There comes a point where you no longer care if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel or not. You’re just sick of the tunnel.” - Ranata Suzuki
STEP 1: BREATHE!
THE REASON PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ADHD ARE AT BREAKING POINT MORE THAN MOST:
In families where a child has ADHD, there’s a 45% chance of at least one parent having ADHD
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
That there’s a high chance of one or both parents having heightened sensitivity, awareness, and being overwhelmed.
And this is BEFORE dealing with a mystifying child!
STEP 2: HALT!
Just stop if possible. Even if it’s to take a shower and think quietly
USE THE ACRONYM, HALTHUNGRY
ANGRY
LONELY
TIRED
To stop and take care of your basic needs
STEP 3: PUT YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST
‘Isn’t this selfish?’ is the question everybody asks.
Not at all. Think about it:
If you don’t show yourself kindness and consideration, how can you extend it to anyone else?
What’s more, your ADHD child is super sensitive. The greatest gift you can give him/her is a calm and loving parent. The best relationship comes from modeling. Once you’ve taken care of yourself, you’ll no longer meltdown when you drop the milk or are bombarded by life; you’ll be able to take it all in your stride, and your child will appreciate this.
STEP 4: MOVE FROM SURVIVAL TO THRIVE MODE
In an emergency?
Yep. Nothing changes if you’re barely surviving. Thriving is what you were born to do.
When you’re constantly on the edge of exploding, it’s unnerving for you and those around you.
It’s imperative you move to a place of calm, so that if something goes wrong, you may get agitated, but won’t explode.
Once you apply self-care, the crises become fewer.
Examples of self-care:
-
- Meditation
- Yoga (begin to heal your mind through your body)
- Breathe
- Paint
- Play music
- Explore a new hobby
- Spend time with friends
- Try new activities.
None of these things need to be expensive or take a lot of time. Have your children do them with you too if that works or find 5 minutes alone.
We are more than the worst thing that’s ever happened to us. All of us need to stop apologizing for having been to hell and come back breathing.” - Clementine von Radics, Broken
10 TIPS IF ALL ELSE HAS FAILED
1. ASK FOR HELP! YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE. NOR SHOULD YOU.
2. Imagine this is the end of the world. IDENTIFY THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO DO NOW – AND DO IT.
3. Join our community and other online ADHD groups…post and ask for help and local resources… there’s an amazing community of people who have also struggled too and are there to help.
4. Ask your family doctor or other medical professionals for referrals
-
- DON’T GIVE UP! Keep going until you get what you need. Take the names of everyone you talk with so that there’s accountability. Be your own best advocate.
- Stay calm with whoever you deal with. They’ll be more eager to help if you treat them with kindness.
5. Get to know your child better. Children are great at helping you help them. Ask what he/she needs.
6. Let go of as many other stressors as you can.
7. Call friends who are going through similar things. (The helpful ones. Not to complain, but to ask for structured advice).
8. Be careful who you let into your life. You can only afford helpful people at this stage.
9. When everyone’s gone to bed, or when you have peace, journal to get clear on your situation
-
- List all your good points.
- List the good times in your life.
- List the times when you’ve held it together. Identify your strengths.
- List your skills.
- Plan for the future. Without a vision, it’s hard to bring it to life.
- Think of the ways you can encourage your child/children to help rather than run amok.
10. Encourage your child/children to take part in family activities, do projects together, and to help in the home. A fun team starts with good communication.
5 QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU HELP YOUR CHILD
Understand your child
Understand ADHD
Understand your own needs
Understand that sensitivity and brilliance runs in families, look for it in other family members and yourself too.
BREATHE!
From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Use the acronym, HALT = Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired – to take care of your basic needs.
When you’re constantly on the edge of exploding, it’s unnerving for you and those around you.
Join our community and other online ADHD groups…post and ask for help and local resources.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Download WHAT EVERY CHILD
WISHES YOU KNEW ABOUT ADHD
e-Book
A rare perspective and honest account of what it's like to have ADHD told through their own words.
There comes a point where you no longer care if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel or not. You’re just sick of the tunnel.” - Ranata Suzuki
STEP 1: BREATHE!
THE REASON PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ADHD ARE AT BREAKING POINT MORE THAN MOST:
In families where a child has ADHD, there’s a 45% chance of at least one parent having ADHD
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
That there’s a high chance of one or both parents having heightened sensitivity, awareness, and being overwhelmed.
And this is BEFORE dealing with a mystifying child!
STEP 2: HALT!
Just stop if possible. Even if it’s to take a shower and think quietly
USE THE ACRONYM, HALTHUNGRY
ANGRY
LONELY
TIRED
To stop and take care of your basic needs
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Use the acronym, HALT = Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired – to take care of your basic needs.
When you’re constantly on the edge of exploding, it’s unnerving for you and those around you.
Join our community and other online ADHD groups…post and ask for help and local resources.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Download WHAT EVERY CHILD WISHES YOU KNEW ABOUT ADHD e-Book
A rare perspective and honest account of what it's like to have ADHD told through their own words.
STEP 3: PUT YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST
‘Isn’t this selfish?’ is the question everybody asks.
Not at all. Think about it:
If you don’t show yourself kindness and consideration, how can you extend it to anyone else?
What’s more, your ADHD child is super sensitive. The greatest gift you can give him/her is a calm and loving parent. The best relationship comes from modeling. Once you’ve taken care of yourself, you’ll no longer meltdown when you drop the milk or are bombarded by life; you’ll be able to take it all in your stride, and your child will appreciate this.
STEP 4: MOVE FROM SURVIVAL TO THRIVE MODE
In an emergency?
Yep. Nothing changes if you’re barely surviving. Thriving is what you were born to do.
When you’re constantly on the edge of exploding, it’s unnerving for you and those around you.
It’s imperative you move to a place of calm, so that if something goes wrong, you may get agitated, but won’t explode.
Once you apply self-care, the crises become fewer.
Examples of self-care:
-
- Meditation
- Yoga (begin to heal your mind through your body)
- Breathe
- Paint
- Play music
- Explore a new hobby
- Spend time with friends
- Try new activities.
None of these things need to be expensive or take a lot of time. Have your children do them with you too if that works or find 5 minutes alone.
We are more than the worst thing that’s ever happened to us. All of us need to stop apologizing for having been to hell and come back breathing.” - Clementine von Radics, Broken
10 TIPS IF ALL ELSE HAS FAILED
1. ASK FOR HELP! YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE. NOR SHOULD YOU.
2. Imagine this is the end of the world. IDENTIFY THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO DO NOW – AND DO IT.
3. Join our community and other online ADHD groups…post and ask for help and local resources… there’s an amazing community of people who have also struggled too and are there to help.
4. Ask your family doctor or other medical professionals for referrals
-
- DON’T GIVE UP! Keep going until you get what you need. Take the names of everyone you talk with so that there’s accountability. Be your own best advocate.
- Stay calm with whoever you deal with. They’ll be more eager to help if you treat them with kindness.
5. Get to know your child better. Children are great at helping you help them. Ask what he/she needs.
6. Let go of as many other stressors as you can.
7. Call friends who are going through similar things. (The helpful ones. Not to complain, but to ask for structured advice).
8. Be careful who you let into your life. You can only afford helpful people at this stage.
9. When everyone’s gone to bed, or when you have peace, journal to get clear on your situation
-
- List all your good points.
- List the good times in your life.
- List the times when you’ve held it together. Identify your strengths.
- List your skills.
- Plan for the future. Without a vision, it’s hard to bring it to life.
- Think of the ways you can encourage your child/children to help rather than run amok.
10. Encourage your child/children to take part in family activities, do projects together, and to help in the home. A fun team starts with good communication.
5 QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU HELP YOUR CHILD
Understand your child
Understand ADHD
Understand your own needs
Understand that sensitivity and brilliance runs in families, look for it in other family members and yourself too.
BREATHE!
From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring”
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
ADHD
Redefined
You might also find this helpful...
You might also find this helpful...
My Child Can Concentrate Sometimes, But Not Others. Is He/She Lazy?
Children with ADHD may have trouble completing tasks. They may often have difficulty…
Why Do Children Get ADHD and Can I Cure It?
Knowing how to help a kid with ADHD is empowering to all. ADHD is not a myth, it is not…
Why is My Child with ADHD So Angry
While having some angry feelings is normal at all ages, some children and young people…