Episode 230: “Supermom” to Supported: Parenting Complex Kids Without Burning Out with Diane Dempster

Parenting “complex kids” is… a lot. ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, emotional dysregulation, big feelings, big talents, and a million moving parts. 

It’s no wonder so many parents end up feeling like exhausted, overwhelmed “Supermoms” (or dads) who are doing everything for everyone and still wondering why it’s not working.

In this episode, Theresa sits down with Diane Dempster, co-founder, coach, and COO at Impact Parents, to talk about what it really means to raise complex kids in a neuro-informed way. 

Diane shares her story as a self-described “recovering yelling mom,” how coaching transformed her parenting, and why our kids’ brains don’t always respond to the typical parenting formulas we’re handed.

Together, they unpack:

• Why strategies like “1-2-3 Magic” often don’t work consistently for kids with ADHD and executive function challenges
• The difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergent, and why stress and overwhelm can make any brain look “neuro spicy”
• How to think in terms of realistic expectations (including the “3–5 year delay” in executive function)
• Diane’s ACTION model and “relationship-first” approach to parenting
• A live coaching example using Theresa’s real-life dinner time struggles with her four ADHD kids

You’ll also hear practical ideas for transitions (like getting kids off screens and to the dinner table without constant meltdowns), why collaboration matters more than control, and how to support your child’s agency without abandoning them to figure it all out alone.

If you’re parenting a complex kid and have ever thought, “Why does this work one day and not the next?” or “Why can’t we just have a normal dinner?”, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. ❤️