If school mornings in your house feel like a high-stakes obstacle course — socks missing, bags unpacked, emotions running high — this episode will feel like a deep breath you didn’t know you needed.

Jane is joined by Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about how to survive those brutal pre-school hours without burning every ounce of patience you have before 9am. This isn’t about colour-coded charts or impossible routines — it’s about understanding ADHD brains, setting realistic expectations, and making mornings less about conflict and more about connection.

Sharon shares her game-changing tips for managing transitions, reducing overwhelm, and creating a morning rhythm that actually works for neurodivergent kids (and parents). Expect real-life stories, scripts you can try tomorrow, and the relief of knowing you’re not the only family wrestling with mismatched socks at the worst possible time.

In This Episode
Why “just get ready” doesn’t work for ADHD kids — and what to say instead
How to identify and remove the hidden triggers that derail mornings
The one small change that can stop meltdowns before they start
Why your own regulation matters more than your schedule
How to use connection as a tool (without adding to your mental load)
Rethinking reward charts, punishments, and morning “discipline”

This Episode Is For You If

– You dread the school run before you’ve even opened your eyes
– Your mornings are a mix of tears, yelling, and frantic searches for missing shoes
– You want calmer starts without sacrificing your sanity

About Sharon Collon

Sharon is the founder of The Functional Family, helping families with ADHD create systems that work in the real world.
🌐 Website: thefunctionalfamily.com

 📸 Instagram: @thefunctionalfamily

Related Episodes
S1 E34: Being Neurotypical in a Relationship with an ADHD Person
 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts
S1 E42: ADHD and Parenting
 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts

JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!

FOLLOW FOR MORE:

Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube

LEAVE A REVIEW:

Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.

COLLABS:

For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at jane@adhdmums.com.au.

MORE RESOURCES:

Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE

ADHD school mornings, parenting burnout, neurodivergent routines, emotional regulation, school run stress, ADHD parenting tips, transitions for ADHD kids, low-demand mornings, connection before compliance, realistic family systems, executive function support, parenting scripts, reducing morning meltdowns, ADHD-friendly routines, self-regulation strategies, school preparation tips, functional family systems, neuroaffirming parenting, behaviour without punishment, practical ADHD strategies.

If school mornings in your house feel like a high-stakes obstacle course &mdash; socks missing, bags unpacked, emotions running high &mdash; this episode will feel like a deep breath you didn&rsquo;t know you needed.
Jane is joined by Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about how to survive those brutal pre-school hours without burning every ounce of patience you have before 9am. This isn&rsquo;t about colour-coded charts or impossible routines &mdash; it&rsquo;s about understanding ADHD brains, setting realistic expectations, and making mornings less about conflict and more about connection.
Sharon shares her game-changing tips for managing transitions, reducing overwhelm, and creating a morning rhythm that actually works for neurodivergent kids (and parents). Expect real-life stories, scripts you can try tomorrow, and the relief of knowing you&rsquo;re not the only family wrestling with mismatched socks at the worst possible time.
In This Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;just get ready&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t work for ADHD kids &mdash; and what to say instead</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to identify and remove the hidden triggers that derail mornings</li>
<li aria-level="1">The one small change that can stop meltdowns before they start</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why your own regulation matters more than your schedule</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to use connection as a tool (without adding to your mental load)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rethinking reward charts, punishments, and morning &ldquo;discipline&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
This Episode Is For You If
&ndash; You dread the school run before you&rsquo;ve even opened your eyes &ndash; Your mornings are a mix of tears, yelling, and frantic searches for missing shoes &ndash; You want calmer starts without sacrificing your sanity
About Sharon Collon
Sharon is the founder of The Functional Family, helping families with ADHD create systems that work in the real world. 🌐 Website:<a href="https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/"> thefunctionalfamily.com</a>
&nbsp;📸 Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/"> @thefunctionalfamily</a>
Related Episodes
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">S1 E34: Being Neurotypical in a Relationship with an ADHD Person 🎧<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jSsYji6hrnVZ5rv793VlI?si=9c23b8968a1347db"> Spotify</a> |<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0leRAvx7RY6gLzUALBF3KC?si=05fd7ca85e6d4737"> Apple Podcasts</a></li>
<li>S1 E42: ADHD and Parenting 🎧<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0leRAvx7RY6gLzUALBF3KC?si=05fd7ca85e6d4737"> Spotify</a> |<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/adhd-and-parenting-with-sharon-collons/id1686843092?i=1000634703965"> Apple Podcasts</a></li>
</ul>
JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/adhdmumspodcast">here</a> and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!
FOLLOW FOR MORE:
Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://facebook.com/100091850469503/"> Facebook</a>,<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@adhdmumsaus"> TikTok</a> or<a href="https://youtube.com/channel/UCB0uYIHpFKFo6AdhQQaBr1w"> YouTube</a>
LEAVE A REVIEW:
Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let&rsquo;s spread the word and make a difference together.
COLLABS:
For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at jane@adhdmums.com.au.
MORE RESOURCES:
Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests <a href="https://adhdmums.com.au/self-tests/">here</a>.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE
ADHD school mornings, parenting burnout, neurodivergent routines, emotional regulation, school run stress, ADHD parenting tips, transitions for ADHD kids, low-demand mornings, connection before compliance, realistic family systems, executive function support, parenting scripts, reducing morning meltdowns, ADHD-friendly routines, self-regulation strategies, school preparation tips, functional family systems, neuroaffirming parenting, behaviour without punishment, practical ADHD strategies.

Welcome to The ADHD MUMS Podcast, a lifeline for Australian mums navigating ADHD and motherhood. Perfect for struggling, burnt out mums who want to drop perfectionism.

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