ADHD Families Podcast

The toast was cut the wrong way.

That’s all it took.

Suddenly there are tears, slammed doors and an emotional reaction so huge you’re standing there wondering, how is THIS the hill we’re dying on today?

If your child with ADHD can go from zero to completely overwhelmed over something that seems tiny, this episode will help you understand why.

Sharon breaks down what’s really happening underneath ADHD emotional dysregulation, meltdowns and big emotional reactions and why the size of the reaction often has very little to do with the size of the trigger.

You’ll also learn why reasoning with your child in the middle of an emotional storm rarely works, what Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) can look like in everyday family life, and what to do instead.

👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers:

Why small triggers can create enormous ADHD emotional reactions

How executive function affects emotional regulation

Why the “wrong toast” is rarely actually about the toast

What RSD is and why ordinary corrections can feel enormous

Why your child may hold it together all day and fall apart with you

Why explaining, reasoning and consequences don’t work mid-meltdown

How co-regulation helps your child come back online

Five practical things Sharon does during big emotions

Why the real teaching happens after the storm

The biggest takeaway?

Your calm is the tool. Everything else gets built on top of it.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 — When the smallest thing triggers a huge emotional reaction

01:20 — The kitchen sponge story: when the reaction doesn’t match the trigger

02:15 — Why ADHD emotions can feel so big, so fast

03:30 — Executive function, emotional regulation and the missing “pause”

05:00 — Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and why correction can hurt

06:35 — How to correct with warmth without walking on eggshells

07:20 — Why your child holds it together for everyone else — then falls apart with you

08:45 — Co-regulation: why your nervous system matters

09:35 — Five things to do during an ADHD emotional meltdown

11:45 — What NOT to do when your child is emotionally flooded

12:45 — Spotting your family’s predictable emotional flashpoints

13:20 — The ADHD Family System and building your Friction Map

🚀 The ADHD Family System — FREE Online Workshop

If your family keeps getting caught in the same meltdowns, transitions and daily battles, there’s probably a pattern underneath them.

In this free workshop, Sharon will help you identify your family’s biggest flashpoints and start building your Friction Map — so you can plan for difficult moments instead of constantly bracing for them.

100% free. No cost, no catch.

📅 1 September — 7pm
📅 4 September — 1pm
📅 8 September — 7pm

🔗 Save your free spot

💫 The ADHD Family Quest — Secure Your Spot

Ready to go further?

The ADHD Family Quest is a four-week, coaching-led experience designed to help families create practical, lasting change at home.

Less collecting ADHD parenting tips. More changing the patterns and systems creating friction in your actual family.

Because it was never meant to sit entirely on Mum’s shoulders.

Places are limited.

🔗 Secure your spot

🔔 Next Steps & ADHD Resources

Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast

Work with Sharon

Sharon featured in The ADHD Weasel

Watch Sharon on The Morning Show

💛 Work With Sharon

Sharon Collon is a PCC-credentialed ADHD coach and parenting expert who helps families move from survival mode to calmer, more connected and functional family life.

Her approach helps families understand ADHD, support emotional regulation, map predictable friction points and build ADHD-friendly systems that work on the hard days — not just the good ones.

Predictable means mappable. And mappable means you can get ahead of it.

You are too important to stay in survival mode.

Why does your child melt down at exactly 7:15am, 3:15pm and 8:45pm, like clockwork?

On the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, PCC credentialed ADHD coach and founder of The Functional Family, explains why ADHD meltdowns aren't random. They run to a very tight timetable, and that timetable is the most useful information you've got.

Sharon unpacks the three windows where most ADHD families break (morning launch, after school landing and the bedtime encore), answers the question every parent asks her, and walks you through four practical moves to plan for the pattern instead of reacting to it. If you've been hunting for the trigger, this episode will change where you look.

🎁 Join the free ADHD Family System session and map your family's flashpoints: https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/system



👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers:

✅ Why a meltdown is a capacity problem, not a decision
✅ The three daily windows where ADHD families break
✅ Why the trigger is never actually the cause
✅ "Is my child doing this on purpose?" and why the answer is no
✅ Why it lands on you, the safest person in the room
✅ Move #1: Map your flashpoints for one week
✅ Move #2: Lower demand at the spike, not all day
✅ Move #3: Build a rhythm into the hard window
✅ Move #4: Move the demand off the person and onto the system
✅ The school gate example, start to finish

⚠️ If you've ever stood at the school gate bracing for impact, this episode is for you.



⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – The meltdown you could set your clock by
01:00 – Sharon's own flashpoint: the school uniform collar
02:40 – Why it's not random: demand outruns capacity
04:10 – Window 1: The morning launch, 7 to 8am
05:10 – Window 2: The after school landing, 3 to 4pm
06:10 – Window 3: The bedtime encore, 8 to 9pm
07:10 – "Is my child doing this on purpose?"
08:50 – The question that changes how parents see afternoons
10:20 – The four moves to plan for the pattern
14:10 – The school gate example and your free next step



🚀 The ADHD Family System, FREE Online Workshop

100% free. No cost, no catch.

In this free workshop, we map your family's flashpoints together and build the beginnings of your friction map, so you can plan for your week instead of bracing against it.

It isn't a webinar full of generic parenting advice. It isn't more reading. And it's definitely not another thing to add to your plate.

Three free sessions, pick whichever suits you: 📅 1 September, 7pm 📅 4 September, 1pm 📅 8 September, 7pm

🔗 Save your free spot here



💫 The ADHD Family Quest, Secure Your Spot Now

Ready for more than a workshop?

The ADHD Family Quest is a 4-week, coaching-led experience for families who want lasting change, not another round of tips.

Your whole family moves forward together, because it was never meant to sit on mum's shoulders.

This isn't therapy. It isn't a course. And it's definitely not a quick fix. Spots are limited.

🔗 Secure your spot here



🔔 Next Steps & Resources

Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast

Ready for real support? See how to Work with Sharon

Sharon featured in The ADHD Weasel

Watch Sharon on The Morning Show

💛 Work With Sharon

Sharon Collon supports ADHD families to move from survival mode to functional, calm and connected, using ADHD-friendly systems that honour how sensitive nervous systems actually work.

Working with Sharon, families:

Map the predictable friction points in their day

Lower demand where it counts, without walking on eggshells

Build rhythms that give energy back instead of draining it

Design systems that hold on low capacity days, not just good ones

Stop being surprised by a pattern they can see coming

Predictable means mappable. And mappable means you can get ahead of it.

You are too important to stay in survival mode.

You've found the support.

You've done the research.

You know your teenager could benefit from ADHD coaching...

But every time you bring it up, you're met with, "I'm fine." or "I don't need it."

If you're wondering how to help a reluctant teen without pushing them further away, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon is joined by ADHD Teen Coach Kimberley, who shares why so many teenagers resist support, what ADHD coaching actually looks like, and how parents can introduce help in a way that builds trust instead of resistance.

Together, they unpack why resistance isn't defiance—it's often protection—and why the right support, at the right time, can help teens build confidence, executive functioning skills and emotional resilience that lasts well beyond school.

👀 In This Episode, Sharon and Kimberley Covers

✔️ Why resistance to support is often a sign of protection—not defiance

✔️ How executive functioning challenges can be mistaken for laziness or lack of motivation

✔️ Why ADHD coaching is different from therapy

✔️ How to introduce coaching without pressure or conflict

✔️ What teenagers actually work on during ADHD coaching sessions

✔️ Why connection comes before strategy

✔️ How confidentiality works between coaches, teens and parents

✔️ What progress really looks like in ADHD coaching

✔️ Why confidence and self-awareness come before behaviour change

✔️ How coaching helps teenagers understand and work with their ADHD brain



⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Why teens often refuse ADHD support

03:12 – Meet Kimberley: ADHD coach, educator and mum

05:34 – The executive functioning skills teens are missing

08:02 – Why your teen keeps saying "No"

11:03 – How to introduce ADHD coaching without creating resistance

12:54 – What ADHD coaching actually helps teenagers with

15:53 – Building trust, confidence and connection before strategies

20:44 – The biggest mistakes parents make when seeking support

27:49 – What success looks like when coaching starts to work

30:56 – Special offer for ADHD Teen Coaching

⭐️ Teen ADHD Coaching with Kimberley

Looking for practical, strengths-based support for your teenager?

Kimberley is an ADDCA-trained ADHD Coach, former secondary teacher and mum of three children with ADHD. She specialises in helping teenagers build executive functioning skills, confidence, emotional regulation and practical strategies in a supportive, judgement-free environment.

For listeners of this episode, we're offering a special introductory offer of 20% discount available until 31 July.

👉 span[aria-hidden='true']]:hidden" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://calendly.com/kimberley-king/discovery-call">Book your Free 20-min Discovery Call with Kimberley



🎁 Free ADHD Family Systems Workshop

Feeling like you're constantly reminding, nagging or putting out fires?

Join Sharon's FREE ADHD Family Systems Workshop to learn the simple systems that reduce daily overwhelm, lower family conflict and help your home run with less stress—and more connection.

We start first week of September. We would love to have you!

👉 span[aria-hidden='true']]:hidden" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/system">Reserve your FREE SEAT here

🔔 Next Steps & Resources

Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast

Secure your spot to the ADHD Family Quest

Check here on how to Work WIth Sharon

Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com

Work With Sharon

Sharon Collon helps ADHD families create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Through her programs, resources, and podcast, Sharon shares compassionate, evidence-informed support for parents navigating the realities of ADHD family life.

Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, executive functioning, school stress, or family routines, Sharon’s work is designed to help parents feel supported — not judged.

🌐 The Functional Family

School camp can feel like a huge milestone… but for parents of children with ADHD, it often comes with a whole lot of worry.

Will they sleep?

Will they remember their medication?

Will they make friends?

Will they cope without me?

If you've ever found yourself staring at the camp permission slip while mentally preparing for every possible scenario, you're not alone.

In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon shares practical, ADHD-friendly strategies to help your child prepare for school camp, manage the challenges while they're away, and recover well once they return home.

Drawing on her experience as a PCC Credentialed ADHD Coach, parenting expert, and mum of three children with ADHD, Sharon explains why camp can feel so overwhelming for the ADHD brain and how a little preparation can transform the experience for the whole family.

Rather than expecting your child to simply "cope," you'll learn how to build the right scaffolding so they can thrive with confidence.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Why school camp feels so overwhelming for ADHD families

02:43 – Why camp is uniquely challenging for the ADHD brain

03:52 – Before camp: setting your child up for success

05:41 – Preparing teachers, medication and sleep

07:10 – Packing strategies that reduce overwhelm

10:03 – During camp: building regulation and support

12:22 – Managing social exhaustion and trusting the process

13:20 – The post-camp restraint collapse explained

15:21 – Your biggest takeaway as an ADHD parent

16:37 – Free ADHD Family Systems Workshop & final thoughts

In This Episode You'll Learn

✔️ Why school camp places extra demands on the ADHD brain

✔️ How to decide if your child is ready for an overnight camp

✔️ The conversations to have with teachers before camp begins

✔️ Medication and sleep strategies that reduce unnecessary stress

✔️ Practical packing systems that support executive functioning

✔️ Why one trusted adult at camp can make all the difference

✔️ How to create a simple emotional regulation plan before they leave

✔️ Why social exhaustion is often mistaken for behavioural problems

✔️ What restraint collapse looks like after camp—and how to respond

✔️ How to help your child recover emotionally and physically after camp

🎁 Free ADHD Family Systems Workshop

If you're tired of solving the same family challenges over and over again, join Sharon's FREE ADHD Family Systems Workshop.

You'll learn how to identify your family's biggest friction points and build ADHD-friendly systems that actually work—so life feels calmer, easier and more connected.

👉 PICK YOUR FREE SESSION NOW

☀️ As seen on The Morning Show

Sharon recently shared her simple CRC Method for reducing overwhelm in ADHD families—Get Curious, Get Regulated, Get Clear. Because the behaviour is the smoke, not the fire. When we stop trying to fix every behaviour and start understanding what's driving it, family life can become calmer, more connected and a whole lot easier.

👉 Watch my ADHD parenting segment on The Morning Show

🔔 Next Steps & Resources

Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast

Secure your spot now for the ADHD Family Quest (Watch out for September BONUS!!)

Check here on how to Work WIth Sharon

Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com

Work With Sharon

Sharon Collon helps ADHD families create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Through her programs, resources, and podcast, Sharon shares compassionate, evidence-informed support for parents navigating the realities of ADHD family life.

Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, executive functioning, school stress, or family routines, Sharon’s work is designed to help parents feel supported — not judged.

🌐 The Functional Family

Has your child ever dropped the F-bomb at exactly the worst possible moment? Maybe it was at a family dinner, in the school pickup line, or right in front of Grandma. If so, you're definitely not alone.

In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, Sharon Collon, PCC Credentialed ADHD Family Coach, unpacks one of the most common challenges parents bring to coaching sessions: swearing. Sharon explains why swearing is often linked to ADHD impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, novelty-seeking behaviour, and dopamine-driven reactions, rather than disrespect or poor character.

You'll learn why traditional punishment approaches often fail, how to reduce the emotional charge around swear words, and practical strategies that help children develop better self-regulation and communication skills. Sharon shares real-life examples from her own family, along with simple tools parents can start using immediately to reduce conflict and create calmer family dynamics.

👀 In This Episode, Sharon Covers

✅ Why swearing is often a symptom of ADHD, not a behaviour problem

✅ How impulsivity affects a child's ability to filter language

✅ The link between emotional dysregulation and swearing

✅ Why novelty and strong reactions make swear words "sticky"

✅ How attention and dopamine can unintentionally reinforce swearing

✅ Why punishment rarely solves ADHD-related swearing

✅ How to stay calm and avoid making swear words the main event

✅ The power of replacement words and modelling language

✅ Working "upstream" to reduce triggers and dysregulation

✅ Teaching contextual awareness about where certain language is appropriate

✅ Practical scripts parents can use immediately



⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Why ADHD and swearing is such a common family challenge

01:45 Why swearing is usually a symptom, not disrespect

04:00 ADHD impulsivity and the missing filter

07:00 Emotional dysregulation and why big feelings trigger big language

10:00 Novelty, reactions, and why swear words become sticky

12:30 Attention, dopamine, and reinforcement

14:30 Why punishment doesn't work for ADHD-related swearing

16:30 Strategy #1: Don't make the swear word the main event

18:30 Strategy #2: Teach and model replacement words

21:00 Strategy #3: Work upstream and reduce dysregulation

23:30 Strategy #4: Build contextual awareness

25:00 Final recap and encouragement

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The Money Hunt 2026 is a five-day live implementation event designed specifically for mums in ADHD families who want practical money wins without budgeting spreadsheets, spending diaries, restriction, or guilt.

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🔔 Next Steps & Resources

Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast

Join the waitlist for the ADHD Family Quest

Check here on how to Work WIth Sharon

Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com

Work With Sharon

Sharon Collon helps ADHD families create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Through her programs, resources, and podcast, Sharon shares compassionate, evidence-informed support for parents navigating the realities of ADHD family life.

Whether you’re struggling with emotional regulation, executive functioning, school stress, or family routines, Sharon’s work is designed to help parents feel supported — not judged.

🌐 The Functional Family