Episode 62: Surviving Burnout & Perfectionism in ADHD Mum Life

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Jane McFadden, founder of ADHD Mum Podcast, about:

✅ Why so many ADHD mums fall into the “all or nothing” trap, and how perfectionism can turn even simple tasks into overwhelming mountains

✅ The double-edged sword of to-do lists for neurodivergent mums, and how to create systems that work for you (not against you)

✅ The importance of recognising different types of burnout and why neurodivergent people often burn out harder and more often

✅ Energy accounting for families

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:16 The unique challenges of parenting children with ADHD

00:45 Identify and prioritise personal values

01:56 Jane's background

02:27 Perfectionism trap for women with ADHD

02:31 Actionable strategies for managing to-do lists and perfectionism

32:07 The concept of “energy accounting”

33:18 Burn-out wave

36:44 Acknowledging that everyone’s limits are different.

38:37 The value of honest, ongoing conversations about each family member’s needs and challenges

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Jane McFadden is the Autistic and ADHD Aussie mum behind the podcast ADHD Mums.

She believes motherhood is hard - really hard - especially when you're neurodivergent or raising kids who are. She believes in speaking honestly about the mental load, the guilt, the overwhelm, and the absolute chaos that comes with parenting while trying to function in a world that doesn't make space for us. She believes in sharing the struggles without sugarcoating them - but also finding the humour in it all because sometimes you just have to laugh or you'll cry (again).

Connect with Jane:

Website: https://adhdmums.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ADHD-Mums/100091850469503/

Tiktok: https://www.facebook.com/people/ADHD-Mums/100091850469503/

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/adhdmums

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KEY POINTS

The episode explores the unique challenges of parenting children with ADHD, emphasising the need to adapt parenting strategies and understand each child’s individual needs and pace.

Jane and Sharon discuss the cycle of burnout and perfectionism many mothers with ADHD face, sharing practical strategies for managing overwhelming to-do lists and encouraging decisions based on personal values, not societal “shoulds”.

NEXT STEPS

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

See how I can help your family here

WORK WITH Sharon Collon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

CONNECT

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/ 🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com 🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog