the challenges of travel with kids, to the kindness of strangers, and the stresses of the transition to high school.

We then map our own paths to ADHD diagnosis, and discuss the controversial Panorama documentary titled 'Private...

Emma Llewelyn, ADHD mum and content creator, graces us with her presence, sharing her highs and lows of living with ADHD while raising children. 

Find out what got her to where she is, what she loves and loathes about her role as a content creator, the unique challenges and strengths of her long-term ND relationship, and how the struggles of being a parent can take its toll on the ND brain. We discuss the parallels between ADHD and ASD, and the art of masking. 
 
Learn how she manages to produce so much amazingly normalising snippets tha...

In Part 3 of introductions month we continue a candid chat about our personal journeys. As we discuss our life paths so far, we share stories about college and university, jobs, relationships, realising we had ADHD, and becoming mums. We keep it real about the reality of parenting while managing ADHD, from dealing with societal gender expectations to the unique struggles of women with ADHD.
 
This episode looks at the complexities of ADHD female life... becoming ADHD mum life, discussing everything from the challenge of maintaining household routines to  inconsistency with discipline.

Drawing from a study of...

INTERVIEW

Gen and Claire chat to Claire of Mind Vox  and Single Parent Pessimist about mental health, mum guilt, blending families, and the power of apologising to your child.

In their regular feature they discuss their highs and lows of their week as ADHD mums. 

TRIGGER WARNINGS 

This episode references depression, mood disorders, mental illness, anxiety, PDA, anti-depressant medications, therapy, misdiagnosis, trauma, CPTSD, dissociation, sensory processing difficulties, family dispute, 

...