Blogger to Author

I’m really excited to share this: I’m turning this blog into a book! It’s been a work in progress for the past 4 years. I decided to leverage the blog to help other ADHD families get results. Family ADDventures is all about my and my family’s shifts, success and failures, but it’s not set up to support full on transformation. Here is how I’m planning to turn 3 years of blog posts into a cohesive story with action items that convert.

1. I hired an editor. There are developmental, as well as line by line/copy editors. The editor I hired is both. You can check her out on Instagram: @chelsea_chapman_creative https://www.instagram.com/chelsea_chapman_creative/. She will complete line by line editing, although we are in the developemental stage right now. An example of developmental editing is putting the blog posts in the correct places within the chapters for cohesion. The goal is for the reader to improve their ADHD family life through the stories and tips.
2. I’m seeking out podcasts with audiences who could benefit from my book. (Book tours are expensive and no longer popular.) I’m definitely going to speak with a former coach of mine who now has a podcast (https://www.jillianjohnsrud.com/). She helped me plan this mini-retirement so the book would become a reality.
3. I’m reaching out to Peter Shankman of https://www.fasterthannormal.com/. His podcast is for adults with ADHD and I realized, as I organized this blog, that so much of the transformation happened through me and my adult journey to manage my condition. ADDitudemag’s podcast is also a place for everything ADHD https://www.additudemag.com/category/adhd-podcast/. And finally, I hope to be a guest on 2 partners, Bec and Cassie’s podcast. They both work with the same Mental Wellness company that I do.
4. The most exciting podcast I’ll speak on will be HerEnterpRISE! This is a podcast I’m creating with 2 of the women in my mastermind. We’re so excited to bring tips and value to moms who own businesses. You can learn more about both women here : https://www.travelingwallet.com/ and https://www.stbrigidscst.com/about-1. Season 1 of our podcast will be released this FALL!
5. I’m doing more Instagram and Facebook Live interviews to build up my confidence in speaking about ADHD and education, home life, finances, and mental wellness. You can follow me on IG here: @familyADDventures https://www.instagram.com/familyaddventures/. My next interview is with an educator and business owner from England who trains teachers to work with kids who learn differently. She and I are aligned on how and why it’s imperative to change ourselves and adjust the methodology and delivery, not the student, to reach ADHD kids in the classroom. Her handle is @teachingwithadifference https://www.instagram.com/teachingwithadifference/.
6. I’m giving myself hard deadlines, yet still allowing myself to breathe given no breaks from childcare (thank you Covid Crisis). I think publishing this book will be a great success story for any mom or caregiver who wants to do more, and yet is constrained by work requirements and children’s needs. It’s a difficult balance, especially with few to no childcare options. Add distance learning to the mix and it seems impossible to do anything for yourself. But, you can move forward on your goals (career, hobby, marriage) and still give your children the attention and support they need. I wrote this blog post last year: https://familyaddventures.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/win-at-work-and-motherhood/, and although I still agree women can do everything they want to, I’m not so gun-ho during this pandemic. One of my favorite things a coach said about motherhood and building a business: take your goals and double the time. If you think you need a year, plan for 2. I revisit that often. We’re in weird times, ya’ll. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on what I set out to accomplish when I left teaching last summer. It may take longer than planned, but I will meet my goals.

Have an amazing summer! Even if it’s different than you planned, I hope it’s an adventure and not a chore. After 4 stressful months of “distance learning” I’m happy to be more balanced and present with my three children. And the pool opened which the kids have been dying for in the Texas heat. So, there’s a small miracle.