When your child is bouncing off the walls, ignoring directions, or melting down over something seemingly small, you start asking questions like: “Do we need help?” “Is this ADHD? Or is my kid just being a kid?”
Or worse, “Am I failing as a parent?” Ouch!
Those are tough questions that will either prompt you into action or despair.
I’m here to tell you that taking action is what your child needs. So let’s get you going.
But be careful. The next action you take should be thoughtful. If you’re like most parents, you’ll start with tips and parenting hacks you found on Instagram. You’ll buy books. You’ll call the pediatrician. Maybe you’ll even get a diagnosis. Even ADHD meds. Once you’ve tweaked your routines and listened to all the podcasts, you’ve found a few things that worked, but somehow, nothing has stuck.
And don’t get me started on comparison. Parenting feels like a competitive sport, right? As if everyone but you got the training, and it’s demoralizing to come home and feel like you just can’t score a goal.
That’s where ADHD parent coaching comes in. Not because an ADHD parent coach will hand you a list of magical strategies, but because coaches know how to look at what’s happening in your home. We know how to zoom out, identify your blind spots, and shine a light on what’s gonna work.
Why Cookie-Cutter ADHD Strategies Don’t Work
If there were a set of practical strategies that work for every kid with ADHD, parenting would be a lot easier. You’d read a book, follow the steps, and see change. But for most of the families I work with, that’s not the case.
Parent coaching is for parents who have tried the advice and still feel stuck. That was me when my boys were little. I was riding the roller coaster of trial and error, trying to follow advice that clearly wasn’t meant for my kid. It wasn’t until I hired a coach – and eventually trained to become one – that I realized I needed a different approach.
No one-size-fits-all strategy can account for a child’s unique wiring. That’s why customization is at the heart of the Boy Mom Method and ADHD parent coaching in general.
My Approach to ADHD Parent Coaching
I work with many parents who are raising strong-willed kids that may or may not have a diagnosis. Many of the kids have the following diagnoses or traits that seem similar to these:
- ADHD or suspected ADHD
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- High-functioning autism (ASD Level 1)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Or no diagnosis at all—but the traits are there
Whether your kid has a formal diagnosis or not, let’s not focus on the label. Let’s focus on helping you understand them deeply so that they feel seen, heard, and safe.
Let’s work on shifting things at home so their strengths can shine instead of getting buried under constant correction and redirection.
What if YOU Have ADHD (Or ADHD-ish Traits)?
Parenting is exponentially harder when you have ADHD or ADHD-like tendencies.
Maybe it’s undiagnosed. Maybe it showed up during perimenopause or menopause. Or maybe digital distraction is taking a toll on your focus (seriously, why did I pick up my phone 20 minutes ago and why am I still scrolling?). For many moms I work with, the realization that they also have ADHD comes during the process of trying to help their child.
No shame, no blame. It runs in families. And once we acknowledge it, we can work with it. ADHD coaching can also address your own brain’s strengths and challenges so you can parent in ways that work for you, too.
Does Gender Matter? What Makes ADHD in Boys Different?
If you’re new here, you may not know that I specialize in helping parents raise strong-willed boys. Since ADHD looks different in boys and girls, I’m interested in figuring out how to help according to their gender.
Many behaviors that are typical for boy brains are flagged as disruptive in classrooms that aren’t designed with them in mind. We’re seeing boys medicalized and disciplined for things that are biologically or developmentally expected. That doesn’t mean we ignore real concerns or bad behaviors, but it does mean we need to be fierce advocates for them.
Whether your son has a diagnosis or not, I want the adults in his life, be they parents, teachers, coaches, etc, to understand what boys really need:
- A deep sense of belonging
- To feel seen, heard, and understood
- To be set up for success, not set up to fail
(You can learn more about this in my talk Navigating Boyhood.)
Let’s Reframe ADHD as a Superpower
It’s so common to get stuck in “what’s wrong with my kid” mode. But your kid isn’t broken. He just needs something a little different, and if he thinks otherwise, his confidence will tank. Start talking about ADHD as a superpower at home. If your child isn’t feeling proud of who he is or feels like he can’t change, that might be an even bigger learning disability that needs addressing.
How to address that will vary for every family. That’s where parent coaching helps. We can tailor it to fit your kid, your home, and your values.
FAQs
Q: Should I get an ADHD coach for me or my kid?
It really depends on your situation. If your child is older and open to getting help, a certified ADHD coach might be a great fit for them. But if they’re still young or opposed to therapy/coaching, I’d suggest starting with parent coaching. Adjust how you show up first and see if that makes a difference. If not, your parent coach will help you find a coach for your child.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
Some parents join a group program like The Boy Mom Academy, while others prefer private coaching. Some get what they need in a few sessions, others stick around longer. You get to decide what feels supportive.
Q: What are your credentials?
I’m a certified parent coach through Seattle Pacific University’s Parent Coaching Institute, and I have a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare with a specialization in Children & Family Services from UC Berkeley. I’ve been doing this since 2010 and have three strong-willed boys of my own. I have a deep understanding of what families need to thrive when neurodivergence is part of the picture.