#32 ADHD Unwrapped Part 2: Why “Just Try Harder” Doesn’t Work (and What Actually Might)

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In Part 2 of our ADHD series, Sam Straub, LCPC, and Dr. Melissa Wellner, MD, dive deeper into the lived experience of parenting—and being—a kid with ADHD. This episode moves beyond the textbook and into real family dynamics: the misunderstandings, the emotional toll, the parenting pitfalls, and the opportunities for growth (yes, even when there’s an ice cream bowl in the sink. Again.).

If you’ve ever been tempted to call your kid “lazy,” wonder why reward charts don’t work, or question whether you’re failing as a parent because things feel so hard—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “lazy” is the most damaging (and inaccurate) label we give ADHD kids
• The connection between ADHD, anxiety, and depression—and what often gets missed
• How to use structure without relying on complicated reward systems
• Why weekends off ADHD meds may not be working for your family
• Executive function delays—and how to support them without nagging
• What ADHD kids really want their adults to understand
• The importance of celebrating effort, not just achievement
• And how raising a child with ADHD might just be sculpting you, too

Resources & Mentions:

• ADHD Part 1: Superpowers, Symptoms, and the Stuff Nobody Talks About

Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.

You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?  

Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.  

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• Melissa on Facebook

Work with Us:

Sam: Teen Savvy Coaching

• Join The Teen Savvy Parent Hub
• Sam's free video guide: How to Have a "You Screwed Up" Conversation with your Child or Teen
• Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches

Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry

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