Parenting a child with ADHD is HARD!
Lisa, a wonderful mom to a child with ADHD, sent me a private message earlier this week and said this, “Dana, I have read SO many parenting books, and it seems like all of the methods these books suggest just don’t work on my kid. What am I doing wrong?”
I imagine that many other parents of children with ADHD can relate.
I know when my son was really struggling, I felt like nothing I did made one bit of difference in his behavior.
For the longest time, I blamed myself. I thought I WAS THE PROBLEM.
I must not be consistent enough…or loving enough…or firm enough…or WHATEVER enough.
But the truth was, these parenting books that offered really great advice for parents of neurotypical children just didn’t apply to my neurodiverse child.
ADHD symptoms (and the parenting challenges that come along with these symptoms) are not a result of bad parenting.
They’re the result of ADHD and differently wired brains.
Does that mean there’s nothing we can do to help our kids?
Absolutely NOT! There are things we can do to help them.
BUT, it does no one any good to blame ourselves.
So…in answer to Lisa’s question, I would say this…
First of all, remember that parenting a child with ADHD is not the same as parenting a child without ADHD.
The parenting methods that work for neurotypical children might not work for those with ADHD.
Parents of neurodiverse children have to change expectations and methods.
Most importantly, don’t beat yourself up. You are NOT a bad parent just because your child with ADHD is struggling.
You are doing the best you can, so give yourself grace.
Secondly, I would recommend you lean in to advice from people who understand what it looks like to parent a neuro-diverse child.
We actually have a Family and Child Therapist on staff with us, Ashley Gobeil, and she has agreed to be interviewed live on Tuesday, March 22 at 5pm PT (which is 7pm CT/8pm ET).
A highly experienced therapist with over 15 years experience, Ashley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Masters in Social Health & Counseling and a Masters of Social Work Qualifying. She has also completed a range of certifications on family therapy, developmental trauma, attachment theory, and more.
Ashley works in a variety of contexts including childcare, schools, child and adolescent mental health, domestic and family violence, family divorce, and childhood trauma. She has specific experience with children who have been given the diagnoses of ADHD, ODD and learning difficulties.
She is going to be with us LIVE to answer all sorts of questions about the challenges of raising children with ADHD that we have received from parents just like YOU.
Questions about:
-Discipline
-Sibling rivalry
-Sleep issues
-School challenges
-And more
Again, this free Parenting ADHD interview is Tuesday, March 22 at 5pm PT (which is 7pm CT/8pm ET) in my ADHD Parent Nutrition Support Group on Facebook.
I hope you can join me. See you there!
