Are your afternoons filled with gaming, only for bedtime to turn into a wrestling match with your child’s brain? In this no-BS episode, I’m going deep (with laughs and tears) into how screen time, sleep routines, and physical activity are the secret levers behind ADHD symptoms.

I share a raw story from my own home—how two hours of gaming ruined bedtime, and how a simple bike ride or soccer kick fixes it. Then I drop the science:
• Why 4+ hours of screen time is a red flag for ADHD, anxiety & behavior problems
• How movement—especially skill-based activity—is literally brain medicine for ADHD
• Why consistent sleep routines are your covert weapon
• How parenting style (gentle, directive, not drill sergeant) can buffer symptoms

You’ll walk away with actionable strategies (no fluff) to tweak your child’s routines starting tonight, plus mindset shifts so you don’t lose your sanity fighting every bedtime. This episode is your blueprint for rescuing evenings, saving sleep, and giving your ADHD child a fighting shot.

Tune in if you’re an ADHD parent who is done with chaos and ready for real help—but still laughs at your own mess.

Resources mentioned 👉 Bark Parental Controls

Let’s get your kid (and your brain) off the hamster wheel.

Hosted by Danielle, on Chaos & Caffeine—your ADHD parenting lifeline.

This Month’s Sponsors:

👩🏼‍⚕️ Dr. Lorian Phillips

Dr. Phillips helps families ditch the chaos and build calm through emotional regulation and practical tools that actually work in real life (you know, the life with homework battles, missing shoes, and bedtime meltdowns). Learn more about her ADHD Parenting Course and how she helps families thrive!

🪀 Play Therapy Supply

A longtime favorite of parents, teachers, and therapists who want kids to have the tools they need to regulate, focus, and thrive. From fidgets and sensory tools to calming corner essentials, therapeutic games, and classic sand play, they’ve got everything to support kids both at home and in the classroom.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com

Support the show

Parenting ADHD is messy, imperfect, and full of mistakes you wish you could undo. In this raw, unfiltered episode of Chaos & Caffeine, host Danielle Kelly shares the biggest ADHD parenting fails she regrets—impatience, homework wars, punishment flops, diet traps, comparison spirals, bribery gone wrong, and more.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about honesty, solidarity, and learning together. From meltdowns in Target to failed screen bans and creating a “tiny mob boss” through too many bribes, Danielle opens up about the mistakes that made her a more compassionate, informed ADHD mom.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I screwing this all up?” this episode is for you. You’ll laugh, cringe, and most importantly—you’ll feel less alone. ADHD parenting doesn’t need perfect parents. It needs parents willing to try again.

☕ Tune in for relatable ADHD parenting stories, hard-earned lessons, and tips you can actually use—because laughter is cheaper than therapy, and solidarity is everything.

This Month’s Sponsors:

👩🏼‍⚕️ Dr. Lorian Phillips

Dr. Phillips helps families ditch the chaos and build calm through emotional regulation and practical tools that actually work in real life (you know, the life with homework battles, missing shoes, and bedtime meltdowns). Learn more about her ADHD Parenting Course and how she helps families thrive!

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

🪀 Play Therapy Supply

A longtime favorite of parents, teachers, and therapists who want kids to have the tools they need to regulate, focus, and thrive. From fidgets and sensory tools to calming corner essentials, therapeutic games, and classic sand play, they’ve got everything to support kids both at home and in the classroom.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

If you’ve ever ugly-cried in your car after an IEP meeting—welcome, you’re in the right place.

Today on Chaos & Caffeine, I’m joined by Tonya Wollum, founder of Water Prairie
and host of the Water Prairie Chronicles Podcast. Tonya is a powerhouse advocate for parents raising neurodivergent kids—from ADHD to autism and everything in between. She’s on a mission to arm families with the tools, confidence, and community they need to not just survive the education system, but to flip the script and thrive in it.

We’re digging into:

• How to walk into IEP meetings without fear (and walk out with actual results).
• The biggest mistakes parents make when advocating for ADHD & neurodivergent kids—and how to fix them.
• Tonya’s real-life stories that prove you are absolutely NOT alone in this.
• Practical, doable strategies to help your child shine—without burning yourself out.

This is the pep talk, strategy guide, and big-sister hug every ADHD parent needs. So grab your coffee, toss the guilt, and let’s get into it.

👉 Learn more about Tonya and her incredible resources at WaterPrairie.com

Subscribe, share, and join me in turning homework chaos into something manageable—maybe even fun.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

It’s back-to-school season… which means the emails, the phone calls, and the “your child is struggling” meetings are about to roll in. And if you’ve got an ADHD kiddo, or even a suspected ADHD kiddo, this season can feel like diagnosis season on steroids.

Recently, one of our Chaos Crew got a little offended when I called it “ADHD diagnosis season” on social media. And listen, I’m not here to water down the chaos or rebrand myself into Pinterest-perfect parenting. But I am here to talk about what’s really going down this time of year—and why so many parents (myself included once upon a time) completely miss the signs before school starts shining a blinding spotlight on them.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• The ADHD symptoms I missed before my kiddo started school (meltdowns, outbursts, social struggles, and all the in-between).
• The red flags teachers are trained to spot—and why you might get “that” call or email in the next few weeks.
• Why this season feels overwhelming (hint: it’s not just you).
• And how to make sense of it all without losing your mind in the carpool line.

Grab your coffee, babe. You’re gonna need it for this one.

👉 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Taking Charge of ADHD by Dr. Russell Barkley
• Mindful Parenting for ADHD by Dr. Mark Bertin

If this episode felt like a lifeline, share it with your favorite mom-friend drowning in school emails. And if you’re new here—welcome to the Chaos Crew.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

If you’re raising a differently wired child — ADHD, autism, gifted, learning differences, or anything that makes them zig when the world zags — today’s episode is going to feel like a giant exhale.

Danielle sits down with the legendary Debbie Reber, founder of Tilt Parenting, host of the Tilt Parenting Podcast, and author of the bestselling book Differently Wired. Together, they dive deep into what it really means to parent kids who don’t fit inside the “typical” box — and why that’s not a problem, but a power.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why Debbie created the Tilt Parenting movement and how it’s helping thousands of families raising ADHD and differently wired kids
• What parents need to hear on the hardest days of raising kids with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergences
• How to reframe parenting challenges into opportunities for connection and growth
• AND (the best part!) how you can read Differently Wired with Debbie herself in her upcoming book club

Whether you’re knee-deep in meltdowns, battling school systems, or just craving reassurance that your kid is exactly who they’re meant to be, this episode is your permission slip to exhale and keep going.

Connect with Debbie and join the book club! 👉 https://tiltparenting.com/bookclub

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

🪀 Play Therapy Supply

A longtime favorite of parents, teachers, and therapists who want kids to have the tools they need to regulate, focus, and thrive. From fidgets and sensory tools to calming corner essentials, therapeutic games, and classic sand play, they’ve got everything to support kids both at home and in the classroom.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Homework meltdowns. Reading tears. Science projects that somehow turn into family therapy sessions. If you’re parenting a child with ADHD (or any neurodivergent learner), you know the school grind can feel impossible.

But what if you had a tool that could scaffold your child’s learning without you losing your mind? In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, I’m diving into how parents can use AI tutors and tools like StudySim to support struggling students—especially kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and executive function challenges.

I’ll share the real story of how I used AI to help my own struggling reader this summer (spoiler: it was a game-changer), plus:
✅ How to personalize comprehension questions and vocab lists with AI
✅ The boundaries parents need to set so kids don’t over-rely on tech
✅ Quick AI “homework hacks” you can try tonight without a learning curve
✅ Why AI isn’t cheating—it’s scaffolding for kids who learn differently

Whether your child battles spelling tests, word problems, or chapter books, AI can be the extra cup of coffee you need to survive homework hour. It won’t replace parenting—but it might just save your sanity.

👉 Featured Tool: StudySim
– an AI-powered platform that adapts to your child’s needs, helping them study smarter (and calmer).

Subscribe, share, and join me in turning homework chaos into something manageable—maybe even fun.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Are you exhausted from the daily battles, meltdowns, and power struggles of ADHD parenting? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep white-knuckling it through the chaos. In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle sits down with ADHD parenting coach and counselor Randy Free, creator of the PEACE-ful Parenting Process, to talk about practical, real-world strategies that actually work for neurodivergent families.

Randy brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent raising kids with ADHD into thriving adults. Together, we unpack why punishment doesn’t work for ADHD kids, how to move from constant conflict to real connection, and the step-by-step PEACE framework: Perspective, Ease, Attune, Connect, Empower.

If you’re ready to swap meltdowns for meaningful moments and raise emotionally resilient kids without losing your mind, this episode is your permission slip to parent differently—and finally breathe again.

👉 Learn more about Randy Free and his work: Coach to Resilience

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

Join Our Newsletter and Find All of Our Faves!

Products mentioned:

1. Visual Schedule Board
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
3. Reusable Snack Bags
4. Magnetic Kitchen Timer
5. Insulated Lunch Box
6. Parent Sanity Pick: The Holy Grail Travel Mug
7. BONUS Impact Parents

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

Back-to-school season is basically the Olympics for ADHD families — new routines, new supplies, and about 4,000 chances for meltdowns before the first bell even rings. In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine, I’m breaking down my top ADHD-friendly back-to-school tips plus my must-have picks for kids and parents that will actually save your sanity.

We’ll cover:
☕ ADHD parenting hacks that make mornings less chaotic
🎒 Smart tools that help ADHD kids thrive in class (and at home)
💡 My go-to resources for parents, including Impact Parents, the ultimate guide for navigating school meetings, IEPs, and ADHD struggles without losing your mind

PLUS — I’ve got a bonus pick just for parents that will help you feel supported and seen in this whole ADHD parenting journey.

✨ Want even more? Grab my 10-Day ADHD Back-to-School Challenge — a fun, daily game you can play with your child to build routines, boost skills, and get school-ready without the power struggles. [Insert link here]

If you’ve ever wished back-to-school came with a survival kit for ADHD families… this episode is it.

This Month’s Sponsors:

✨PTS Coaching

Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.

💊 NeuroNeeds

A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.

Resources:

All our faves!

Products mentioned:

1. Visual Schedule Board
2. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
3. Reusable Snack Bags
4. Magnetic Kitchen Timer
5. Insulated Lunch Box
6. Parent Sanity Pick: The Holy Grail Travel Mug
7. BONUS Impact Parents

📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show