4 Things That Make My ADHD Mom Life Easier
As much as I try to avoid wearing busy as a badge of honor, I would be lying if I said my life isn’t hectic at times.
Many times.
Even most times most weeks.
And when you couple that hectic schedule with executive function that isn’t always cooperative, there can be things that get forgotten or tasks that you just don’t have time for.
Which is why I am always on the lookout for ways I can streamline my decision making and task list, improve my memory and time management, and make sure I’m taking care of myself and my family.
Which is why on today’s episode of the ADHD mompreneur, we are discussing 4 products or groups of products that I use every day to help support my executive function and help make my life easier as an ADHD mom.
In the past, I’ve done some ADHD mom hack videos that focus more on strategies, skills, or habits you can use to help make your life a little easier.
Today I’m sharing some actual products that I use daily.
And full disclosure before we dive in, the Amazon links below for the products I am mentioning are affiliate links, meaning that if you check out what I suggest and buy it, I’ll get a small commission.
But nothing that I am recommending today is sponsored and I paid my own cash money for all of them.
You know, just so you know my glowing reviews are coming from a place of genuine love and admiration.
And with that, here are the…
4 Things that Help Make My ADHD Mom Life Easier
RoboRock Robot Vacuum, $139 https://amzn.to/4fCe25C
1. Robot Vacuum
Just like the name suggests, a robot vacuum cleans your floors without the need for a human to guide them through the process.
When it was originally introduced over 20 years ago, it would basically start at one corner of the room and weave its way back and forth to ensure it covered as much as possible.
But today’s robot vacuums have capabilities to map individual rooms and entire floor plans in your home.
You can schedule regular cleanings and adjust suction levels from a handy app.
There are even models that both sweep and mop as well as ones that empty their own dustbin on the charging dock during a cleaning session in case it gets too full too fast.
So what makes a robot vacuum so great for us ADHD moms?
You can schedule regular cleanings. For instance, we have ours sweep the main floor of our house every night at 9pm. This is pretty crucial because we have not 1, not 2, but 3 cats.
And it is shocking to my how quickly large quantities of fur collect.
But by the time evening rolls around after a full day of momming and coaching and business running, it’s pretty hard to motivate myself to get out the vacuum cleaner.
I mean, I struggle to feed myself many nights.
So our little robot vacuum takes this important chore off my list.
And an added bonus..my boys know they need to clear up the floors before they go to bed (you know, kinda like the picking up for the cleaning lady comes thing).
This means not only is the cat hair and other various dirt sucked up, but the bags and shoes and other random things aren’t strewn about all over for me to see or more likely trip over when I wake up the next morning.
There are lots of Robot vacuum options out there and I’ve linked to a reasonable priced one below from the same manufacturer that makes the model we have (only this model has a mopping option too so consider me jealous if you get it). Depending on brand and features, a robot vacuum will run you between $150 to over $1000.
Amazon Alexa (Echo Pop $17.99) https://amzn.to/4eFlewv
2. Digital Assistants
Chances are that by now, you are familiar with Amazon’s Alexa. Or Google Home. Or Apple’s Homepod.
But these smart speakers/digital assistants are more than just a way to play music or check the news and weather.
I’m going to focus on Alexa and her skills because that is what we use personally and what I am familiar with, but I am guessing that the Google or Apple devices may have similar functionality and abilities.
And speaking of the abilities your digital assistant can help with, your Alexa can support your ADHD executive function and time management through a variety of skills like…
Setting timers for anything from the dinner you’re cooking to breaking your hyperfocus when you get sucked into something you’re working on
Creating reminders for regular tasks like warming up my car on school days
Adding items to shopping lists because it’s much easier to remember to add olive oil the moment you run out
Adding items to to do lists so you don’t have to find a paper and pen when they pop into your head
Adding events to your Google calendar and get notifications about upcoming events
Dropping in on other rooms like an intercom for those times when I just can’t get up to talk to my kids upstairs
Finding my phone which is crucial if you misplace your phone like I misplace my phone (as long as the ringer is on)
Controlling & creating routines for smart home devices
Which brings us to my the next thing that makes my ADHD mom life easier…
Smart Bulbs, 2, $11.99 https://amzn.to/3Zgv2sj
Smart Plugs, 2, $10.99 https://amzn.to/4fDBpeT
Google Nest Thermostat, $84.99 https://amzn.to/3CxMgZd
3. Smart Home Devices
A smart device is anything that can be controlled via a phone, tablet, or digital home assistant.
Smart devices connect through an app via your home wifi and come in a variety of options like plugs light bulbs, thermostats, garage door openers, door locks and even appliances like washing machines and instant pots.
Many, including my previously mentioned robot vacuum, can be controlled via digital assistants, like my previously mentioned Alexa.
Using a smart device is handy for us ADHD moms because we can create a schedule for turning lights on and off or turning the temperature down when you’re going out of town for a few days.
You can create regular tasks like closing the garage door at a certain time every night (which I have had to do because we have forgotten to close it far too many times).
You can get notifications like “your laundry is done, put it in the dryer” or “your robot vacuum is starting their daily cleaning” which is, of course, one of my favorites.
I cannot tell you how much easier it is for me to drag my butt out of bed on cold winter mornings when I can tell Alexa to turn up the heat and turn on the lights, all from under the covers in my bed.
There are smart versions of almost every electronic device at this point. And you don’t need a digital assistant since most require an app to connect in the first place.
But if you’re looking for a good entry point to see if you like and use smart devices, I’ve included links to the smart bulbs, smart plugs, and smart thermostat we use in the description below.
And my final thing that helps with my ADHD mom life is…
30 Day Free Trial then $69.99/year https://bit.ly/CalmFreeTrial
4. Calm App
Calm is an app with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, and breathwork, along with music and soundscapes to help you focus or relax.
You can access Calm via your phone, tablet or the internet.
I’ve been using the Calm app for over 5 years, starting with sleep stories.
It was hard for me to fall asleep because I would lie down and my brain would spin round and round for felt like hours.
And the Calm sleep stories gave me something to focus on instead of my whirling thoughts.
We also used the kid friendly stories when my boys were young to help them settle down before bed.
It’s also a great tool if you’re interested in trying out meditation, which can be an incredibly effective tool for boosting your dopamine and helping to train your brain to concentrate.
Normally Calm offers a free 7 day trial, but if you follow this link, you can grab a free 30 day trial. After the trial, the subscription is $69.99 per year or a little less than $6 per month which is a steal in my book if it helps you to sleep better and train your brain.
If you find that you’re struggling to juggle all the things that come along with running a home and running a business as an ADHD mom and ADHD entrepreneur, I’d love to help. Click below to book your free, no-obligation clarity call with me to discuss how my programs can support you in creating the success you know is possible in your work and home life.
