ADHD Parental Burnout

What is parental burnout and how can we better manage our stress levels as parents of ADHD children?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Dr. Claire Plumbly, a clinical psychologist and author of the bestselling book ‘Burnout’. Together, they tackle the subject that many parents of neurodivergent children feel but rarely have the words for: the bone-deep exhaustion of parental burnout.

When you are raising a child with ADHD, you aren't just parenting; you are often acting as their external executive function, their sensory filter, and their emotional regulator. Dr. Claire explains why this constant "high-alert" state isn’t just tiring - it’s a biological process that can push your nervous system to its absolute limit.

They discuss:

🔥 What parental burnout is vs "normal" levels of tiredness and how it is characterised by a “triad” of symptoms: emotional and physical exhaustion, detachment from children, and reduced sense of accomplishment.

🧠The unique challenges of parenting ADHD kids and how the unpredictability, sensory demands, and the constant need to "fix" situations can make parents of neurodivergent kids vulnerable to chronic stress.

🪟 Understanding the science of your nervous system and your window of tolerance - how we move between "fight or flight" and "shutdown," and why we find it hard to parent effectively when we are outside our calm zone.

🪧 The importance of learning to recognise the signs of burnout, such as operating on “auto-pilot” and how we can better manage our nervous system states: green (rest and digest), amber (urgency), and red (shutdown).

♀️The potential impact of hormonal changes and aging on parental burnout, for example, how perimenopause can affect our nervous system and stress tolerance.

🛑 Why traditional self-care (like a spa day) often feels like another chore, and how to use 30-second "nervous system snacks" to regulate yourself in the heat of the moment.

🌱 Shifting the focus from trying to "solve" your child’s ADHD to managing your own internal state, and why a regulated parent is the best gift you can give a struggling child.

This episode is a vital permission slip for any parent who feels they are running on empty. It’s an invitation to stop apologising for your exhaustion and start understanding the science of your nervous system.

Further resources and links:

• Follow Dr Claire on Instagram: @drclaireplumbly

• Dr. Claire Plumbly’s book: https://amzn.eu/d/0cfy1bvy

• Try the Parental Burnout Inventory: https://alexasaba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/THEPARENTALBURNOUTINVENTORY.pdf

• Read Dr. Claire Plumbly’s 5 Steps for Switching Off After Work: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/700252/156268792795628975/share

• ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com

• Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.