Making Sense of the Hard Bits of Parenting — Parenting on Hard Mode

She Snippets for She Speaks Podcast Series 3 — Parenting on Hard Mode

Episode Overview
Parenting requires you to do repetitive tasks every single day with unwavering consistency. If you have ADHD, that's basically kryptonite.

In this snippet, Delyse Clayden takes us through eight real ways ADHD shows up in parenting—from staying emotionally available during your child's meltdown (while managing your own dysregulation), to sitting through the 47th game of Candyland without zoning out, to remembering that one critical school form. This isn't about being a perfect parent. It's about recognising what you're up against and finding tools that actually work for your brain.

This Episode
Delyse shares eight ways ADHD impacts parenting—and what helps. We explore:

•       Emotional availability: being present for your child when you're dealing with your own emotional dysregulation

•       Parent-child connection: staying engaged during repetitive play when your brain wants to zone out

•       The "deal with it immediately" strategy—because if it touches the bench, it's forgotten

•       Keeping children safe from curious toddlers to teenage drivers (and not getting distracted by kangaroos in the field)

•       Noticing and praising good behaviour—don't leave things unsaid

•       Staying calm when everything is chaotic: you are the adult with more skills

•       Setting and sticking to boundaries—because children thrive when they know where they stand

Quotable Moments

"You're not a bad parent, you just need some different tools in your toolbox." — Delyse Clayden

"Don't leave things till later. Deal with them straight away. As soon as I get a form, I sign it, pay for it—it does not touch the bench." — Delyse Clayden

"Although the situation may be out of control, you are the one who's able to stay calm. Remembering that you are the adult and you have got the skills more so than the children do." — Delyse Clayden

"There's no shame in asking for help at all." — Delyse Clayden

About Your Hosts
Professor Narelle Lemon is a researcher, educator, and passionate advocate for women's wellbeing based at Edith Cowan University in Perth. Creator of She Speaks and the Citizen Wellbeing Scientist project, Narelle has dedicated over 25 years to one powerful belief: self-care is not selfish—it's essential.

Delyse Clayden is an experienced educator, disability advocate, and mother of three. Specialising in Anxiety, Autism, and working with siblings, Delyse brings both personal and professional experience to her advocacy work. Her unique perspective as both an educator and a parent living alongside additional needs allows her to connect authentically with families.

Resources Mentioned
•       WA Mental Health Association: Resources on staying calm in challenging situations — www.mhc.wa.gov.au

•       Delyse Clayden — Disability Advocate

Connect With Us

•       Follow She Speaks on Instagram: @shespeakswellbeingstrategies

•       Visit our website: www.shespeakswellbeing.com

A Note on Wellbeing

She Speaks is dedicated to amplifying women's voices on self-care and wellbeing. While we share personal experiences and practical strategies, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner.