THE STORY
Marni Lutz is a neurotypical mother to three incredible boys and a loving husband, all of whom have ADHD. Through personal experience and with a strong focus on their relationship, Marni learned to better understand their neurodiversity and has successfully strategized methods to calm the chaos in her family.
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From early on, Marni’s kids struggled in school. Because they didn’t have many behavioral issues, they were passed from grade to grade. Without the right supports, they fell behind their classmates. Her oldest didn't have hyperactive tendencies, and his inattentiveness was perceived by his teachers as being "lazy". He was continually told to just try harder. After finally receiving a diagnosis in 8th grade, his struggles to catch up were, at times, overwhelming and Marni wondered if he would make it through high school.
Her other two boys were diagnosed not long after, presenting in poor social and organizational skills, fidgeting, and emotional dysregulation.
Her home was loud, frustrated, and even angry at times.
Her children’s self-confidence deteriorated.
She spent many days thinking to herself, “I wish I could just understand what is going on in their heads.” Her intuition was telling her they weren’t being defiant on purpose, but she didn’t know what to do or where to turn for help. Prior to their diagnosis and education around ADHD, parenting was frustrating and typical methods were ineffective.
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Her family was also dealing with her middle son’s recent Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. The combination of ADHD and T1D was a lot to handle. With his inability to regulate his emotions and lack of impulse control, at times, Marni feared for his life.
Life felt overwhelming and her marriage struggled.
They were both exhausted dealing with the 24/7 of T1D, their kids’ daily challenges, life with three active boys, and trying to figure out how best to parent their children. They both desperately wanted to understand their kids and to provide them with the tools and skills they so desperately needed.
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Once their children were diagnosed, it all began making sense.
The official diagnosis inspired Marni’s desire to learn all she could about the ADHD brain and how it specifically presented in each of their boys. Even after a lot of research, she needed to talk things through with someone who understood. She wanted professional guidance and the space to process how best to support them.
She also wanted the ability to educate those in her children’s lives, including teachers, coaches, family, and friends. She wanted to bring awareness around neurodiversity so that her boys (and many others) could finally be understood and supported.
The discovery of an incredible life coach inspires Marni.
At that time, she struggled to find what she needed for herself, but in the process of searching, she found an incredible ADHD Life Coach for her oldest son. This coach opened her eyes to a new calling, inspiring Marni to explore her options. She enrolled in classes through the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) and became a certified ADHD Life Coach.
Marni has learned that life throws many curveballs, but a person’s perspective and response makes a big difference. Reframing those curveballs as opportunities helped Marni and her family to enjoy the view from the top.
Her oldest son graduated high school and is now confidently thriving in a job he loves. Her middle son manages his emotions and his T1D independently, has found a love of performing, and enjoys participating in T1D research studies to help further technology for future generations. Her youngest is a creative and confident middle schooler, is aware of and focuses on his strengths, and is proud of who he is.
Recently both her middle and youngest sons made the decision to leave the traditional school system and start homeschooling. Marni says, “Providing them the freedom, opportunity, and support to learn in a way that works for their unique brain wiring, has been life changing!” She just wishes they had made the change sooner!
This outcome lit a fire of passion for Marni to help other ADHD individuals and families to live a life they love and deserve.
Marni follows her heart to serve others.
Working the last 20 years serving her community in a Parks and Recreation role, she chose to follow her heart down a new path and begin coaching and consulting families dealing with ADHD.
Her personal experience, awareness, and support of our neurodiverse community has committed Marni to help you find joy in a life you love.
