Permission Over Control: The ADHD Parenting Shift That Actually Reduces Chaos (With Dana Crews)

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What if the missing piece in ADHD parenting isn’t more structure, stricter consequences, or better behavior charts—but permission?


In this powerful, grounding conversation, I’m joined by ADHD-informed parent coach and educator Dana Crews to talk about what it really means to see ADHD in full permission—for our kids and ourselves.


Inspired by Dana’s work with CHADD, this episode explores how permission-based ADHD care helps parents move out of constant crisis mode and into something far more sustainable: connection, regulation, and trust.


We unpack:
 – Why control-based parenting often increases meltdowns and power struggles in ADHD kids
 – The difference between permissive parenting and permission-based care
 – How nervous system regulation—not compliance—is the foundation of effective ADHD support
 – What “letting go” actually looks like without sacrificing boundaries


This episode is part of the New Year, Less Chaos campaign—a series designed to help ADHD families reduce overwhelm, lower stress, and build rhythms that actually work in real life.


If you’re parenting a child with ADHD and feel exhausted by advice that sounds good but collapses under pressure, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. 🎧


Connect with Dana 👉 Second Arrow Coaching (https://secondarrowadhdcoaching.com/)  


This Month's Sponsors:


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Hallowell Todaro ADHD & Behavioral Health Center (https://hallowelltodaro.com/)  


A strength-based practice co-founded by Dr. Edward Hallowell that actually gets ADHD. They offer evaluations, therapy, coaching, medication management, and parent support that focuses on what’s strong about your kid, not just what’s hard.  


✨ Social Thinking (https://www.socialthinking.com/)  


Social learning that helps kids, teens, and adults understand the why behind social behavior, not just memorize a checklist of “correct” moves. Their tools, curricula, and resources teach social cognition, perspective-taking, flexible thinking, and real-world problem-solving.


📱 Talkspace (https://talkspace.pxf.io/c/6058880/11...)  


Therapy that fits real life. With Talkspace, you can message or chat with a licensed therapist right from your phone, no face-to-face required. Perfect if you’re shy, anxious, overwhelmed, or just communicate better in writing. 


🎒 Miacademy (https://miacademy.co/)  


An online learning platform that makes school feel less like a daily power struggle. With engaging videos, games, quizzes, and built-in rewards, Miacademy helps K-8 kids stay motivated while giving parents tools to track progress without hovering. 


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📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.


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