Join parenting coach and mom-in-the-trenches, Penny Williams, as she helps parents, caregivers, and educators harness the realization that we are all beautifully complex and marvelously imperfect. Each week she delivers insights and actionable strategies on parenting neurodivergent kids — those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities... Her approach to decoding behavior while honoring neurodiversity, and parenting the individual child you have will provide you with the tools to help you understand and transform behavior, reduce your own stress, increase parenting confidence, and create the joyful family life you crave. Penny has helped thousands of families worldwide to help their kids feel good so they can do good.

Beautifully Complex

One of the most important things we can do to be successful and effective parents, is to take time for ourselves — time to recharge, rejuvenate, recenter, and reclaim a mindful existence. Parents (especially moms, {wink, wink}) make kids and spouses top priority and only then then consider something for ourselves, if there’s time (there’s never time when you have kids. never. ever.). The oxygen mask theory applies to life though, you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first to be able to do your best for others. That’s a fact! It takes determination and learning to say “no,” but you can take time for yourself. Permission granted. Let's chat more about how important parent self-care is, and how to get time to yourself no matter how hectic your life is.

PAP 004: Neglecting Your Own Self-Care Could Actually Be Making Your Child’s ADHD Behavior Worse

This week's show is the very first for the Parenting ADHD Podcast. {Here we go!} As such, I share my story, why I do what I do, and what you can expect from future shows.

PAP 001: Introduction to the Parenting ADHD Podcast

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, Debbie Reber and I discuss shifting your mindset and tilting your parenting to become the best parent you can be for your differently wired child. Debbie, founder of Tilt Parenting, is passionate about changing the conversation on neurodiversity and differently wired kids from one of being "broken," to being different but having many gifts to share. Listen in as we touch on everything from school struggles to the importance of self-care, and many nuggets of wisdom somewhere in between.

PAP 019: Neurodiversity, Differently Wired Kids, and Tilt Parenting, with Debbie Reber

ADHD Coaching: What is it? Who needs it? How does it work? Does it take the place of medication or therapy? These are common questions, and my interview with John Tucker on this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast will provide answers to all those questions, and more. ADHD coaching can be a powerful tool for teens and young adults, OR for parents of teens and young adults. Please note! This is not just an FAQ about ADHD Coaching. John shares lots of his coaching wisdom and strategies in this episode as well.

PAP 005: Everything You Need to Know About ADHD Coaching, with John Tucker PhD

On this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I talk with Sarah Wayland, PhD, a Consultant and Special Needs Care Navigator, of Guiding Exceptional Parents. Sarah and I have known each other for several years, after meeting at the Happy Mama Retreat. She truly understands kids with ADHD and autism and always offers great insights in informed and compassionate parenting. When my son was struggling with some serious increased anxiety and crisis behaviors about two years ago, Sarah introduced me to the concept of "behavior is communication." It is a profoundly powerful parenting perspective. On this show, Sarah and I discuss what "behavior is communication" means, what behaviors parents see that are actually communicating something else, and how to let this knowledge guide you to more effective parenting for your child with behavioral and/or developmental disorders.

PAP 003: What Your Child’s Behavior Is Actually Telling You, with Sarah Wayland, PhD

On this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I outline all the elements of ADHD outside of the typical diagnostic symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. These additional elements are crucial to your understanding of your child, and to successfully parenting a child with ADHD.

PAP 002: What Doctors Don’t Tell You About ADHD, but Parents Need to Know

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking IEPs and 504 Plans with former teacher and educational advocate, Amanda Morin. We're defining IEPs and 504 plans, and the differences between them. In addition, learn how to determine what services and accommodations your child may need in school, and how to go about securing them. We also answer questions like, should my child come to school meetings? And we're busting some myths around the rights of kids with special needs at school.

PAP 053: IEPs, 504 Plans & School Advocacy, with Amanda Morin

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with occupational and physical therapist, Suzanne Cresswell. Often, kids with ADHD are told to "try harder," especially in school. Suzanne explains the physiology behind how the brain works in an individual with ADHD and challenged learners, which further explains why telling a child with ADHD to "try harder" can't help. This was a truly fascinating conversation for me — I learned a great deal from Suzanne that I hadn't yet learned in 9+ years of obsessing about ADHD and how to help my child. We talk about the role the sensory systems play in neurological function, and the invisible impact it often has for kids with ADHD and learning challenges. How each student acquires knowledge, i.e., learns, is different, but sensory has a huge impact on it. Rhythm is a key component. Let's talk about unique learners!

PAP 021: Unique Learners: Why “Try Harder” Doesn’t Work, with Suzanne Cresswell

Your child has ADHD. Now what do you do? On this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I talk about what your next steps should be after diagnosis, including many things it took me years to discover.

PAP 006: My Child Has ADHD. Now What?

Connection is a fundamental human need, and one that holds an immense amount of power for individuals, even kids. Especially kids. And, when we're talking about kids with ADHD and/or autism, connection is often a struggle — socially or with family members, like parents. Feeling connected to others provides a sense of safety and security. We feel more at ease and less anxious when we feel connected. This means better behavior and a better sense of self and self-worth. I'm joined by Rebecca Brown Wright, creator of the Back-and-Forth Journal, for this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast. Rebecca shares her journey to realizing that connection with her children is more powerful than discipline and correction, and how it improved her kids' behavior. We also discuss how you can build and nurture authentic connections with your kids, too.

PAP 085: How Connection is More Powerful than Correction with Rebecca Brown Wright

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