If you’re raising a child with ADHD, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve accidentally become their executive function.
You’re checking the homework. Remembering the deadlines. Finding the missing assignments. Packing the backpack. Watching the grades. Reminding them about the thing you already reminded them about twelve times.
But how do we help ADHD kids succeed in school without managing every single thing for them?
This week on Chaos & Caffeine, Danielle Kelly talks with Diane Dempster, co-founder of ImpactParents and professional coach, about helping neurodivergent kids build executive functioning skills, independence, and confidence at school and at home.
We’re getting into the messy stuff: when helping becomes rescuing, how to shift from managing to coaching, when to let kids experience natural consequences, how to hand responsibilities back without setting them up to fail, and why ADHD parents so often end up completely burned out during the school year.
Because the goal isn’t to raise a kid who never forgets an assignment, loses something, or struggles.
It’s to raise a kid who eventually knows what to do when they do.
Connect with Diane 👉 Impact Parents
This Month's Sponsors:
🌎 bina school
A small, global online school built for kids who need learning to be more flexible, personalized, and human.
🔬 Kodo Kids
Open-ended, sensory-rich play materials that let neurodivergent kids explore, experiment, and learn in the ways that work for their brains.
🧱 Cubles
Recyclable building sets that transform flat pieces into 3D creations—keeping busy hands building and brilliant brains creating.
🩵 Parker & Talia
Sensory-friendly clothing and socks made for kids who can’t just “ignore” the tag, seam, texture, or waistband.
🎓 Inclusive Expectations
Special education advocacy and personalized support helping parents navigate IEPs, school meetings, and accommodations with more confidence.
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.
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📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
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Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.
