This week on Backpacking Through ADHD, we’re unzipping something you can’t see in a classroom photo but every ADHD child carries: the invisible backpack. 🎒

Inside that backpack? Anxiety. Social pressures. Masking. Sensory overload. Perfectionism. The things that weigh our kids down, even when no one else notices.

I’m not hiking this trail alone. Joining me is my friend and fellow ADHD mom, Sarah Dobek, who brings honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom from her own parenting journey. Together, we talk about what fills that invisible backpack, how to recognize when it’s too heavy, and practical ways parents can help lighten the load.

This week’s hat is Perfectly Imperfect — a reminder that our kids aren’t broken. They are perfectly themselves, even when life feels messy.

If you’ve ever wondered what your child carries with them into school besides books and homework, this episode is for you.