Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

This week I bring back parent coach Margaret Webb, who offers advice for navigating a dynamic where grandparents and other extended family don’t understand our child. We talk about how to handle family who may not be as tolerant or understanding of who our kids are (or our reality in raising them) as we would like. So often big family events like weddings or graduations or holiday celebrations create situations where we’re expected to spend lots of time with family, but it might not look the way we, or they, expect. So what do we do in these scenarios? What are our responsibilities both to our children and to the family members hosting or attending these events? How can we best prep for these tricky situations? That’s what we’re covering in this episode. Margaret has a lot of experience supporting parents through this difficult dynamic, and in this episode she shares her best tips and strategies for taking care of ourselves and our children and making choices around family events that make the most sense for our reality.   About Margaret Margaret Webb is a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she’s learned in Martha Beck’s Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute’s Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she’s applied to her own life as a mom of a child with special needs.   Things you’ll learn from this episode How “shoulding” from other parents can lead to a judgement shame spiral How to take care of yourself and the emotions that come up in challenging situations How to practice proactive problem solving around family events that are likely to be challenging The importance of being mindful of the time and energy we spend on other people How to play “dysfunctional bingo” Margaret’s best tips for parents navigating tricky dynamics with extended family, and handling grandparents who don’t understand our child Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria—often referred to as RSD—a deeply emotional experience that affects so many individuals with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. My guest is Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist who has spent over 30 years working with neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and families. In our conversation, Sharon breaks down what RSD is, how it shows up in daily life, and why understanding it can be such a game changer—for both kids and parents. We talk about the emotional and psychological impact of RSD, practical tools for managing it, and how to cultivate self-compassion and resilience in the face of painful rejection or criticism. Sharon also shares strategies for helping kids navigate social situations with more confidence and less overwhelm, and for supporting ourselves as parents along the way. About Dr. Sharon Saline Dr. Sharon Saline is the author of the award-winning book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life and The ADHD solution card deck. She specializes in working with ADHD and neurodivergent children, teens, adults and families–helping them improve cognitive and social executive functioning skills, resilience, self-confidence and personal relationships. She consults with schools, clinics and businesses internationally. Dr. Saline is an instructor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, a part-time lecturer at the Smith College School for Social Work, blogger for PsychologyToday.com, contributing expert on MASS Live at WWLP TV, serves on the editorial board of and hosts a monthly live event for ADDitudemag.com. Things you'll learn from this episode  How rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) shows up as an intense emotional response to perceived rejection or criticism Why many people with ADHD also experience RSD and how it can affect social interactions and relationships How RSD can trigger deep shame and emotional pain, often overlapping with social anxiety Why self-compassion, resilience, and reframing negative thoughts are key coping strategies How parents can support their children by validating their feelings rather than minimizing them Why understanding RSD is empowering and helps individuals navigate relationships with greater self-awareness Resources mentioned Dr. Sharon Saline’s website What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life by Dr. Sharon Saline The ADHD Solution Card Deck Dr. Sharon Saline on Instagram Dr. Sharon Saline on Facebook Dr. Sharon Saline on Threads Dr. Sharon Saline on LinkedIn Dr. Sharon Saline’s YouTube channel Dr. Sharon Saline on Understanding and Working with ADHD in Girls (Full-Tilt Parenting) The ADHD Solution Card Deck: 50 Strategies to Help Kids Learn, Reduce Stress & Improve Family Connections (created by Dr. Sharon Saline) Sharon Saline on What Our ADHD Kids Wish We Knew (Full-Tilt Parenting) Dr. Megan Anna Neff on RSD (Neurodivergent Insights) Sharon Saline on RSD (Additude Today) Thomas Brown / Brown Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders Dr. William Dodson How ADHD Shapes Your Perceptions (PDF by William Dodson) Big Kids, Big Emotions: Helping Teens with ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Improve Emotional Regulation (Webinar with Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) Q: Are My Feelings Valid, Even If RSD Is Involved? (Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) I Feel Judged & Attacked: A Teen’s View of RSD (Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) Dear Dr. Sharon: Is Rejection Sensitivity All In My Head? (Sharon Saline’s website) Social Anxiety vs. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. (Webinar) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking about anxiety—how it shows up in families, how it affects our kids’ growing independence, and what we can do to keep worry from running the show. My guest, Lynn Lyons, is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and leading voice in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children, teens, and adults. In our conversation, Lynn and I unpack the dynamics of anxiety within families—what happens as kids begin asserting independence, how parents can best support their social and emotional growth, and how to notice when our own habits might be feeding the cycle. She offers practical, compassionate strategies for shifting from worry to courage and for helping both our kids and ourselves move through anxiety with more confidence and calm.   About Lynn Lyons Lynn Lyons is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in private practice for 35 years specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children. She is a sought after expert, appearing in the New York Times, Time, NPR, Psychology Today, Good Morning America, Today Show and other media outlets. Lynn is a featured expert in the 2023 documentary Anxious Nation. With a special interest in breaking the generational cycle of worry in families, Lynn is the author/coauthor of several books and articles on anxiety, including Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children, and the companion book for kids, Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids. Her latest book for adults and teenagers, The Anxiety Audit was released October ’22. Lynn is the co-host of the popular podcast Flusterclux. Things you'll learn from this episode How anxiety can take on a powerful “cult leader” role within families, influencing thoughts and behaviors Why parents often unknowingly bargain with anxiety in early childhood to maintain calm or control How growing social pressures and the shift toward independence can heighten anxiety for both parents and kids Why changes in sleep, participation, and social engagement may signal deeper anxiety concerns How the loss of parental control during adolescence can trigger its own layer of worry and stress Why understanding these family dynamics is essential for effectively supporting children’s mental health Resources mentioned Lynn Lyons’ website Flusterclux podcast Lynn on Instagram Anxiety Disruptor series on the Flusterclux Podcast Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children by Lynn Lyons & Reid Wilson The Anxiety Audit: Seven Sneaky Ways Anxiety Takes Hold and How to Escape Them by Lynn Lyons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I sit down with my dear friend and super talented life coach Kanesha Baynard to talk about the relationship we have with our parents and in-laws while also navigating our own journey as parents. Kanesha is an expert in multi-generational family dynamics and in this episode, we cover a lot of ground — the common challenges, tackling uncomfortable conversations, designing an alliance with our parents and in-laws, and much more. If you’ve ever had a communications fail or conflict or disagreement with your own parent or parent-in-law over some aspect of raising your own child, Kanesha’s perspective and practical strategies will undoubtedly inspire you to foster a dynamic that will best serve the whole family and meet everyone’s needs in a respectful way moving forward. About Kanesha Kanesha Baynard is a workshop facilitator, creativity coach, and inner wellness author who has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show. Her work has also been featured in many local and national publications. Kanesha is the author of The Self-love Playbook for #boldthinkers, 52 Powerful Questions: A Journal and Planning Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, and Focus on What Matters: A Guided Journal. Kanesha has over 20 years of experience as an educator, leadership developer, and curriculum designer. She was a secondary teacher for eight years, served as a K-12 professional development administrator and oversaw the teacher certification program at a large university. She holds degrees in Spanish, secondary education, educational leadership, and linguistically diverse education. She is also has a certification in life coaching. Kanesha is based in the Bay Area and works with one-on-one clients, facilitates workshops, hosts enhanced retail experiences, and provides keynote presentations. What you'll learn from this episode How to recognize and understand generational differences between our parents parenting style and our own Strategies for handling difficult conversations with our parents How to handle it when we feel judged by our parents or in-laws How to take care of our needs and our kids needs during difficult moments How to ask for what you need from your parents and in-laws in a respectful way Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices