Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

As parents, we have a powerful influence on how our children experience school and learning—even as they get older and become more independent.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny talks about why parent involvement still matters for children with ADHD and other neurodivergent learners, and how to stay connected without taking over.

Parent involvement isn’t about monitoring every grade or managing every assignment. It’s about showing genuine interest in your child’s learning, communicating with teachers, creating supportive routines at home, and helping your child gradually build the confidence and self-advocacy skills they need to become more independent.

Jenny also shares practical ways parents can stay involved throughout the elementary, middle, and high school years—even when volunteering in the classroom is no longer an option.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your attitude toward school and learning can influence your child
• Why parent involvement is about much more than grades
• How staying connected to school can help children feel supported and valued
• Why communication between parents and teachers is so important
• How to share struggles teachers may not see happening at home
• Ways to help older children advocate and communicate with teachers themselves
• How to create a supportive homework and learning environment
• Why routines and structure can make schoolwork feel more manageable
• Simple ways to stay involved in your child’s school community as they get older

The goal isn’t to do school for your child. It’s to create a supportive foundation that helps them build confidence, independence, and a healthier relationship with learning.

Learn more about WeThrive Learning: Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our educational therapy and ADHD student coaching services.

Schedule a Free Consultation: If school, homework, organization, executive functioning, or confidence has become a struggle for your child, schedule a free consultation with our team at WeThriveLearning.com. We’ll learn more about your child and help you determine what kind of support may be the best fit.

👥 Join Our Parent Community: Join our Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for practical strategies, encouragement, resources, and conversations with other parents raising neurodivergent learners.

Navigating an IEP can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure whether your child is actually getting the support they need.

When should you bring in a special education advocate?

When might you need an attorney?

And does bringing outside support into an IEP meeting automatically make things adversarial?

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny talks with Richard Isaacs, owner of California Special Needs Law Group, about how families can advocate more confidently within the special education system.

Richard breaks down the difference between an advocate and an attorney, explains what happens when families need to move beyond the standard IEP process, and shares why parents should not necessarily wait until their child is in crisis before asking for help.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between a special education advocate and attorney
• Why advocates can be helpful even when things are going relatively well
• What parents should monitor after an IEP meeting
• Why services on paper do not always equal effective intervention
• How assessments help clarify a student’s needs
• What compensatory education can mean
• Why special education disputes may take months to resolve
• How collaboration can remain part of strong advocacy
• When it may be time to seek outside support

Richard also shares powerful stories of students whose educational paths changed dramatically once their needs were properly understood and supported.

The biggest takeaway?

You do not have to navigate the IEP process by yourself.

Asking questions early can help you better understand your child’s rights, needs, and options.

Learn more about WeThrive Learning: WeThriveLearning.com

Schedule a free consultation with WeThrive Learning: Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about educational therapy and ADHD/executive-function support.

Join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Learn more about Richard Isaacs and California Special Needs Law Group: CSNLG.com

This episode is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Special education laws and procedures vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Does your teen with ADHD seem like they simply don’t care about school?

Maybe they’re missing assignments, settling for lower grades than they’re capable of, procrastinating until the last minute, or shrugging and saying, “Whatever.”

It’s easy to interpret that behavior as laziness or a lack of motivation.

But there may be much more happening underneath.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny explains why motivation works differently for many teens with ADHD—and why “I don’t care” may actually mean:

• “I’m overwhelmed.”
• “I don’t know where to start.”
• “I’m afraid I can’t catch up.”
• “I’m embarrassed.”
• “I need help but don’t know how to ask.”
• “This is harder for me than you realize.”

You’ll learn why interest, urgency, and positive emotion can influence ADHD engagement, as well as three important ingredients for self-driven motivation: autonomy, competence, and purpose.

Jenny also explains why bribes, rewards, and punishments often produce only short-term results and shares practical coaching questions parents can use instead.

You’ll walk away with strategies for creating conversations that sound less like:

“Why haven’t you done this yet?”

and more like:

“What’s getting in the way, and what would make this feel doable?”

Because the goal isn’t simply getting your teen through tonight’s homework.

It’s helping them learn how to understand themselves, ask for help, make a plan, and eventually manage these challenges independently.

Learn more about WeThrive Learning: WeThriveLearning.com

Schedule a free consultation: Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn how educational therapy and ADHD/executive-function coaching can support your student.

Join our Facebook community: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Does your child seem years ahead in one area and years behind in another?

Maybe they can explain incredibly advanced ideas but forget assignments. Perhaps they can talk endlessly about history, coding, science, or another passion—but struggle socially, emotionally, or academically in ways that don't seem to match their intelligence.

Your child may have what is known as a twice-exceptional, or 2e, profile.

In today's episode, Jenny talks with Sam Young, founder and Head of School at Young Scholars Academy, about what it really means to be twice-exceptional and why these children are so frequently misunderstood.

You'll learn why giftedness and learning differences can coexist, the three ways twice-exceptionality can become masked, and how asynchronous development affects children's academic experiences, friendships, emotional regulation, and confidence.

Sam also explains why constantly focusing on deficits can leave children believing something is wrong with them—and what parents can do instead.

You'll hear practical ideas for:

• Identifying and communicating your child's strengths
• Using interests to build executive-function skills
• Understanding why kids may fall apart after school
• Creating more flexibility around how children learn
• Exploring whether your child may be twice-exceptional
• Building a supportive team around your child
• Helping your child develop a strengths-based identity

The goal isn't to ignore areas where children need support.

It's to make sure their struggles don't become the only story they hear about themselves.

Learn more about WeThrive Learning: WeThriveLearning.com

Schedule a free consultation: Visit WeThriveLearning.com to explore support for your child through educational therapy and ADHD/executive-function coaching.

Join our Facebook community: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Learn more about Sam Young and Young Scholars Academy: YoungScholarsAcademy.org

School pressure. Social pressure. Activities. Friendships. College planning. Family expectations.

For many kids and teens, it can feel like there's always something they should be doing—and for students with ADHD, managing all of those demands can become especially overwhelming.

In this episode, Jenny Drennan breaks down what stress can actually look like in children and teens and shares four practical ways parents can help their child decompress and regulate during busy seasons.

We discuss:

• Signs your child may be more stressed than they realize
• Why procrastination and avoidance may be signs of overwhelm
• How stress and sleep affect executive functioning
• Why ADHD symptoms can become harder to manage during stressful periods
• Physical activity as a stress-management strategy
• Creating an environment that supports decompression
• Creative outlets that help kids process emotions
• Relaxation and reflection strategies
• Helping kids balance academics and extracurriculars
• Reducing social comparison and social-media pressure
• Teaching kids how to say no
• Modeling healthy stress management as a parent

Remember: the goal isn't to remove every stressful experience from your child's life. It's to help them recognize stress, respond to it, and gradually build strategies they can carry into adulthood.

Need additional support?

WeThrive Learning provides virtual one-on-one educational therapy and ADHD/executive-function coaching for students.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation.

And join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for more parent education, resources, and support.

You may hear “parent involvement” and immediately picture volunteering in an elementary classroom or attending every school event.

But involvement can look very different—especially as your child gets older.

In this episode, Jenny talks about the powerful role parents play in shaping their child’s relationship with school and learning. Your child may not always show it, particularly during the teen years, but your interest, attitude, and involvement still matter.

For children with ADHD and other learning differences, staying connected to school can be especially important. Parents may sometimes pull away because communication with teachers has become stressful, their child frequently gets in trouble, or every interaction with school seems to focus on what is going wrong.

Instead, Jenny encourages parents to think of themselves, their child, and their teachers as a team.

You’ll learn how parent involvement can help support:

• School engagement and attendance
• Confidence and self-esteem
• A healthier attitude toward learning
• Stronger parent-teacher relationships
• Better communication between home and school
• Self-advocacy and independence
• More consistent homework and study routines

Jenny also shares practical strategies you can begin using at home, including creating a dedicated learning space, establishing routines, attending school activities when possible, communicating what you’re noticing at home, and gradually helping older children take greater ownership of communication with their teachers.

The goal isn’t to become more involved in every detail of your child’s education.

It’s to stay connected enough that your child knows: their learning matters, their experience matters, and you’re there to support them while they learn how to advocate for themselves.

If your child is avoiding school, becoming overwhelmed by homework, struggling with organization or learning, or experiencing declining confidence, WeThrive Learning may be able to help.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about Educational Therapy and ADHD Student Coaching or to schedule a free consultation.

You can also join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for more strategies and support.

Sometimes the things we do because we love our children—checking, reminding, rescuing, fixing, planning, and protecting—can unintentionally make it harder for them to develop confidence and independence.

For parents who already experience anxiety, raising a child with ADHD can amplify those instincts even more.

In this episode, Jenny discusses how parental anxiety can influence the emotional climate of the home and the way we respond to our children. She shares her own experience seeking support for anxiety and learning to loosen perfectionism, tolerate uncertainty, and become more flexible as a parent.

You'll hear about:

• How children pick up on a parent's stress, tone, and body language
• Why anxiety can sometimes look like micromanaging or over-functioning
• The connection between parental worry and rescuing
• Why repeatedly stepping in can undermine a child's autonomy
• How ADHD can make children especially sensitive to emotional cues
• Why allowing appropriate discomfort and natural consequences matters
• How perfectionism can take away from warmth and connection
• The importance of modeling flexibility and healthy coping skills
• Why getting support for yourself can ultimately support your child
• How to begin shifting from managing everything for your child to helping them develop their own tools

The goal isn't to become a perfectly calm parent. It's to become more aware of when anxiety is driving your parenting decisions and learn healthier ways to respond.

When we work on our own ability to tolerate uncertainty, regulate emotions, and let go of some control, we give our children more opportunities to practice doing the same.

If school, executive-function challenges, ADHD, or learning difficulties are creating significant stress for your child, they may need more than reminders and encouragement.

At WeThrive Learning, our educational therapists and ADHD/executive-function coaches work one-on-one with students to help them develop the skills they need to approach learning with greater independence and confidence.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation call so we can talk about what's happening with your child and what type of support may be most helpful.

You can also join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for practical strategies and conversations with other parents navigating ADHD.

Why can a child with ADHD make friends but have a much harder time keeping them?

Friendships require far more executive function than we sometimes realize. Reading social cues, taking turns in conversations, remembering to respond to texts, making plans, handling changes, managing disappointment, and understanding someone else’s perspective can all be challenging for children and teens with ADHD.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny breaks down some of the reasons social situations can feel difficult for kids with ADHD and shares practical ways parents can help build these skills without making every interaction feel like a correction.

You’ll learn how to use modeling, perspective-taking, role-playing, teacher collaboration, and everyday social opportunities to help your child better understand themselves and others.

We also discuss an important reminder for parents: your child doesn’t need 20 friends to be socially successful. One or two meaningful, supportive friendships may be exactly what fills their cup.

• Why maintaining friendships can be difficult for children with ADHD
• How executive functioning affects social skills
• Why kids with ADHD may misinterpret social cues or other people’s intentions
• The connection between emotional regulation and friendship challenges
• How to address interruptions without shaming your child
• Ways to practice perspective-taking
• Why difficult conversations are often better revisited later
• How role-playing can prepare kids for social situations
• Ways teachers can support your child socially
• How to create natural opportunities to practice friendship skills
• Why quality friendships matter more than popularity

If your child is struggling with ADHD, executive functioning, motivation, organization, learning, or becoming more independent at school and at home, WeThrive Learning provides individualized support for neurodivergent students.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation.

And join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for ongoing strategies and support for raising a child with ADHD.

Does your child become defensive, angry, tearful, or overwhelmed whenever you offer feedback even when you are trying to be gentle?

Children with ADHD often experience more correction, redirection, and reminders than their peers. Over time, they may begin expecting criticism, which can make even small comments feel like rejection or personal failure.

In this episode, Jenny explains why criticism can feel so intense for children and teens with ADHD. She discusses rejection sensitivity, emotional flooding, extreme self-talk, and the difficulty some children have separating their behavior from their identity.

You will also hear practical ways to reduce conflict and help your child receive feedback without feeling ashamed or attacked.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why children with ADHD may experience feedback as a threat
• How rejection sensitivity can appear at home and at school
• Why children use phrases such as “I never do anything right”
• How emotional flooding affects reflection and problem-solving
• Why tone, timing, and connection matter
• How to replace criticism with curiosity-based coaching
• What it means to connect before you correct
• How to become your child’s coach rather than the referee of every mistake

When children feel connected, supported, and emotionally safe, they are better able to reflect, learn, and build the skills they need.

Learn more about WeThrive Learning and schedule a free consultation at WeThriveLearning.com.

You can also join our Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence, for additional strategies, encouragement, and support.

The transition back to school can feel exciting, overwhelming, and unpredictable—sometimes all at once.

For children and teens with ADHD, a new school year may bring changes in routines, teachers, expectations, friendships, transportation, homework, and extracurricular activities. These changes can increase anxiety and make it harder for students to manage time, emotions, and responsibilities.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny Drennan, founder of WeThrive Learning, shares five practical strategies families can use to create a smoother back-to-school transition.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build predictable morning and evening routines
• Review schedules so your child knows what to expect
• Communicate effectively with teachers
• Help your child visualize and manage time
• Review school or college accommodations
• Create space for conversations about anxiety and big emotions

These strategies are designed to reduce overwhelm while helping children become more confident, prepared, and independent.

WeThrive Learning provides individualized educational therapy and ADHD and executive-function coaching for students from fourth grade through college.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation call with Jenny.

You can also join the Facebook group Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence! for practical strategies, encouragement, and support.

Your child understands the assignment.

They know the answer.

They may even be one of the strongest thinkers in the room—but they still need significantly more time to respond or finish their work.

That is the reality for many children with slow processing speed.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny explains:

✨ What slow processing speed actually means ✨ Why it has nothing to do with intelligence ✨ Signs parents may notice at home ✨ Why children often fall apart after school ✨ Helpful accommodations and home strategies ✨ How to reduce rushing, frustration, and conflict

Your child may not need to “try harder” or move faster. They may need an environment that gives their brain enough time to show what it knows.

Listen to the full episode and learn more about individualized student support at WeThriveLearning.com.

Schedule a free consultation or join our free parent Facebook group Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence! for more support!

Why does my child keep lying—even when I already know the truth?

For many parents, lying can feel personal. It can leave you frustrated, worried, and questioning whether you can trust your child.

But what if the lie is only part of the story?

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny Drennan explores the reasons children and teens lie and why understanding what is happening underneath the behavior can completely change how parents respond.

For children with ADHD and executive function challenges, impulsivity, working memory difficulties, shame, and fear of disappointing others may all play a role. Teens may also lie as they test boundaries, seek independence, navigate peer pressure, or try to protect their social relationships.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✨ Why lying can be a normal part of child and adolescent development

✨ How impulsivity and ADHD may contribute to dishonesty

✨ Why a child may genuinely plan to complete a task—even when they haven't done it yet

✨ How shame and fear of punishment can make children more likely to hide the truth

✨ Why parents sometimes unintentionally “invite the lie”

✨ How peer pressure, independence, and low self-esteem may influence dishonesty

✨ What parents can do to create a safer environment for truth-telling

✨ Why praising honesty can help encourage future honesty

The goal isn't to ignore lying or remove expectations around honesty.

It's to become curious about what is driving the behavior so you can address the actual problem—not just react to the lie.

🎧 Listen now to better understand why your child may be lying and learn how to build more honesty and trust in your relationship.

Need additional support for your child?

WeThrive Learning provides educational therapy, executive function coaching, and ADHD coaching for students with ADHD, learning differences, and executive functioning challenges.

🌐 Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation.

💬 Join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for more practical conversations and strategies for parenting children with ADHD.

Is your child constantly comparing themselves to other kids, feeling discouraged by school, or questioning their own abilities?

For many children with ADHD, executive function challenges, and learning differences, everyday struggles can slowly impact how they see themselves. When learning feels harder, organization feels overwhelming, or mistakes seem bigger than they are, self-esteem can take a hit.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny Drennan shares three research-backed ways parents can help strengthen their child's self-esteem through everyday interactions.

You'll learn:

✨ Why connection is the foundation of your child's self-esteem

✨ How giving your child undivided attention can help them feel seen, heard, and valued

✨ Why parents should normalize struggle instead of quickly rescuing or fixing

✨ How allowing children to problem-solve builds confidence and resilience

✨ Why praising effort, persistence, and strategies can be more powerful than praising grades or talent

Jenny also explores subtle ways parents may unintentionally chip away at a child's confidence—from constantly asking about grades to jumping in too quickly when something feels hard.

The goal isn't perfect parenting. Small shifts in how we connect, respond to mistakes, and talk about effort can help children begin to see themselves differently.

🎧 Listen now and discover three simple ways to help your child build confidence from the inside out.

Need more support for your child?

WeThrive Learning provides educational therapy, executive function coaching, and ADHD coaching for students with ADHD, learning differences, and executive functioning challenges.

🌐 Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation.

💬 Join our Facebook community, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for additional tools, conversations, and support for parenting children with ADHD.

Helping your ADHD child keep their room clean can feel like a never-ending battle. Clothes end up on the floor, trash collects on the desk, school papers disappear, and even when you help organize everything, the room may look messy again a week later.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny shares a compassionate, practical way to help your child build organization skills without constant nagging or power struggles.

You’ll learn why kids with ADHD often struggle with organization, how working memory and visual-spatial skills can affect their ability to maintain a clean space, and why rewards alone usually do not create long-term habits. Most importantly, Jenny walks through a step-by-step process parents can use to help their child take ownership of their room or workspace.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why organization is a learnable skill

• How to empathize with your child before problem-solving

• Why your definition of “clean” may be different from your child’s

• How to get your child’s buy-in

• Why starting small matters

• How to help your child choose an organization strategy

• How to decide when organization will happen

• What kind of support your child may actually need from you

• How to reflect and adjust when a system is not working

Parent takeaway: Your child does not need a perfect room. They need a system that works for their brain, their developmental stage, and your family.

If your child has ADHD, executive function challenges, or struggles with organization, planning, follow-through, or school routines, WeThrive Learning can help.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation call.

You can also join our free Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, for more parent support, strategies, and encouragement.

In this episode, we sit down with Cassy Espinosa, Director of Admissions at Fusion Academy Newport Beach and Anaheim Hills, to talk about what personalized one-to-one education can look like for middle and high school students.

Cassy shares how Fusion’s flexible model supports students who may be struggling with school anxiety, executive functioning, learning differences, social-emotional challenges, or simply need a more customized academic path. We also discuss common misconceptions about alternative school models, including concerns about socialization, college readiness, and transitioning back into larger learning environments.

As both an education professional and a parent of a child who has needed accommodations and support, Cassy brings a thoughtful perspective on balancing academic expectations with student well-being. This conversation is a helpful listen for families wondering whether their child’s current school environment is truly meeting their needs — and what options may be available when it is not.

For more support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation, or join our Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Are you constantly reminding your child to start homework, pack their backpack, email their teacher, or stay on top of responsibilities?

Many parents of ADHD kids feel like everything will fall through the cracks if they are not managing every detail. But while micromanaging often comes from love and worry, it can unintentionally keep kids from building the independence, confidence, and executive functioning skills they need.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny talks about why parents micromanage, how it affects kids, and what to do instead.

You’ll learn why micromanaging can reduce a child’s motivation, increase anxiety, and limit opportunities to practice problem-solving. Jenny also shares practical strategies parents can use at home to step back without abandoning support.

In this episode, we discuss:

- How micromanaging can become a way to reduce parent anxiety - Why kids need opportunities to make decisions and experience safe natural consequences - How micromanaging impacts executive functioning, motivation, and confidence - The connection between autonomy and internal motivation - Why learned helplessness can develop when kids are constantly monitored - How to use open-ended questions to build problem-solving skills - How to scaffold independence without completely letting go

Parenting an ADHD child does not mean stepping away and hoping they figure it out. It means learning how to provide the right amount of support while giving your child room to practice, make mistakes, reflect, and grow.

For more support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation, or join our Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Does your child know they matter to you beyond their grades, behavior, achievements, or performance?

As parents, we love our children deeply. But sometimes, without meaning to, we can send subtle messages that make kids feel like their worth is tied to how well they perform, how much they accomplish, or whether they meet our expectations.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, Jenny talks about seven ways to help your child feel like they truly matter.

This conversation is especially important for parents of children with ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, or perfectionistic tendencies. When children feel pressure to be perfect, perform well, or constantly meet expectations, they may begin to feel anxious, lonely, defensive, or disconnected. They may also start to believe that love and approval are connected to achievement.

Jenny explores how parents can shift the focus away from performance and toward connection, contribution, effort, and identity. She also shares practical ways to help your child feel seen, valued, appreciated, needed, and loved for who they are.

In this episode, we discuss:

- How parent expectations can affect a child’s sense of worth - Why redirection can sometimes feel like rejection to kids - How perfectionism and pressure impact emotional health - Why children need to feel valued beyond achievement - How chores and contribution build confidence and belonging - Seven practical ways to help your child feel like they matter - How to strengthen connection with your child in simple, everyday moments

Your child does not need to be perfect to be worthy of love, attention, and belonging. Small moments of connection, appreciation, and recognition can help them feel deeply valued and secure.

For more support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation, or join our Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Chores can be a powerful way for kids with ADHD to build responsibility, confidence, independence, and executive function skills—but getting them to follow through can feel frustrating for parents.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we’re talking about why chores can feel so overwhelming for ADHD brains and how parents can make daily responsibilities feel more doable. You’ll learn how to break chores into micro-steps, use visual supports, offer choices, add novelty, and reduce the reminder loop at home.

Whether your child is a preteen, teen, or young adult, these practical strategies can help chores become less stressful and more collaborative.

For more ADHD parenting support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation, or join our free Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Teacher report card comments can sometimes feel vague, confusing, or even discouraging — especially when you see phrases like “struggles to stay focused,” “makes careless mistakes,” or “isn’t working to full potential.”

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we’re helping parents decode common teacher comments that may point to underlying ADHD, executive function challenges, or learning differences. These comments do not automatically mean your child has ADHD, but they can help you notice patterns, ask better questions, and advocate for the support your child may need.

You’ll learn what common report card phrases may actually signal, how to reframe them through a more compassionate ADHD-informed lens, and what steps to take next if you’re noticing similar patterns at home and school.

For more support with ADHD, executive functioning, learning differences, or academic confidence, visit WeThriveLearning.com or schedule a free consultation with WeThrive Learning.

For more information, join our Facebook group Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

The teen years can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, especially when you are parenting a child with ADHD, executive function challenges, or learning differences. Your teen may seem like they do not want your help, advice, or connection, but the truth is: your relationship still matters deeply.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we’re talking about why the teenage years are such a delicate and important developmental stage, and how parents can stay connected without creating more resistance. You’ll learn six practical strategies to strengthen your relationship, reduce defensiveness, and support your teen’s growing independence.

If your teen is struggling with school, motivation, executive functioning, emotional regulation, or learning differences, WeThrive Learning can help. Visit WeThriveLearning.com or schedule a free consultation to learn more about our educational therapy and executive function coaching support.

For more information, join our Facebook group Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Summer can be a much-needed reset for kids, especially children with ADHD, learning differences, or executive function challenges. But how do parents balance rest, structure, social connection, and learning without creating an overscheduled, stressful summer?

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we’re sharing three practical ways to make the most of the summer months while helping your child recharge, build confidence, strengthen executive function skills, and feel more prepared for the next school year.

You’ll learn how to create flexible routines, prioritize social connection, and keep learning engaging without pressure or burnout.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our ADHD, executive function, academic coaching, and learning support services, or schedule a free consultation call to see how we can support your child this summer. Want to connect with other parents and get your questions answered? Join our free Facebook group, Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Is your child constantly forgetting their backpack, losing papers, leaving clothes everywhere, or struggling to follow through with simple organization tasks? You are not alone — and your child is not trying to frustrate you.

In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we’re sharing seven creative, practical, and ADHD-friendly organization strategies that help kids build independence, strengthen executive function skills, and reduce daily power struggles at home.

You’ll learn how to make organization more visual, specific, collaborative, and sustainable — without overwhelming your child or yourself. These strategies are especially helpful for neurodivergent learners, kids with ADHD, and any child who struggles with working memory, follow-through, routines, or clutter.

For more resources and support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation, or join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Spring can be a tricky season for kids with ADHD. After spring break, many students feel checked out, tired, and ready for summer, but this is often the time when school demands increase.

In this episode, we’re sharing four effective ways to help your child reset for the last quarter of the school year so they can finish with more momentum, confidence, and calm.

You’ll learn how to help your child:

• Recognize what’s already working
• Reconnect with motivation in a meaningful way
• Break large projects into smaller, doable steps
• Create routines that fit the spring season

Instead of focusing only on what needs to be fixed, this episode invites parents to take a strengths-based approach that builds self-awareness, resilience, and executive function skills.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Big emotions can feel overwhelming—for kids and for parents.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges families face: emotional regulation. If your child seems to go from calm to explosive in a matter of seconds, you are not alone. Many parents feel like they’re constantly walking on eggshells, unsure of what might trigger the next outburst.

The good news is that emotional regulation is a skill—and skills can be supported, modeled, and strengthened over time.

In this conversation, we break down why children and teens are more vulnerable to intense emotional reactions, what it means to respond instead of react, and how your own calm can become one of the most powerful tools in your parenting toolbox. We also explore the idea of becoming a non-anxious presence—someone who stays grounded, compassionate, and steady even when emotions are running high.

When children feel safe, they are more likely to open up, trust you, and begin building the emotional resilience they need for life.

• Why emotional regulation is still developing in children and teens
• How the emotional brain can overpower reasoning in stressful moments
• Why your child mirrors your tone, body language, and emotional energy
• What it means to be a non-anxious presence
• How calm helps create a more connected, secure home environment
• Practical ways to prepare yourself for difficult conversations
• Why your own self-care is essential to your child’s growth

The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Does your child struggle with organization, routines, or remembering basic tasks and you are not sure how to help without constant reminders, frustration, or doing it all for them?

If your child constantly forgets where things go, struggles to pack up for school, or becomes overwhelmed by simple routines, you are not alone.

In this episode, we are walking through 7 unique organization strategies that can help your child build executive functioning skills in a way that feels doable, collaborative, and encouraging.

We talk about why many kids with ADHD are not being defiant when they seem disorganized, how vague instructions can create confusion, and why parents often need to shift from telling to collaborating. You will also hear simple ways to use routines, visuals, decluttering, and open-ended questions to build more independence over time.

This episode is full of warm, practical guidance for parents who want to support organization skills without shame, punishment, or constant conflict.

• Why disorganization is often rooted in executive function challenges, not laziness
• How to make instructions more concrete and easier for kids to follow
• Why asking “how” questions helps build problem-solving skills
• The power of family routines and seasonal decluttering
• Why “less is more” is often the best organization strategy for ADHD kids
• How your own stress and emotional state impacts implementation
• Why visuals can make organization easier and more sustainable

Learn more at WeThriveLearning.com Schedule a free consultation: WeThriveLearning.com/consultations Join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence

How can parents support career exploration without taking over? In this episode, we’re joined by educational and career consultant Diane Geller to talk about how parents can help young adults find their path with confidence, curiosity, and increasing independence. We explore why today’s road to adulthood looks different than it did for past generations, what neurodivergent young adults may need along the way, and how parents can shift from problem-solver to steady source of support.

You’ll also hear practical guidance on building real-world experience, helping young adults tell their story, and focusing on growth over perfection. This conversation is full of reassurance and actionable insight for parents raising teens and young adults who are still figuring out what comes next.

For more information, use this link to check out Diane's website: https://gellerandassociates.com/services-diane-geller/ Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Looking for simple ways to build executive function skills in kids during Spring Break? In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we share practical, parent-friendly strategies to help children strengthen important life skills like planning, organization, time management, impulse control, and decision-making in a natural, low-pressure way.

You’ll learn how Spring Break can be the perfect time to help your child practice executive functioning through everyday activities like planning an outing, completing a project, and managing money. These strategies are especially helpful for children with ADHD and other neurodiverse learners who need extra support with independence, follow-through, and self-regulation.

If you want to help your child grow their executive function skills while still enjoying a fun and flexible break, this episode is packed with simple ideas you can start using right away.

Learn more about our ADHD and executive function coaching services at https://wethrivelearning.com.

Depression in teens is rising — and for children with ADHD and learning differences, the emotional weight can feel even heavier.

If your teen seems withdrawn, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or constantly stressed about school, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening beneath the surface.

We explore the connection between ADHD, academic pressure, loneliness, and depression — and why many teens today feel disconnected despite being more “connected” than ever online. You’ll learn why external achievements like grades and college admissions don’t create lasting happiness, and what actually does: meaningful relationships, personal growth, belonging, and purpose.

You’ll also walk away with practical, strengths-based strategies to:

• Reduce performance pressure at home

• Foster emotional safety and unconditional support

• Help your teen discover their values

• Encourage healthy coping and resilience

• Create more connection and less conflict

If you are parenting a teen with ADHD who seems discouraged or burned out, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and hope.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to schedule a free consultation or join our supportive parent communit

When your child is dysregulated, it’s so easy to react… and blurt out a punishment you don’t even want to enforce. In this episode, we break down the difference between punishments and consequences—and why this distinction matters even more for kids and teens with ADHD. You’ll learn how consequences (natural + logical) can reduce power struggles, protect your relationship, and teach real-life skills like decision-making, responsibility, and self-management.

You’ll also hear practical steps to implement consequences at home: communicate + collaborate + be consistent, plus how to show empathy while still holding boundaries.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

What if some of the support your child with ADHD needs could start with what’s on their plate?

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Langley, an integrative psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder/co-owner of Child Kind Psychiatry in Beverly Hills. Sarah specializes in nutritional psychiatry for kids and teens—supporting ADHD, anxiety, depression, and more with a balanced, whole-child approach that can include nutrition, supplements, lifestyle changes, therapy supports, and (when appropriate) medication.

We talk about the powerful connection between the gut and the brain, and how the “building blocks” from food can impact mood, focus, emotional regulation, sleep, and day-to-day functioning. Sarah also walks us through what an integrative ADHD treatment plan can look like from foundational habits like sleep and movement to supplements she commonly considers (like magnesium, omega-3s, and probiotics) and how families decide whether medication, holistic strategies, or a combination makes the most sense.

You’ll also hear one of the biggest dietary changes that research suggests can make a meaningful difference for some kids with ADHD—plus what parents should look for when choosing supplements in a market that can feel overwhelming.

If you’re parenting a child with ADHD (or honestly, any child navigating the stress of modern life), this conversation will leave you feeling more informed, more empowered, and more clear on what “holistic support” can actually look like in real life.

In this episode, we cover:

• How nutrition can influence brain chemistry, focus, and behavior

• The gut-brain connection (and why it matters for mood)

• Supplements Sarah often considers for ADHD support

• When medication can be helpful—and when families may start with holistic changes

• What an integrative plan can include: sleep, exercise, therapy, school supports, and structure

• A research-backed “remove this first” ingredient some families overlook

• How to choose safer, higher-quality supplements

Connect with Sarah: Learn more about Sarah’s work and resources through her practice, Child Kind Psychiatry (Beverly Hills, CA). 

Have you ever thought, “My child just doesn’t listen to me!!”? We have been there and know how frustrating that can feel. What if listening struggles aren’t about defiance or disrespect at all?

In this episode, we unpack what’s really happening when kids seem to ignore us. You’ll learn how attention, working memory, auditory processing, energy, and emotional regulation all play a role, especially for neurodivergent kids. We’ll also walk through seven common reasons children struggle to listen and share practical, compassionate strategies you can use to reduce power struggles and strengthen connection.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why children are rarely being intentionally defiant

• The difference between hearing and listening

• How distraction, working memory, and auditory processing impact follow-through

• Why sleep, hunger, stress, and energy matter more than we think

• How to respond instead of react

• Simple strategies to help your child actually process what you’re saying

If this episode resonated with you, we would love to stay connected!

• Visit WeThriveLearning.com

• Schedule a free consultation call

• Join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

In this episode, we take a deep—and necessary—look at what’s happening to our children’s mental health in the age of smartphones and social media. Using current research and insights from The Anxious Generation, we explore the alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and emotional distress among kids and teens—and why this shift began in the early 2010s with the widespread adoption of smartphones.

We break down the data parents need to know, including sharp increases in anxiety among college students, emergency room visits for girls, and rising diagnoses among boys—challenging the assumption that this crisis only affects girls. We talk honestly about how technology has reshaped childhood, reduced free play, limited independence, and increased emotional vulnerability, while also examining the role we as adults play through modeling and overprotection.

This episode also explores how social media platforms are engineered to be addictive, how comparison culture impacts self-esteem (especially for teen girls), and why kids can feel more connected than ever—yet lonelier than ever. We discuss the paradox of protecting kids in the physical world while unintentionally exposing them to greater risks online.

Most importantly, we share practical, realistic steps parents can take to support their children: reintroducing free play, setting healthy boundaries around technology, modeling balanced screen use, and helping kids understand how algorithms are designed to hook them—so they can reclaim their autonomy.

Learn more about our one-on-one educational therapy and ADHD coaching support, or schedule a call with us at: 👉 https://www.wethrivelearning.com

In this episode, we’re diving deep into executive function skills—what they are, why your child may struggle with them, and how you can support their development in ways that feel natural, supportive, and empowering (not like another lesson or lecture).

We break down the core executive function skills—like planning, emotional regulation, self-control, flexibility, and self-awareness—and explain how they show up in everyday life for kids and teens, especially those with ADHD or learning differences. You’ll learn why executive function skills take longer to develop, how brain development plays a role, and why struggles with time management, organization, impulse control, and follow-through are not a lack of effort or motivation.

We also share real-life examples from our coaching work, common signs your child may need support, and practical strategies you can start using at home—like collaborative problem-solving, positive reinforcement, routines, and asking powerful coaching questions that build independence and confidence.

You’ll hear what truly effective executive function support looks like, why “just teaching a planner” isn’t enough, and how coaching can help your child build skills that last well beyond school.

If you’re feeling frustrated, worried, or unsure how to help your child—and want guidance that’s strengths-based, compassionate, and grounded in real results—this episode is for you.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

If you’ve ever wondered why your child seems capable but still struggles with things like getting started, staying organized, managing emotions, or following through, this episode is for you.

Executive function skills are often talked about as a “buzzword,” but behind that term is a powerful explanation for many of the challenges children with ADHD and learning differences face every day. In this episode, we break down executive function skills in a clear, compassionate, and parent-friendly way—without jargon or blame.

You’ll learn:

• What executive function skills really are (and why they matter more than IQ)

• Why kids with ADHD aren’t lazy, careless, or unmotivated—despite how it may look

• How brain development impacts planning, time management, emotional regulation, and follow-through

• Why the teen years can feel especially intense for kids with ADHD

• How procrastination is often about avoiding uncomfortable feelings—not defiance

• What parents can do to support these skills without micromanaging or shaming

Most importantly, this episode will help you shift from frustration to understanding so you can respond to your child with more compassion, clarity, and confidence. Executive function challenges are a skill delay, not a character flaw and with the right support, these skills can be strengthened over time.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to help your child become more independent, this conversation will give you a new lens and practical hope. Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Many parents know their child is bright but struggling and aren’t sure what kind of support truly fits. In this episode, we break down what educational therapy is, how it’s different from tutoring, IEPs, or 504 supports, and how to know whether your child might benefit.

You’ll learn how educational therapists are specially trained to understand how children learn, not just what they’re learning. We explore how educational therapy addresses the root causes of learning challenges by integrating academic skill-building with executive function support, learning strategies, and emotional regulation—all grounded in neuroscience and educational research.

We’ll also cover:

• How educational therapy differs from tutoring and school-based accommodations

• Common signs a child may benefit, including ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, and school avoidance

• Why early, targeted support can prevent long-term academic and emotional struggles

• How educational therapy builds confidence, independence, and self-advocacy

• What educational therapy looks like in practice and who it’s designed to support

If homework feels like a nightly battle, your child is working much harder than their peers, or their confidence around learning is slipping, this episode will help you better understand your options—and feel empowered to choose the right support.

Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

In this introductory episode, educational therapist and ADHD coach Jenny Drennan shares why Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence was created and what families can expect from the podcast. Jenny explains who this show is for, the topics we’ll cover, and how evidence-based strategies, expert insights, and real-life experiences will help parents better understand ADHD, reduce power struggles, and build stronger parent-child relationships. If parenting a child with ADHD or learning differences feels overwhelming or isolating, this podcast is here to support you one practical, hopeful conversation at a time.  Visit WeThriveLearning.com to learn more about our services, schedule a free consultation, and get the support your family needs. You can also join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!