Journey With Me Through ADHD: A podcast for kids

Latest Episodes:

What Does My Brain Need? Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Our ADHD brains can feel tricky sometimes. There are times where it feels so chaotic up there that a lot of time behavior follows suit and matching the wild ride of our thoughts and emotions. In these moments of mental overwhelm, we need to PRACTICE pausing and asking ourselves, "what does my brain and body need right now!?"

In this episode, you will start by hearing a joke from my friend, who is also an ADHD warrior! Sometimes your brain needs a little laughter! Next, we will talk about how we can ask ourselves this question and then explore different ways to help our mind and body find it's calm so that our emotional brain can rest and our thinking brain can help us make better choices with both words and actions!

As you can contiue to practice the PAUSE, which takes a lot of practice and consistency, I introduce some self talk strategies that will help you get to a better place before reacting to a highly emotional situation!

PRACTICE..."I will be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to get angry." Again, it's never perfect, but with practice you can improve and become more mindful as you learn and grow through different triggers!

Check out my website at www.katelynmabry.com for more resources, to get on my email list to receive one email a week with latest episode and added tips! You can also go to www.focusforwardadhd.com to set up a free coaching consultation and discover if that could be the right next step for you and your child!

We are on this journey together!! Have a great week! You are all loved and appreciated!

3 Steps to Battle Blurting Out Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

AHHH! This can be such a tricky thing to do! Let's first discover WHY we have such a tendance to blurt out answers, thoughts, and feelings often at inappropriate times!?

Struggle with impluse control
We are afraid we are going to forget what we want to say!
Struggle to prioritize time and place.
The emotions hijack the thinking part of the brain and blurting is driven by emotion rather than intentional thought!

Knowing the why helps trusted adults respond to the struggle vs. treating it just as a problem to punish.

In this episode, you will hear from my buddy Isaac (9 years old) who shares his own struggle with blurting out in school and gives some tips and tools that have been working well for him to grow in this area! The three things he suggests are using "calm strips, squishy balls, and practice self-talk" as methods of keeping his hands busy while he waits for his turn to speak and the fidgeting allows for better concentration on the lesson as a whole!

I follow up Isaac sharing with three things to practice in preparation for those moments when you want to blurt out in class or in other social situations....

Anticipate: Become more self-aware of the times/patterns of blurting!
Prepare a plan: Once you can start anticipating when the blurting often occurs, you can then put a plan in place to practice leading up to those times!
Practice using the tools and techniques that work best for your brain! For Isaac, he found the calm strips, squishy balls, and self-talk helpful...BUT for you those tools may look different! Here are a few more to try...

Doodle pad
Different types of fidgets (ie: jewelry, gum, quiet and stretchy (may need to be a little more durable so they dont break so easily as you put all that tension on it!)
Alternate seating (wabble chair, ball chair, standing during lesson, band on legs of chair, etc.
Take movement breaks when possible

I would love for you to message me with what works well for you!! This is where you want to channel that creativity and ask yourself, "what does my ADHD brain need!?"

Would you or your child like to send in an audioclip to share on a future podcast episode!? We would love to hear from them!! Email me at katelynmabry4@gmail.com to learn more or just send me an authentic audioclip sharing about struggles, strengths or any other insights about living with and ADHD brain! Kids LOVE hearing from other kids and so do I!!!

Get on my email list at www.katelynmabry.com to get these episoded delivered directly to your inbox each Friday with added resources! You can also go to www.focusforwardadhd.com if you want to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what hiring an ADHD life coach would look like!

Can't wait to be with you again next week! Love you all! ~ Katelyn

No Shame in My ADHD Game! Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

This title came to me as I was working out at the gym today and so did the silly rap I decided to record at the beginning of this episode;) Too often shame is something that is tied to getting an ADHD diagnosis! Let's get rid of that ASAP!!

ADHD can feel like a game sometimes, doesn't it!? Trying to figure out how to play, what move to make, which tool/piece to use, and there is always strategy to figure out too!! One card that we need to make sure is not a part of our game is SHAME! This is a very intense emotion, often triggered by those fixed thoughts we talk about!

As ADHD warriors we can combat ways in different ways...Here are 5 ways that will hopefully help lead you down a path of progress from shame to shining your beautiful bright light!

1. Bring any shame thoughts/feeling into the light/ share with trusted adult/friend.

2. Unravel and pick apart shameful feelings to compare it to what is true!

3. Detach what you do from who you are! What do you place your identity in!?

4. Recognize triggers...What are your shame triggers? When you identify those triggers, then you can put them to rest.

5. CONNECT with others! Shame often occers when feeling disconnected, so do the opposite and intentially connect with those you love and trust.

When you throw away the card of shame...you can play the card of confidence, the card of self- compassion, and the card of caring for others! That sounds like a pretty awesome game!!

Hop on my email list when you go to my website www.katelynmabry.com so you can get the latest podcast episode right in your inbox each Friday! I also add some more fun resources on there too!Wohoo! Message me if you want to submit an audio and be a star on an upcoming episode!!

You can book a free coaching consultation at www.focusforwardadhd.com. We can get rid of your shame card together!

Love you all!

I used this article below as a reference and guide while applying it to living with shame as an ADHD warrior!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201501/5-ways-silence-shame

The Power of Chores Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

CHORES...AHHHH! It has become such a bad word that kids are only motivated to do through incentives and money making. This is where I want to challenge you to make a mindset shift!

Instead of chores being a bummer, what if we look at them as an opportunity!?

An opportunity to grow confidence and self-esteem

An opportunity to feel more independent

An opportunity to learn life skills for your future

An opportunity to develop good habits

Gaining all of these things through this opportunity will allow you to live in a space that will make your mind happy. One thing we know is that our brain craves a clear space, but we have a hard time creating it!! Our struggle with executive function skills makes it tricky to get started, stay motivated, prioritize, organize, task switch, and simply finish the chore at hand!

This is where we need a PLAN! Ask yourself, "what does my brain need to be successful!?"

1. BREAK chores down (Just like all other things...ONE step at a time and celebrate that success)

2. Embed motivational tools (music, a preferred task to look forward to, make it novel and fun)

3. Create a checklist or post-it system to stay on track (this is an added tip that is not included in this episode as I'm thinking about as I publish this ;)

You will also hear from Tate, who is one of my coaching clients. He was so nervous, but "did something hard" and was so brave to share his "power of chore" experience with you all! I would love to hear from more of you too! Go to www.katelynmabry.com to get on my mailing list to recieve weekly episodes with added tips, and this is where you can email me with topic ideas, audio clips, and I would just love to hear how this podcast is helpful to you!

Love and appreciate each and every one of you!!

Let's FOCUS on Connections- Interview with Angie Grandt (SLP & Parent Coach) Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

When we hear "you need to focus" that sends chills up your spine, doesn't it!? It sure does mine! Oh how I wish it were that easy! But in this episode you will be introduced to the word "FOCUS" in a whole new light as we see it through the lens of helping us connect with others in different environments!

Do you find it hard to connect sometimes? Whether it's an interaction with peers, connecting with trusted adults, or even having positive interactions with siblings at home...these can all feel a little harder due to the fact that social interactions often need some work when we live with and ADHD brain and that's OK! We all need work on areas of our lives!

In this episode you will meet Speech Language Pathologist and Parent Coach Angie Grandt who shares with us how to use this FOCUS accronym as a helpful tool for connection! Angie specializes with working parents and kids who have been adopted too! Such an awesome resource to have as you continue to form that connect with each other!

F igure out what you want to say

O bserve- Are they ready to listen?

C reate your message

U se your senses- Was your message understood?

S elf-correct if needed

Hop over to my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my mailing list to recieve a graphic with this acronym along with continue to recieve weekly episodes right to your email each Friday! You can also book a free ADHD Coaching consult with me or another highly qualified ADHD coach who is a right fit for you www.focusforwardadhd.com

Check out Angie's fabulous resources too! Book a free session with her @http://www.calendly.com/angiegrandt/freesession

Angie's social media connections:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/groups/connectedparentswithangie/

IG: http://www.instagram.com/connectedparentswithangie/

I still would absolutely love to feature your voice on this podcast! Please send a message if interested! Love you all!

New Year Habits Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

Make a New Year resolution they say!? Our ADHD brains say NOPE! Instead, let's create micro goals to practice and turn into HABITS! Creating habits allow you to do things without needing those executive function skills that are so tricky for us so often!

"Easier said then done" you say!? You are absolutely right! This is why you need a plan to create the habit. Set yourself up for success by setting alarms, reminders, post-it notes, visual checklist on a visible calendar (the key it to be sure it is in your face!) Try different tools and strategies until you discover what works best for YOUR brain!

In this short but sweet episode, I recap some past take-aways as I encourage you to celebrate strengths, reflect and respond to some changes you'd like to make, habits you'd like to create in 2023, along with the question of how you plan to take steps to get there. Step by step and day by day you need to give yourself grace, practice lots of self compassion, be in tuned with your mindset and intentional about growing in all areas.

I want to make it a habit in 2023 to have more of you ADHD warriors as guests on this podcast. Please email me an MP3 audioclip sharing thoughts, tips, or things to try on your ADHD journey (katelynmabry4@gmail.com) I will use your clip as an topic prompt and feature it on a future episode!

You can visit www.katelynmabry.com to get on my email list and recieve weekly episode updates with added resources! If you are interested in hiring an ADHD Life Coach, you can go to www.focusforwardadhd.com to set up a free consultation.

Love you all! Happy New Year!

Let's Be Prepared Over a Holiday Break! Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

We hear, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" This is true for many and I for one am so grateful for what this season brings! As much a Christmas and the holiday season in general brings good cheer, it can also feel like a time of choas and disorder with all that is going on over the break!

In this episode you will hear my little ditty, "Hey Hey Hey, Ho Ho Ho, It's holiday season and we need to know, what to do over break, when we come prepared it's a piece of cake!" Corny I know, and you will hear that my 10 year old isn't amused by my rhyme, but I'm hopeful it will be helpful to you!! Entering into break with a predictable plan will help you to feel more in control of those big intense emotions that often comes with the unknown. Remember, we crave order, but have a hard time creating it! This is why intentionally coming up with some sort of structure during break will be a helpful tool to use! Also, savor any extra rest given! Your brain and body will thank you for it! I give tips in this episode to stay hydrated, eat protien first thing in the morning, and make sure to get that body moving too!! The last part of the episode I share 3 R's to try to do during break. REST...REFLECT...RENEW! As I stated before, rest when you can to strengthen and grow that busy brain. Reflect on what tools and strategies work best for your brain and continue investigating what you can continue to try to tie into your day to make your brain and body happy! Continue to Renew that mind on a daily basis! On average, kids with ADHD hear 20,000 more negative comments before the age of 10!! That just hightens the negative self-talk that we too often let live in our heads! This doesn't have to be the way it is!! Choose daily to move those negative thoughts aside and push forward those growth thoughts that speak love and strength into your mind and heart!

Trusted Adults!!! Check out my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my email list and recieve a weekly email with the latest episode along with more tips and resources! Also, please message me if your kiddo would like to share his or her thoughts on the show! Kids feel even more empowered hearing from other kids!

Sending hugs and love to all of you celebrating Christ's birth and/or simply celebrating with friends and family holiday season!

It's Okay to Do Things My Own Way- Interview with Melanie Buckley Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Do you ever look around and think, "why are they doing that faster than me?" or "why is it taking me more steps to get this project done?" If so, you are absolutely not alone! Sometimes it feels things come easier to those around us and we work so hard for the same goal or result! Right!?

This is because our ADHD brains need us to show it some compassion and find the way that it figures stuff out best! We need to honor the fact that we are out of the box thinkers and at times things need to be looked at or presented differently so we can fully understand it. More steps, visuals, lists, whatever it takes isn't wrong, but simply your own unique way...that's OK!

In this episode, you will hear from Melanie Buckley, who is a therapist who works with kids and adults with ADHD. She lives in Denver Colorado and works for a wonderful mental health company called, "Family Care Center." Melanie herself was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 6 and has very personal and professional insite into this topic at hand. She shares her own experience with this feeling of doing things at different rates or in different ways and gives wonderful analogies to better understand and feel more confident in the way your brain learns best! She explains that 2+2=4, but you may it may make more sense that 3+1=4 in your mind. This is a visual of how we can get to to same result or goal by taking different paths. Same holds true for doing a project. You want a wall to be painted blue...Your friend may paint it in two steps and with one paintbrush and you may paint it in 5 steps and use more paint tools to finish it up! Neither way is right or wrong, it's simply unique to the way each of you feel most comfortable and confident gettiing it done!! Malanie is a great resource and you can find out more about this amazing company at https://www.fccwellbeing.com/clinic-locations/colorado-springs/.

Check out my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my email list and recieve the latest podcast episode straight to your inbox each week. I also included added tips and resources that may be helpful for you on your journey. You can also snag a copy of my book "Hi, It's Me! I have ADHD." This is a great conversation starter and makes a great teacher gift too!

Can't wait to be with you again next week! Love you all!

Are My Senses Really Hypersensitive Too!? Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Abolutely hypersensitive senses can be a trait that those of us with ADHD have! This is also something that can trigger emotional dysregulation or other misguided reactions due to low self-awareness. In this episode, you will start out hearing from our 8 year old friend Geovanne who has a brilliant ADHD brain like you and I do. He shows his vibrant personality and great sense of humor as he shares his strengths of creativity, along with having a strong "sniffer!" I ran with this point he made because I think many of us can relate!

This episode is meant to ignite self-awareness and conversation around hypersensitivities you may be facing both at home and at school. It's important to name these and bring them to light so that you can find ways to take care of your needs in those hypersensitive situations. Everybody is different and responds well do different tools and strategies. That's why I want to leave you with this as a discussion piece to unpack a little! We can revisit this topic in more detail durine future episodes!

Visit my website www.katelynmabry.com to get on my mailing list and recieve up to date episodes with added resources. You can also reach me on my site to submit your own audio or to set up a free coaching consult with me go to www.focusforwardadhd.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Love you all!

Introducing Calm Strips! Interview with the Creators Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Do you even feel anxious in different situations and you wish you had something to do to help your mind and body find calm!? Look no further!

In this episode, you will meet Michael and Luce who are the cofounders of Calm Strips. This brilliant product sticks on and off of any surface (phone, ipad, desk, etc.) and has texture that helps calm your nervous system when that anxious energy strikes! Not only do they have texture, but also come in a variety of designs, while also offering breathing techniques too! This multi-purpose tool can be helpful during test taking, homework time, or even used to ease those big emotions that can come when stuck in traffic! It's a great tool for kids and trusted adults alike! Michael shares that kids seem to enjoy trading the stickers as well, which is a great way to promote inclusion of the tool among peers. They are a helpful tool that also look cool!

You can connect with Michael or Luce and learn more about how you can get your own set of calm strips at www.calmstrips.com. This would make a great stocking stuffer or teacher gift!

Go to my website www.katelynmabry.comto get on my email list and recieve the most recent podcast episode each week with additional tips and resources! And if ADHD Life Coaching is on your radar, go to www.focusforwardadhd.com to set up a free consultation! I would love to dig deeper with you and your kiddos to help ensure you are thriving as you continue find what works best for you and your ADHD brain!

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