ADHD, divorce and co-parenting with Sharon Collon
Jul 27, 2026 · 43 min · 14 segments
This week, Carolyn sits down with Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about parenting through separation when ADHD is part of the picture – whether that's your child's, your own, or…
This week, Carolyn sits down with Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about parenting through separation when ADHD is part of the picture – whether that's your child's, your own, or both. Sharon breaks down why transitions between two households cost the ADHD brain more than our neurotypical cousins, and shares tools you can use straight away: a "circular to-do list" that gives kids a visual path back to safety, a family meeting format that runs over dinner instead of turning into a toilet-roll witch hunt, and a reframe of rejection sensitivity dysphoria. Carolyn and Sharon also talk about what happens when a child comes home dysregulated after time with the other parent, and how to build systems that hold up on your worst day – not just your best one. **Key takeaways** - Kids with ADHD often experience time as "now" and "not now" rather than a clear sequence – visual planners and wall calendars make transitions concrete. - A "circular to-do list" gives kids a visual path back to the safety of home, rather than a string of instructions to remember. - Family meetings work best short, low-pressure, and paired with an activity – like decorating pizza over dinner – rather than a serious sit-down. - Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) means divorce is more likely to land as rejection – naming it takes some of the sting out, for kids and adults. - Small, predictable anchors – a goodnight ritual, a private hug signal, a proper welcome home – do more for a child's sense of security than long conversations. - If a child regularly comes home dysregulated after time at the other parent's house, build in decompression time first: food, quiet, low demands, no big questions. - New systems need the child's buy-in, real simplicity, and around twelve weeks of consistent practice alongside a parent before they stick for an ADHD brain. **Links** - Free guide to talking to your children about your separation or divorce: https://www.womensdivorceacademy.com/free-what-to-say-to-your-kids - Free training in September – The ADHD Family System – www.thefunctionalfamily.com/system **Further resources** - ADDitude – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and ADHD, by William Dodson, M.D. Send Carolyn a text **READY FOR MORE SUPPORT?** Women's Divorce Academy offers expert divorce support and a friendly community of women who understand exactly what you're going through. Learn more about our membership and divorce support: womensdivorceacademy.com **CONNECT WITH US:** Instagram: @womensdivorceacademy Facebook: Women's Divorce Academy **SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:** If this episode helped you, subscribe to Divorce With Carolyn and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show. Thank you!
This week, Carolyn sits down with Sharon Collon from The Functional Family to talk about parenting through separation when ADHD is part of the picture – whether that's your child's, your own, or…
