In this episode, Andryanna sits down with Shannon Kalinka from Keep It Playful Parenting for a deeply validating and practical conversation about ADHD in children, nervous system regulation, emotional overload, meltdowns, transitions, and what parents are often misunderstanding about ADHD behaviour.
Shannon shares both her professional expertise in child development and her lived experience as a parent diagnosed with ADHD later in life after raising two daughters with ADHD. Together, they unpack the daily friction points so many families experience and explain what is actually happening beneath behaviours that are often labeled as defiance, laziness, overreacting, or “not listening.”
The conversation explores ADHD in girls versus boys, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), why direct requests often backfire, why transitions are so difficult, and how play, connection, co-regulation, and nervous system support can dramatically shift family dynamics.
In this episode:
- Common misconceptions about ADHD behaviour
- ADHD in girls vs boys and why it’s often missed in girls
- Why ADHD kids don’t need to “try harder”
- What’s actually happening when kids say “just a minute”
- Why direct commands often increase resistance
- How to reduce friction around transitions
- The difference between meltdowns and purposeful misbehaviour
- Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) explained
- How play supports regulation and cooperation
- Parenting shifts that help ADHD kids feel supported instead of shamed
- Practical tools parents can start using immediately
CONNECT WITH SHANNON:
On Instagram
Download The Play Lab Playbook
Download The Toy & Activity Menu
Substack: https://substack.com/@keepitplayfulparenting
CONNECT WITH ANDRYANNA:
Get your copy of The Juggle is Real: Authentic Self-Care Planner Vol. 2 HERE!
On Instagram
Email: hello@andryanna.com
And please visit Andryanna.com for blogs, giveaways, workshops, tools, resources and more.
Keywords: ADHD parenting, ADHD in children, ADHD in girls, rejection sensitive dysphoria, RSD ADHD, ADHD meltdowns, ADHD emotional regulation, parenting ADHD kids, neurodivergent parenting, ADHD support for parents, ADHD behaviour, ADHD and transitions, ADHD nervous system, ADHD parenting strategies, emotional dysregulation ADHD, ADHD and play, ADHD and emotional sensitivity, ADHD podcast, parenting support, neurodivergent children
