E240: Raising Out-of-the-box ADHD Children Well with Tracy Otsuka
Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHDShow Notes
There is a 50-75% chance that your child will have ADHD when you, their parent, have ADHD. That means everything multiplies exponentially - both the struggles and the wins! Parenting is already a tough job, and ADHD adds extra flavor, spunk, and responsibility onto both our and our kids' plates. How can we raise our ADHD children well? Meet Tracy Otsuka, author & host of the ADHD for Smart Ass Women podcast & book. Tracy Otsuka, JD, is a certified ADHD coach and the host of the ADHD for Smart Ass Women podcast. Over the past decade, she has empowered thousands of clients (from doctors and therapists to C-suite executives and entrepreneurs) to see their neurodivergence as a strength–not a weakness. Tracy leverages her analytical skills from being a lead counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to identify the right questions to ask her clients so they can boost their productivity, improve their finances, save failing relationships and live happier lives. Tracy's expertise and experience as an adult living with ADHD are regularly sought out by top tier media including Inc, Forbes, ADDitude magazine, and The Goal Digger Podcast. When she's not sharing her thought leadership around ADHD on other platforms, she hosts her own podcast which ranks #1 in its category and has over 5 million downloads across 160 countries. She also moderates a Facebook group with nearly 100,000 members. A married mother of two, Tracy lives in Sonoma County outside of San Francisco. We're often told that people who have degrees or do well in school couldn't possibly have ADHD. Giant Eye Roll! While Tracy excelled in school, including a law degree, but it wasn't until she was late-diagnosed with ADHD that she knew it was because she worked harder than everyone else and implemented some serious organization and structure. Today we're discussing how both Tracy and her son Marcus struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia in school, affecting their grades and confidence. Tracy focused on supporting Marcus' interests and passions rather than grades, which helped him get into NYU and find his path to success. Tracy also shares her hard-earned wisdom around communication, understanding strengths and weaknesses, and not passing on generational trauma to her children as part of how her family is able to manage 3 of 4 members having ADHD. With both her son and daughter reaching young adulthood, Tracy is on the other side of motherhood as an empty nester and is shining a light on what truly matters as you raise your ADHD kids well. Find Tracy Otsuka here: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/
Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-240-raising-adhd-children-tracy-otsuka-smart-women
Curious how ADHD shows up frequently in women? Download this free checklist of ADHD symptoms to help you feel confident at your diagnosis assessment or in your own knowledge of ADHD.
I've got a podcast for you to check out! I'm honored to partner with Understood.org's podcast, In It: Raising Kids who Learn Differently this month. In each episode, you'll hear from people sharing their own stories and perspectives on how to navigate and support those who have challenges with reading, math, ADHD, or dyslexia, and more. Listen today for support on how to better support yourself and your child.
Our annual ADHD Moms Luxury Weekend Retreat is coming up October 11-13, 2024 in Houston, Texas! You're officially invited :) "Gift yourself the opportunity to meet like-minded people (literally), make instant friendships, and the space to finally be yourself." –ADHD Mama T.H. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. Because you deserve to take care of yourself too. Grab your all-inclusive ticket here: patriciasung.com/retreat Last day to get your ticket: Tuesday, September 24th!
More from Motherhood in ADHD – Parenting with ADHD, Productivity Tips, Brain based Science, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Education to Help Moms with Adult ADHD
What if I don't feel like myself? What if it makes things worse? What if I make the wrong choice for my kid? If you've been afraid to try ADHD medication, I get it. The unknown is scary, and the horror stories don't help. The next bold, unfiltered opinion of mine is this: Take the ADHD medicine. Talk to your doctor, ask your questions, and give yourself permission to explore a tool that could help. In this episode, I share my own experience finding the generic medication that works best for me, why one disappointing experience doesn't mean every option will be a poor fit, and why I'd rather explore support before life becomes a dumpster fire. Medicine isn't a magic fairy wand that takes your ADHD away. It is one great tool available to you. Finding a good fit can be frustrating. But fear doesn't have to make the decision for you. Need help explaining your experiences to your doctor? My free ADHD symptoms checklist can help you put real-life examples into words. You can also find my book and preorder information at patriciasung.com/book. Come listen, mama. You deserve support and room to ask questions while you figure out what works for you and your family. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-288-take-adhd-medicine Links mentioned in this episode: Medicine series: Episode 142: Why I Choose to take ADHD Medication and My Journey for the Best ADHD Treatment Plan Episode 143: Should You Take ADHD Medication? How to Make the Difficult Decision to Try ADHD Medicine for Your Child or Yourself with Psychotherapist Christina Crowe Episode 144: Overcoming the Shame, Fear, and Embarrassment of ADHD Medication For Your Best Treatment Plan - Because Parenting with ADHD is a Different Ball Game! with Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells Episode 145: Stimulants and Non-Stimulants, Common Side Effects, and Squashing Rumors: An Introduction to ADHD Medication with Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells Episode 146: 10 ADHD Medication Myths Busted: Honestly Discussing the Truth about Stimulant ADHD Medicines Episode 147: What I Wish I Knew Before Taking ADHD Medication: Your Questions Answered!
"Doesn't everyone have a little ADHD?" Ugh.
There are no trophies for making your life the most difficult. So why are we making things so hard for ourselves? My unpopular opinion today: take the easy way out. As a recovering people pleaser and perfectionist, I'm practicing sharing my opinions more boldly. And today's opinion is this one: you're already doing 700 things. Please make some of them easier. In this short episode, I'm sharing why my purse stays by the door and why my kids buy school lunch. We'll also talk about how I let my older kids take responsibility when they want to pack their own lunch, instead of adding another thing to my morning. When something feels difficult, ask yourself: "What's the easiest way I could do this?" It's not lazy. It's efficient. It's working with your brain. I'm also sharing an update on my book, Motherhood and ADHD, coming out in February. If we reach 500 preordered copies by October 13, I'll draw one winner on October 14 for a spot at my Houston retreat the following weekend. Lodging, food, and activities are included; all you have to do is get here. Submit your receipt at patriciasung.com/book, with one entry per copy pre-ordered. Come listen, mama. You're allowed to choose an easier way. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-286-take-the-easy-way-out
Should you tell your kid they have ADHD? My unpopular opinion: YES. This is a hill I will die upon. We want to protect our kids. But when they're struggling and don't understand why, they start to believe they're the problem. They already know something feels different. Giving them a name for it helps them understand what's going on instead of blaming themselves. In this episode, I'm practicing speaking boldly as a recovering people pleaser and perfectionist. I'm sharing why I feel so strongly about telling kids about their diagnosis. We'll talk about using words that fit your child's age and maturity, explaining what helps their brain, and reminding them that there are lots of us out here who learn and do things differently. I also read a short passage from my upcoming book, Motherhood and ADHD. We don't need to pretend that feeling different is easy or cover it with toxic positivity. We can help our kids understand who they are and find support that fits. Plus, I'm sharing my book preorder details, including a retreat giveaway if we reach 500 preorders by October 13, and a reminder that October 1st is the last day to register for the October 16–18 Successful As a Mother weekend retreat. Come listen, mama. You don't need perfect words to help your child feel understood. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-285-should-i-tell-my-child-they-have-adhd Links mentioned in this episode: Laura Petix https://theotbutterfly.com/ Her book, The Sensory Code, comes out next week! Super stressed and need a break? Come along on our 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat, October 16-18, 2026 in the Texas countryside, located at the Happy Goat Retreat! "Honestly, this was one the best weekends I've had since becoming a mom. I've never felt so seen and understood. I would hop on a plane and go again. No hesitation! I'll follow y'all anywhere, moms." –ADHD Mama J.Q. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. I take care of you while you learn how to take even better care of yourself, in a way that's sustainable for real momlife. Because you can take care of your family well when you're in a healthy place. It's time to get your ticket: www.patriciasung.com/retreat
You can do it all...but not at the same time. Every mom hits a busy season where you have no idea how everything is going to get done. Overwhelm is knocking at the door and you aren't sure where to start. I'm in that busy season with my upcoming book, and I'm sure you've been there (or are there now), too. Today I'm sharing an update on what's been happening in the last few weeks, and 6 things I'm doing to keep myself sane while I do it all. Plus I'm asking for help on who you think I should share the book with, so we can get the word out to as many moms as possible. Pick what helps and leave the rest. Big hugs! You can do this! Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-284-how-to-juggle-it-all-mom-adhd Links mentioned in this episode: How to Juggle Priorities: Decide Which Balls Are Glass and Which Are Plastic Article Episode 265: How Do You Keep Up with Everything as a Mom with ADHD? It's time to take care of you, mama. A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat