ADHD is not just an attention disorder; it's an executive functioning disorder.

The myths abound!

If you’ve always thought of kids with ADHD as those who struggle in school, think again.

If you expect ADHD kids to have trouble focusing, wrong again.

If you think kids with ADHD are destined to struggle more throughout life, Mike McLeod is here to tell you that ADHD is not a limitation, just a different path.

The ADHD brain is truly different from neurotypical brains, although some truths apply to both groups, like:

• Children learn best through play and unstructured time.
• Outdoor play is vital for developing real-world skills.
• Boredom is essential for self-regulation and creativity.
• Cooking teaches kids self-sufficiency and life skills.
• Unstructured time is crucial for children's development.
• Parents should set high expectations for their children.
• Removing screens can reveal hidden talents in kids.
• Parents need to place more importance on chores & balancing structure and freedom.

Parents of kids with or without ADHD need the information in this episode, but especially stuff like this:

• Screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, but it does not cause ADHD.
• The ADHD brain struggles with self-regulation and motivation for NON-preferred tasks.
• Varied experiences are vital for skill development.
• Executive functions are crucial for success in life.

I love Mike’s energy and expertise, like sitting at the feet of a master. What an honor to work with him both for this podcast and as a #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leader! Your whole family can learn more about the power of “varied experiences” in his #LifeSkillsNow workshop this summer. Register here!

Resources We Mentioned for ADHD Myths

• Register now for season 4 of #LifeSkillsNow summer camp!
• Interviews I've done on ADHD: Does ADHD always mean medication? and Practical Solutions for ADHD
• Find Mike online: GrowNOW ADHD
• Instagram, Facebook

Join us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4!

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Emily’s stories are going to get your head nodding in empathy and connection - we’ve all been there with the kid who just will NOT put their shoes on, brush their teeth, or do as we ask!

If you’ve ever felt the guilt after exploding all over your kids, those little beings you LOVE so much, you need this interview.

We talk all about emotional regulation, how moms need to work on their own big emotions so that they can better help their kids, and how to raise emotionally healthy families. Today, we touch on:

• Motherhood is no joke! It’s way harder than it looks from the outside, especially when your own emotions get involved.
• In the heat of a meltdown, kids aren’t being “bad,” they’re stuck in their emotional brain, not their thinking brain.
• There’s no perfect time to work on emotional growth. Start where you are.
• Getting support isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
• Kids learn emotional regulation by watching us. Imperfect parenting still teaches powerful lessons when we’re honest and intentional.
• Raising critical thinkers and independent problem-solvers starts with slowing down, naming emotions, and solving problems with our kids.

Before you hit play on this interview, sign up for our free #LifeSkillsNow virtual summer camp to see more of Emily!

Resources We Mention for Emotional Regulation

• sign up for our free #LifeSkillsNow virtual summer camp to see more of Emily!
• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
• The kitchen is a good place to build social emotional skills
• The Explosive Child by Ross Green
• Find Emily online
• Follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook
• Listen to her podcast
• Emily's free masterclass on Emotional Regulation for Neurodivergent Kids

Join us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4!

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

If you’ve ever passed kefir in the grocery store and wondered, “Is that stuff actually good for you?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who shares how this tangy, probiotic-rich drink became a lifeline for her immigrant family—and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness.

Julie dives into the science behind fermented foods, the gut-brain connection, and why kefir might be one of the most underrated health foods on your shelf. We also talk mom-to-mom about raising adventurous eaters, the role of dairy in women’s health, and the importance of modeling self-care for our kids.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why kefir supports gut health, immunity, and even mental health
• How fermented dairy reduces inflammation, and why that matters
• What women should know before cutting dairy from their diet
• How to introduce kids to kefir and other healthy foods
• Why kefir is 99% lactose-free (yes, even for sensitive stomachs)
• How food, family, and culture shape our health journeys
• Practical self-care tips for busy parents

Whether you're curious about the benefits of kefir or looking for real-life tips on raising healthy kids, this conversation will leave you inspired.

Resources We Mention for a Healthy Lifestyle

• Sign up for #LifeSkillsNow Season 4
• Information on Dr. Elie Metchnikoff's studies on fermented milk and kefir from 1904
• Read more about the effects of antibacterial everything
• Here's a study on fermented milk and colon cancer
• A kid's perspective on going dairy-free
• Find Lifeway online
• Follow Julie on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn
• Check out Julie's cookbook: The Kefir Cookbook: Amazon, Bookshop, eBook

Join us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4!

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!