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!

We may all think and process information differently, but it’s true that some diagnoses make parenting feel a lot more difficult on a day-to-day basis.

You’ll receive a heavy dose of empathy and understanding from this interview, along with some very practical strategies to create an environment in which your children can thrive.

Ginny and I talked about:

• How ND kids struggle with executive function, big emotions, and emotional regulation, but can often be gifted with exceptional creativity, intellect, and problem-solving abilities.
• Why “routines” include both structure and flexibility
• Silver linings and signs you need to get kids to clean the bathroom
• Why a growth mindset must be in your toolbox
• The beauty of suffering, how to infuse challenges with meaning
• Where to find role models with differently wired brains for your kids!

Resources We Mention for Neurodivergent Parenting

• Register for #LifeSkillsNow
• Ginny uses Ellyn Satter's division of responsibility
• Get my best tips for picky eaters here
• Ginny has a list of saints who had some type of neurodivergence
• Get Ginny's books
  • Blink and We'll Miss It: Amazon, Bookshop
  • God's Kintsugi: Amazon, Bookshop
• Find Ginny online: Quirky Catholic Kids, GinnyKochis.com
• Follow her on

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!

We tend to think of "eyesight" as just needing glasses or not. But what if I told you that vision is actually a brain function, and if our kids are struggling visually, it could be impacting their learning, attention, and even behavior?

In our chat, Dr. B doesn’t just talk science — he gives us practical tips that any parent can use to support healthy vision for kids, especially in our screen-soaked world. He unpacks the sneaky signs of vision issues, why screen time isn’t just an eye problem, and what we can actually do about it.

But here’s what might surprise you…

• Many children are misdiagnosed with attention issues when the root problem is vision-related.
• Eyesight and vision aren’t the same thing (and that distinction is life-changing).
• The rise in screen time is truly affecting how our kids’ eyes — and brains — develop.
• There’s a simple at-home test you can do to check for red flags in your child’s vision.
• Vision therapy is not just for kids with glasses — it’s for brains that need support.
• Outdoor time isn’t just "nice" — it’s necessary for strong visual development.
• Functional eye doctors approach vision differently, and it’s exactly what so many kids need.
• And yes, the 20-20-20 rule? It’s real, simple, and super helpful!

We also talk blue light, digital performance glasses, and how to balance a tech-filled life without turning into a screen-time tyrant. 😉

So if you’re ready to understand what’s really going on behind your child’s eyes — and empower yourself with tools to help them thrive — don’t miss this one.

Resources We Mentioned for Healthy Vision

• Check out #LifeSkillsNow totally free right here.
• Try out ScreenFit for your family (get a discount with code "KCRF")
• How vision problems can be misdiagnosed as ADHD
• Here is the directory of eye doctors Dr. B mentioned
• Here's my review of the best blue light glasses I've found
• Find Dr. B online
• Follow him on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok

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!

Raise your hand if you love money!

But…raise your hand if you DON’T love figuring out what to DO with your money, spending too much money, or not having enough money?

That’s Brad Nelson’s mission as Debt Free Dad - to help normal everyday people take control of their finances so they can live a happier less stressful life.

We dig into a lot of practical and philosophical tips, including:

• First steps to get out of debt
• How to STAY out of debt in the first place
• Letting go of limiting beliefs
• Creating a “debt is bad” mindset - for the wrong kind of debt
• Getting more time freedom in your life – because time is the one thing we never get back!
• We dig into how to teach kids and teens about finances too: “We have to teach our kids what debt is and the risk it can have on your life and the choices you make…”
• Why financial health is a daily commitment

Brad is one of our valued #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leaders, teaching teens and tweens about the real cost of “convenience” and what compound interest can do for our high school kids. It’s phenomenal! My own kids and other teen testers were blown away.

Check out #LifeSkillsNow totally free right here.

Resources We Mention for Teaching Kids About Debt

• Check out #LifeSkillsNow totally free right here!
• The book Brad mentioned: Top Five Regrets of the Dying
• Rocket Money can help you get rid of subscriptions
• Check out Brad's free video to help you reduce financial stress
• Find Brad online
• Follow him on social media: Facebook, TikTok, Instagram

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!

Today I'm doing something completely new! It's a podcast swap! Here is an episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast with Hunter Clarke-Fields.

It's the third of a three-part series so definitely go check that out when you're done with this one!

Find Hunter Online

Follow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

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!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever yelled or lost your cool as a parent.

Keep that hand up if you thought you would never yell as a parent.

I know, right?

It’s the story of many who go on to be mindful or positive or grounded parenting experts. “I never thought I would…”

Me neither!

That means we need tools, and today’s guest will give you some powerful ones in the form of mindfulness for parents.

Resources We Mention for Parenting Without Yelling

• Get Hunter's books:
  • Raising Good Humans: Amazon, Bookshop
  • Raising Good Humans Every Day: Amazon, Bookshop
  • Raising Good Humans Guided Journal: Amazon, Bookshop
• Mindful Mama Mentor
• Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
• Hunter's free guide to repair the relationship after yelling
• Hunter's "Stop Yelling Formula"
• Learn more about the lizard and monkey brain states

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!