Motherhood Unmasked & Unfiltered

Ep 16 - We know each other's childhood trauma but not our favourite colour

You think you know us? Think again.
In this week's episode we're stepping away from the deep dives and getting a little personal. We asked AI to give us rapid-fire questions — then spectacularly failed at the rapid-fire part — and ended up somewhere far more honest and interesting.
From ADHD rage triggers to Disney dreams, impulsive purchases we absolutely justified, the tortured artists we tried to fix, and the things we actually want our daughters to remember us for. This one's lighter, warmer, and honestly? A little unhinged in the best way.
We also get into: what our ADHD brains do with "free time" (spoiler: not relax), how neurodivergent women tend to attract the wrong kind of fixer-upper, and why one of us just bought a treadmill after telling a story about buying a treadmill.
In this episode:
→ ADHD rage triggers that make zero sense (but make total sense)→ The impulsive purchases we are still defending→ What Hogwarts house we'd be in + which Disney princess→ Why a child-free day still ends in life admin→ Relationships, masking and the "I can fix him" era→ What we want our daughters to remember us for→ Travel, bucket lists, and the Ritz Carlton Disney tour→ First loves, famous quotes, and one very unexpected quote correction
Send us your questions for the next round — we want to find things we don't already know about each other.
🎧 New episodes every Thursday. Follow so you never miss one.

Episode 15 - The hormone stuff IS the ADHD stuff

Is It PMS… or Is Something Else Going On?
Have you ever felt like you become a completely different person for one or two weeks every month?
Maybe you're more emotional, more reactive, more overwhelmed, less productive, or struggling with rage, anxiety or depression that seems to disappear almost as quickly as it arrives.
In this episode, Alisha and Rhiannon dive into the growing body of research exploring the connection between ADHD, hormones, PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), perimenopause and emotional wellbeing.
The conversation begins with a raw and honest discussion about parenting through illness, overwhelm and emotional exhaustion before exploring why many neurodivergent women may be experiencing hormone-related challenges that have been dismissed, misunderstood or misdiagnosed for years.
The episode also unpacks a recent study involving more than 600 women that found significantly higher rates of menstrual irregularities, severe PMS symptoms, postpartum depression and menopausal symptoms among women with ADHD.
Most importantly, it's a conversation about understanding yourself better, advocating for your health, and recognising that suffering through hormonal symptoms isn't something you simply have to accept.
💡 What We Talk About in This Episode
• Parenting through overwhelm, sickness and emotional exhaustion• The importance of self-awareness and self-compassion• What PMDD actually is (and how it's different from PMS)• Why ADHD and hormones are not separate conversations• The luteal phase and how it can impact mood, energy and executive functioning• Why ADHD medication can feel less effective at certain times of the month• Tracking your cycle, moods and energy levels• Perimenopause and hormonal changes in women over 35• The latest research linking ADHD and hormonal health• Different treatment options that women are exploring• Learning to work with your body instead of against it• Why "normal" doesn't always mean healthy
🧠 What Is PMDD?
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a recognised clinical diagnosis that goes far beyond typical PMS. While PMS may involve symptoms such as bloating, sore breasts and irritability, PMDD is characterised by much more severe emotional and psychological symptoms.
These can include:
Intense mood swings
Severe anxiety
Depression
Rage
Feelings of hopelessness
Suicidal ideation
Significant impacts on daily functioning
A key feature is that symptoms typically occur during the luteal phase (the one to two weeks before a period) and often improve rapidly once menstruation begins.
📊 The Research We Discuss
A recent study published in Archives of Women's Mental Health examined over 600 women, including 377 women with ADHD and 225 women without ADHD. The average participant age was 39 years.
Researchers found that women with ADHD experienced:
More menstrual irregularities
More severe PMS symptoms
Higher rates of postpartum depression
Increased pregnancy complications
More severe menopausal symptoms
Greater hormonal challenges across every stage measured
The findings support what many neurodivergent women have reported anecdotally for years: hormones can significantly influence ADHD symptoms and overall wellbeing.
🔑 Key Takeaways
1. Hormones and ADHD Are Deeply Connected
Many women notice changes in focus, motivation, emotional regulation and executive functioning throughout their cycle. These changes are not "all in your head."
2. Tracking Matters
You don't need to obsessively monitor every symptom, but paying attention to patterns can provide valuable insights into your moods, productivity, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
3. Your Experience Is Valid Information
If you repeatedly notice severe mood changes, overwhelming emotions or significant fluctuations in functioning, those experiences are worth investigating.
4. There Are Treatment Options
Different women respond differently to various approaches, including medication adjustments, hormonal treatments, antidepressants, lifestyle strategies and cycle-aware planning.
5. You Don't Need to Suffer in Silence
Just because something is common doesn't mean it's normal or something you should simply endure.
❤️ A Conversation About Self-Compassion
One of the most powerful themes throughout this episode is the reminder that understanding ourselves allows us to be kinder to ourselves.
Whether it's recognising when you're overstimulated, identifying hormonal patterns, understanding your ADHD, or simply acknowledging that you're exhausted, awareness creates opportunities to make different choices.
Sometimes the goal isn't perfection.
Sometimes the goal is recognising what you need before you reach breaking point.
👩‍👧 Parenting, Emotional Regulation & Real Life
The episode opens with a candid discussion about parenting through a difficult weekend, highlighting something many parents experience:
Sometimes both parent and child are struggling at the same time.
Alisha shares how recognising her own needs allowed her to make a decision that supported both herself and her daughter, rather than forcing herself to push through and mask her feelings.
It's a powerful reminder that looking after yourself is not selfish—it often allows you to show up more effectively for your children.
🎯 Questions to Reflect On
Do you notice patterns in your mood throughout your cycle?
Are there times of the month when your ADHD symptoms feel worse?
What situations consistently leave you overstimulated?
How might tracking your energy, emotions or cycle help you understand yourself better?
Where could you offer yourself more compassion?
👩‍⚕️ Important Note
This episode is based on personal experiences and discussion of emerging research. It is not medical advice.
If you're experiencing severe mood changes, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for more honest conversations about:
ADHD in women
Autism and neurodivergence
Hormones and mental health
Parenting
Emotional wellbeing
Self-compassion and self-discovery
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly conversations about:
• ADHD and autism in women• Neurodivergent parenting• Hormones and mental health• Perimenopause and women's health• Real life motherhood• Friendship, growth and self-awareness
New episodes every Thursday.
💥 Episode Highlights
The parenting breakthrough that came from recognising personal limits
Why PMDD is far more than "bad PMS"
The ADHD-hormone connection many women never hear about
A major study examining ADHD across the female hormonal lifespan
Why ADHD medication may feel different throughout your cycle
Exploring treatment options without shame
Learning to identify patterns instead of blaming yourself
The importance of advocating for your health

Episode 14 - Sparkle Spikes & Turdy

What Bali Taught Us About Parenting, Neurodivergence & Letting Go
Fresh off the annual Solo Mum Society Bali trip, Alisha and Rhiannon sit down for an honest post-holiday debrief.
What started as a conversation about forgotten chargers, unnecessary scooters and overpacked suitcases quickly became a much deeper discussion about neurodivergence, parenting expectations, mum guilt and what children actually need from a family holiday.
This year’s trip looked very different from previous years. With an all-inclusive resort, kids club, nightly shows and dozens of solo mums and children spending time together, there were plenty of opportunities to learn what worked, what didn’t, and what they'll be doing differently next time.
Alisha shares her struggle with feeling guilty about using kids club while balancing work commitments, while Rhiannon offers a different perspective: what if the kids were genuinely having the time of their lives?
Together they explore:
Why parents often create pressure around "quality time"
The reality of travelling with neurodivergent children
How overstimulation affects both adults and kids
Why holidays don't always look the way we imagine
The importance of flexibility and adjusting expectations
What happens when routines disappear
Learning to trust that children can enjoy experiences differently from us
The episode is packed with funny travel stories, practical lessons and relatable moments for any parent who has ever planned the perfect holiday only to discover their child had a completely different idea of what fun looks like.
💡 What We Talk About in This Episode
• The Solo Mum Society Bali trip debrief• What we packed but never used• The items we forgot and wished we'd brought• Overpacking, underpacking and ADHD travel habits• Why kids club became one of the children's favourite experiences• Mum guilt and balancing work while travelling with children• Neurodivergence, overstimulation and holiday overwhelm• The importance of realistic expectations on family holidays• Sleepovers, chosen family and travelling with close friends• Miscommunication, language barriers and travel logistics• The hilarious time-zone mix-up that nearly caused panic on day one• Why flexibility often creates better holidays than rigid plans
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Children often define a successful holiday very differently from adults.
• Parents frequently put pressure on themselves to create "perfect" family moments that their children may not even want.
• Kids club isn't a sign of poor parenting—it can be one of the highlights of a child's holiday experience.
• Neurodivergent adults and children can become overstimulated by exciting experiences just as much as stressful ones.
• Holidays often require letting go of expectations and responding to what's actually happening in front of you.
• Packing lists only work if you actually follow them.
• Sometimes the biggest lesson is discovering that your child was happier than you realised.
✈️ Travel Lessons We Learned
Things We'd Do Again
Choose family-friendly resorts
Book connecting rooms whenever possible
Use kids club without guilt
Build opportunities for children to socialise
Create flexibility rather than over-scheduling
Prioritise experiences over perfect plans
Things We'd Skip Next Time
Bringing scooters that never get used
Packing multiple "just in case" outfits
Overthinking every detail before departure
Assuming children will enjoy activities the same way adults do
Creating unnecessary pressure around holiday expectations
Practical Travel Reminders
Double-check chargers, adapters and converters
Keep a dedicated travel supplies box for future trips
Review your packing list before you leave
Allow extra time for adjustments to new environments
Remember that holiday success isn't measured by productivity
🧠 Neurodivergent Travel Insights
This episode highlights something many neurodivergent families experience:
Excitement can be just as overwhelming as stress.
When children are having the time of their lives, they're often processing huge amounts of stimulation, social interaction, change and emotion. The result can sometimes look like emotional outbursts, big feelings or unexpected behaviour.
The same is true for adults.
Whether it's navigating a new environment, managing expectations, handling logistics or simply being away from familiar routines, travel can bring both incredible joy and unexpected challenges.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
• Solo parents travelling with children• ADHD and autistic adults• Parents of neurodivergent children• Families planning holidays• Anyone who struggles with mum guilt• Parents who feel pressure to create perfect family experiences• People who overpack, overthink and still forget something important
💬 A Message From This Episode
Your child doesn't need the perfect holiday.
They don't need every minute planned, endless activities or a parent trying to manufacture magical moments.
Sometimes they just need friends, freedom, a swimming pool, an ice cream and the chance to be a kid.
And sometimes the best thing a parent can do is let go of the idea of what the holiday should look like and enjoy what it actually becomes.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for future adventures, behind-the-scenes stories and weekly conversations about motherhood, neurodivergence and real life parenting:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
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• ADHD in women• Autism and neurodivergence• Parenting without the filter• Solo motherhood• Friendship and chosen family• Travel, life and everything in between
New episodes every Thursday.
💥 Episode Highlights
The scooter that travelled internationally for absolutely no reason
The forgotten chargers and waterproof phone cases
The Bali time-zone disaster that caused an accidental wake-up call
Why kids club became a holiday highlight
The difference between parent expectations and child reality
Neurodivergent travel challenges and unexpected wins
The power of chosen family while travelling
The post-holiday lessons that will shape next year's trip

Episode 13 - I specifically trained my kid to be an iPad kid for this purpose

Packing Chaos, Airport Survival & Traveling with Neurodivergent Kids
This week, Alisha and Rhiannon are in full pre-Bali countdown mode.
With 34 solo mums and their children joining the annual Solo Mum Society Bali trip, the conversation starts exactly where you'd expect: doom piles, overpacking, last-minute hyperfocus, welcome packs, and wondering whether a third suitcase is really necessary.
But what begins as a chat about packing quickly turns into an honest and practical conversation about traveling as neurodivergent adults and raising neurodivergent children.
From airport overwhelm and sensory challenges to carry-on essentials, screen time guilt, travel anxiety, and keeping kids entertained on long-haul flights, Alisha and Rhiannon share the real-world tips they've learned through years of traveling solo with children.
They also discuss:
Why some children become anxious about flying
Airport and airplane hacks that genuinely help
Managing sensory overload while travelling
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program
Packing strategies for ADHD brains
Flying with children who need routine and predictability
Why comfort matters more than looking put together
The travel gear they've tested (and the gear they regret buying)
Whether you're planning your first family holiday, travelling solo with kids, or simply trying to survive airport chaos without a meltdown, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of laughs.
💡 What We Talk About in This Episode
• Preparing for the Solo Mum Society Bali trip• Hyperfocus, procrastination and last-minute packing panic• Overpacking versus realistic packing• Flying with children who are anxious about airplanes• Ear pain, travel anxiety and sensory concerns• Carry-on essentials that actually matter• Why snacks solve almost everything• iPads, screen time and long-haul flights• Airport hacks for neurodivergent families• The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard• Compression socks, travel pillows and comfort strategies• Travel prams, ride-on suitcases and luggage recommendations• Choosing seats on planes with children• How to make travelling easier for yourself, not harder
🔑 Key Takeaways
• The best packing strategy is often comfort over perfection.
• Travelling with children becomes easier when you stop trying to entertain them with 50 different activities and focus on what actually works.
• Snacks can solve more travel problems than most parenting books.
• Neurodivergent travellers often benefit from planning for sensory comfort before problems arise.
• Airport stress is often reduced when systems are simplified and hands are kept as free as possible.
• There is no prize for travelling uncomfortably. Pack the pillow, blanket, headphones or support items if they help you arrive feeling better.
• The "perfect" travel setup is the one that works for your family.
✈️ Travel Hacks Mentioned
For Kids
Download favourite shows before you leave
Pack more snacks than you think you'll need
Bring familiar comfort items
Consider ear pressure aids if flying anxiety is an issue
Use activity packs, colouring or magnetic games for airport downtime
Choose flight times that work with your child's energy levels
For Parents
Wear compression socks on longer flights
Bring charging cords in your carry-on
Pack noise-cancelling headphones
Keep your hands free whenever possible
Consider luggage that opens easily during flights
Board early if it reduces stress
Prioritise comfort over appearance
For Neurodivergent Travellers
Look into the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program
Plan for sensory needs in advance
Reduce unnecessary decisions while travelling
Build recovery time into your itinerary
Give yourself permission to use accommodations that help
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
• Solo parents who travel with children• ADHD and neurodivergent parents• Families preparing for holidays• Parents of anxious travellers• Anyone who feels overwhelmed by airports• People who always pack too much and still forget something important
💬 A Message From This Episode
You don't need to be the perfectly organised traveller.
You don't need matching luggage, colour-coded packing cubes, or a Pinterest-worthy itinerary.
You just need a system that works for you, your child, and your nervous system.
Because arriving slightly overdressed, carrying too many snacks and surviving the flight is still a win.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for behind-the-scenes Bali adventures, travel updates and future episodes:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly conversations about:
• ADHD in women• Neurodivergent motherhood• Parenting without the filter• Travel and family life• Emotional regulation• Friendship, identity and community
New episodes every Thursday.

Episode 12 - I'm an excellent planner, follow through, not so much

Hyperfocus, Friendship, School Mums & The Reality of Neurodivergent Motherhood
This week is less expert advice and more of a catch-up.
The kind of catch-up where one mum accidentally loses half a day to Pinterest strategy, another starts demolishing a bathroom at 11pm, and somehow both of them end up discussing friendship, parenting, school communities and why socialising feels so complicated as a neurodivergent adult.
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon reflect on the aftermath of Lexi's birthday party, the surprisingly big emotions their daughters experienced after saying goodbye to each other, and what it looks like raising children who feel everything deeply.
They also dive into:
Hyperfocus and losing hours without realising it
Why socialising can feel exhausting even when you enjoy people
School mums, playdates and creating community
Neurodivergent friendships
Parenting emotionally intense children
Supporting kids through friendship challenges
Why finding "your people" matters so much
The difference between socialising because you want to and socialising because you feel like you should
This episode is funny, honest, completely unstructured and incredibly relatable.
Basically, exactly what happens when two neurodivergent mums sit down for a chat.
💡 What We Talk About in This Episode
• Hyperfocusing on completely the wrong thing• Late-night DIY projects and impulsive decisions• Birthday party planning and recovery• Why their daughters struggled after saying goodbye• Big emotions in neurodivergent children• School friendships and playground dynamics• Building community as a parent• Why socialising can feel so draining• The pressure of school parent culture• Playdates, birthday parties and finding your people• Neurodivergent parenting wins• Matching your child's energy instead of fighting it• Why some friendships feel easy and others feel exhausting• The invisible mental load of motherhood
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Hyperfocus isn't always productive — sometimes it's Pinterest strategies and washing Lego.
• Neurodivergent children often experience friendships and separations very intensely.
• You don't need hundreds of friends — you need the right people.
• Parenting often means pushing through your own discomfort to support your child's needs.
• Matching a child's energy can sometimes work better than trying to force them to calm down.
• Not every social event is worth your energy.
• Community matters — for both mums and kids.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
• Neurodivergent mums• Women navigating school friendships and playdates• Parents of emotionally intense children• Women who feel exhausted by socialising• ADHD and AuDHD mums• Anyone who has ever lost three hours to a random hyperfocus project
💬 A Message From This Episode
Sometimes motherhood looks like:
Having a perfectly packed lunch.
A clean kitchen.
A child who is fed and thriving.
And absolutely none of the things you actually planned to do that day.
And that's okay.
Because progress doesn't always look the way we expected it to.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for clips, conversations and weekly chaos:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
• ADHD in women• Neurodivergent motherhood• Emotional regulation• Parenting neurodivergent children• Identity, friendship and community• Real life without the filter
New episodes released every Thursday.
💥 Highlights
Hyperfocusing on Pinterest instead of the actual to-do list
Washing and sorting thousands of pieces of second-hand Lego
The emotional fallout when best friends live in different states
Why school friendships become more complicated as kids get older
Socialising as an introverted neurodivergent mum
The surprising parenting strategy that helped calm a hyper child
The difference between having lots of people around and having people who truly get you

Episode 11 - Academy Award Level Maskers

Why are so many women only discovering they’re neurodivergent later in life?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon are joined by psychiatrist Dr Clinton White to unpack what’s really happening with late ADHD and autism diagnoses in women.
From missed signs in childhood to years of being labelled with anxiety or depression, this conversation dives into how easily neurodivergence is overlooked — especially in women who have spent their lives masking, coping, and “holding it together.”
Dr White shares openly about the limitations of psychiatric training, why autism has historically been seen as a “male condition,” and how even professionals can miss it.
The conversation explores the moment everything clicks — when women receive a diagnosis and suddenly their past, behaviours, and struggles finally make sense.
“The veil of confusion about their life just lifts… and that alone changes everything.”
They also dive into common misdiagnoses, including anxiety, depression, and burnout, and explain why these are often symptoms rather than the root cause.
This episode is honest, validating, and deeply eye-opening — especially if you’ve ever felt like something didn’t quite add up.
💡 What We Talk About in This Episode
• Why ADHD and autism are often missed in women• Masking and why it hides symptoms so effectively• The emotional impact of late diagnosis• “Rewinding your life” and finally making sense of things• Why anxiety is one of the most common misdiagnoses• The limitations of psychiatric training• The difference between symptoms vs root cause• Why diagnosis alone can be life-changing• How understanding your brain removes shame• ADHD and autism as both strengths and challenges• The role of hormones and PMDD in neurodivergent women• Common co-occurring conditions (binge eating, burnout, trauma)• Why so many women are only discovering this now
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Many women diagnosed with anxiety may actually have underlying ADHD or autism • Late diagnosis often creates a powerful “everything makes sense now” moment • Masking is one of the biggest reasons neurodivergence is missed in women • Diagnosis doesn’t change who you are — it explains who you’ve always been • Shame often comes from misunderstanding, not from the behaviour itself • Many co-occurring challenges (burnout, binge eating, PMDD) are linked to neurodivergence • Awareness alone can be life-changing, even without treatment
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
• Women with ADHD• Women who suspect they may be neurodivergent• Late diagnosed ADHD or autistic women• Mums navigating overwhelm, burnout or anxiety• Women who feel like they’ve never quite fit in• Anyone questioning whether their diagnosis tells the full story
💬 A Message From This Episode
You weren’t missing something.
You weren’t failing.
You were working with a brainthat no one had properly explained to you yet.
And once you understand it?
Everything starts to shift.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow for more real, relatable conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
• ADHD in women• Autism in women• Late diagnosis• Neurodivergent motherhood• Emotional regulation• Identity and self-trust
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 10 - Not a Drama Queen, just a caveman brain

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): Why Everything Feels So Personal
Why does a delayed reply feel like rejection?Why does one comment spiral into a full identity crisis?And why do we care so much about whether people like us… even when we don’t like them?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon unpack one of the most intense and misunderstood parts of ADHD:
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).
From overthinking text messages to spiralling after perceived criticism, they break down what RSD actually is, why it happens, and how it shows up in everyday life — especially for women who were diagnosed later in life.
They explore the difference between real rejection vs perceived rejection, and why your brain can react just as strongly either way — even when logically, you know it’s “not a big deal.”
This episode also dives into:
People pleasing and chasing validation
Over-apologising and assuming you’ve done something wrong
The impact of RSD on friendships, work, and dating
Why motherhood changes your tolerance for certain relationships
And how awareness can help you respond differently — even if the feeling doesn’t go away
This is one of those episodes where you’ll likely hear yourself in every example… and finally understand why.
💡 What We Talk About
What Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) actually is
Why ADHD brains default to worst-case thinking
Perceived rejection vs actual rejection
Overthinking texts and delayed replies
“I must have done something wrong” thinking
Fear of judgment and fear of failure
Social media anxiety and posting vulnerability
Being triggered by tone, feedback, or exclusion
Dating and caring more about being liked than liking someone
People pleasing and masking
The impact of RSD on friendships and relationships
Why motherhood changes your standards and capacity
How RSD affects work, feedback, and confidence
Misdiagnosis as anxiety or depression
Talking it out vs spiralling internally
Reframing thoughts and building awareness
🔑 Key Takeaways
RSD is an intense emotional response to perceived rejection — even when it’s not real.
Your brain can logically know something isn’t a big deal… and still feel it deeply.
Many women were misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression instead of ADHD.
RSD can lead to people pleasing, over-apologising, or withdrawing from relationships.
It often impacts friendships, dating, and work more than people realise.
Awareness doesn’t remove RSD — but it helps you respond to it differently.
You don’t need everyone to like you — and most of the time, nothing has actually gone wrong.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Women with ADHD
Late diagnosed ADHD women
Women who overthink everything they say or do
Anyone who spirals after a message, comment, or interaction
Mums navigating friendships, dating, and identity
Women who feel like they’re “too sensitive”
Anyone who constantly worries they’ve upset someone
💬 A Message From This Episode
You’re not too sensitive.You’re not overreacting.And you’re not imagining it.
But…
It also doesn’t mean it’s real.
Sometimes your brain is trying to protect youby looking for danger that isn’t actually there.
And once you can see that?
You get to choose how much power it has.
📲 Follow & Connect
For more real, relatable conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
ADHD in women
Neurodivergent motherhood
Emotional regulation
Late diagnosis
Relationships, identity & self-trust
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 9: Good News! (our kids are going to be fine)

Neurodivergent Kids, PDA & Parenting Without Breaking Their Spirit
What if your child isn’t being “difficult”…but actually can’t do what you’re asking?
In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon dive into the reality of parenting neurodivergent children — especially when their brains work in ways that don’t respond to traditional parenting approaches.
Alisha shares her experience navigating an occupational therapy (OT) assessment for her daughter, including the moment she realised there were far more signs of neurodivergence than she initially recognised.
From struggles with transitions and emotional regulation to seemingly “defiant” behaviour that isn’t actually defiance, this episode explores what it really looks like to parent a child with a different neurotype — and how confronting that can be as a parent.
They also unpack Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — including the constant negotiation, refusal, and resistance that can show up when a child feels a loss of autonomy, even in everyday situations.
This is an honest, nuanced conversation about shifting from“why won’t they just listen?”to“what’s actually going on in their brain?”
💡 What We Talk About
The early signs of neurodivergence in children
Masking at school vs behaviour at home
What an OT assessment actually involves
Why many behaviours get dismissed as “just being a kid”
The difference between defiance and neurological response
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) explained in real life
Negotiation, refusal and “I can’t do it” responses
Emotional meltdowns vs typical tantrums
Sensory sensitivities and everyday struggles (clothes, food, routines)
Parenting styles that don’t work for neurodivergent kids
The impact of traditional discipline approaches
Reparenting yourself while parenting your child
The emotional load of trying to “get it right”
🔑 Key Takeaways
Many neurodivergent children mask in structured environments like school, but release everything at home.
What looks like defiance is often a nervous system response, not a choice.
PDA can show up as refusal, negotiation, or saying “no” — even to things they actually want.
Traditional discipline strategies often don’t work for neurodivergent children.
Understanding your child’s brain helps reduce frustration — but doesn’t make parenting easy.
Parenting a neurodivergent child often requires unlearning how you were raised.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Mums of neurodivergent children
Women who suspect their child may be neurodivergent
ADHD or AuDHD mums parenting similar traits in their kids
Parents struggling with “defiance,” meltdowns or emotional regulation
Anyone trying to parent differently from how they were raised
💬 A Message From This Episode
Your child isn’t trying to make your life harder.
They’re trying to navigate a brainthat doesn’t always let them do what’s being asked.
And you?
You’re learning in real time how to support themwhile undoing everything you were taught about how parenting “should” look.
That’s not failure.
That’s awareness. ✨
📲 Follow & Connect
For more real, unfiltered conversations on ADHD, autism and motherhood:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe & Follow
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
ADHD in women
Neurodivergent parenting
Late diagnosis
Emotional regulation
Identity, overwhelm & self-trust
New episodes released every Thursday.

Episode 8: That's another ADHD tax

ADHD Tax: The Hidden Cost No One Talks About
Ever bought something…lost it…then bought it again?
Or filled your fridge with “healthy food”only to throw it all out a week later?
Welcome to ADHD tax.
In this episode, Alisha and Rhiannon unpack the very real (and often expensive) ways ADHD shows up in everyday life — from impulse spending and forgotten bills to unused subscriptions, wasted groceries, and hobby graveyards.
It’s funny.It’s painfully relatable.And it’s probably costing you more than you realise.
💡 What We Talk About
What ADHD tax actually is (and why most people don’t realise they’re paying it)
Buying things twice because you lost them
Letting bills go unpaid → then paying fees or fines
Wasting money on groceries you don’t cook
Ordering takeaway when food is already at home
Subscriptions you forgot to cancel
The “I’ll be this person” hobby purchases
Storage units, offices, and unused spaces
Delivery convenience vs saving money
Why autopay is both a saviour and a trap
The cost of needing convenience to function
Decision fatigue and avoidance behaviours
🔑 Key Takeaways
ADHD tax isn’t about being “bad with money” — it’s about how your brain works.
You often spend more to compensate for executive function challenges.
Convenience (like delivery or pre-made food) isn’t laziness — it’s a support strategy.
Avoidance (like not opening mail) can lead to bigger financial consequences.
Subscriptions and systems only work if they match your behaviour — not your intentions.
Awareness helps reduce shame… even if it doesn’t fix everything.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
Women with ADHD (diagnosed or questioning)
Mums feeling overwhelmed by life admin
Anyone who impulse buys or forgets to cancel things
Women trying to “get organised” but struggling
People constantly starting systems… and abandoning them
💬 A Message From This Episode
You’re not lazy.You’re not careless.You’re not “bad with money.”
You’ve just been trying to survive in a systemthat wasn’t designed for your brain.
And sometimes…that comes with a price tag.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow for more real, unfiltered conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
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ADHD in women
Real mum life
Emotional regulation
Overwhelm & identity
Systems that actually work

Episode 7: Enrichment time in my enclosure

ADHD in Real Life: The Chaos, The Humour & The Truth
This episode is not polished.It’s not structured.And honestly… that’s exactly the point.
Because this is what ADHD actually looks like in real life.
From losing essential podcast equipment minutes before recording, to impulse Kmart shopping, overstimulation at family events, rage-driving home for a disappointing soft serve, and late-night dopamine spending spirals… this episode is a raw, funny, and very real glimpse into the everyday chaos of neurodivergent mum life.
Alisha and Rhiannon unpack what happens after overstimulation hits — the coping mechanisms, the habits, the “ADHD tax,” and the ways their brains try to regulate (whether that’s helpful… or not).
They also dive into:
Why eating can feel like “too many steps”
How decision fatigue shows up in parenting
The reality of masking at social events
The difference between accountability vs rebellion
And the constant search for systems that will finally “fix everything”
This episode is messy, relatable, and packed with those “oh my god, I do that too” moments.
💡 What We Talk About
Losing things you just bought (ADHD tax in action)
Impulse spending and dopamine chasing
Overstimulation after social events
“Enrichment time in my enclosure” (aka recovery mode)
Emotional spirals over small things (like ice cream…)
Masking and social exhaustion
Parenting while overstimulated
Why eating feels overwhelming or gets forgotten
Simple “survival food” strategies
The all-or-nothing trap with routines
Public accountability vs PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
Exercise motivation struggles
The obsession with “fixing” life through systems, gadgets & hacks
Trying to build habits that actually work with ADHD
🔑 Key Takeaways
ADHD doesn’t just show up in big ways — it’s in the tiny, everyday moments.
Overstimulation often leads to coping behaviours like spending, overplanning, or avoidance.
“Simple tasks” (like eating or cooking) can feel disproportionately hard.
There is no perfect system — only what works for you in this season.
Awareness doesn’t always change behaviour… but it does create compassion.
You’re not broken — your brain just works differently.
👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For
Mums with ADHD
Women who feel constantly overstimulated
Anyone who impulse shops then regrets it
Women who forget to eat… then crash later
People who feel like life is “chaotic but functional”
Anyone tired of trying to be organised and failing
💬 A Message From This Episode
You’re not the only one doing life like this.
The chaos.The overwhelm.The random bursts of motivation.The “I’ll fix my whole life tomorrow” energy.
It’s not just you.
And maybe…you don’t need fixing as much as you think.
📲 Follow & Connect
Follow along for more real, unfiltered motherhood conversations:
@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered
🎧 Subscribe
Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on:
ADHD & neurodivergence in women
Late diagnosis
Emotional regulation
Mum life without the filter
Identity, overwhelm & self-trust