Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

My Child Doesn’t Listen to Me!

When your child does not respond, forgets what you said, or seems to tune you out, it is easy to feel frustrated, hurt, or even disrespected.
But what if your child is not ignoring you on purpose?
In this episode of Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!, we talk about why children with ADHD and other learning differences may appear not to listen — and why curiosity is often more helpful than assuming defiance.
Jenny walks through several possible reasons your child may not be taking in what you say, including distraction, hyperfocus, mind wandering, weak working memory, auditory processing challenges, and simple factors like hunger, fatigue, or stress.
You will also learn practical strategies to help your child actually process and remember what you are saying — without escalating the moment.
In this episode, we cover:
Why “they’re ignoring me” may not be the full story
The difference between hearing and listening
Why ADHD can affect attention, follow-through, and processing
How working memory impacts your child’s ability to remember directions
What auditory processing challenges can look like
Why sleep, energy, mood, and hunger matter more than we think
Easy ways to improve communication at home
This episode is for you if:
You feel like your child does not listen the first time
You are tired of repeating yourself
You want to reduce power struggles and respond with more empathy
You are raising a child with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or learning differences
Resources / Next Steps:If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who needs this reminder: your child is not always being difficult — sometimes they need more support, not more correction.
For more support, visit WeThriveLearning.com, schedule a free consultation call, or join our Facebook group: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Ways to Help Your Child Struggling with Depression

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If your teen seems withdrawn, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or constantly stressed about school, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening beneath the surface.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

Punishments vs. Consequences: How to Effectively Shape Behavior and Encourage Positive Change

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.
Want support tailored to your family? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation at WeThriveLearning.com and join our Facebook community: Parent Your ADHD Child with Confidence!

Beyond Medication: An Integrative Approach to Childhood ADHD

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). 
 

My Child Doesn't Listen to Me!

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!

How Technology is Affecting our Youth's Mental Health

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

How Executive Function Skills Impact Your Child's Day to Day & Home Strategies!

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.
✨ Download our free booklet with 4 organic ways to build executive function skills at any age plus 100 powerful coaching questions at:👉 https://www.wethrivelearning.com

What Are Executive Function Skills and Why Does My Child Struggle With Them So Much?

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.For more information, please head to our website wethrivelearning.com.

What Is Educational Therapy and How Do I Know If My Child Needs It?

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.
To learn more or ask questions about your child, visit WeThriveLearning.com and schedule a call. We’re here to help!

Why This Podcast Exists (and How It Will Support Your Family)

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. For more information, please check out our website: WeThrive Learning Website