Hardest part of raising ADD kids when YOU have ADD

Thursday, October 13. 2005

Hardest part of raising ADD kids when YOU have ADD

Yesterday, I was interviewed by ADDitude Magazine for a story they're doing on the challenges of ADD parents raising ADD kids. I happen to fall in that category as probably many of you do, too.

One question- THE question- made me think. What is THE biggest challenge in this scenario? The writer suggested that perhaps it's the fear that we, as parents, won't be able to teach our children good habits. Like being organized. Or being on time. Or not blurting out things. Well, her comments made me think about all this, even though I've presented on this topic numerous times.

My response was that more than anything, as an ADD family, we need to change our expectations of OURSELVES as well as of our children. I, for one, have totally given up the notion of a completely tidy house. (NOTE: I talk about messy zones and tidy zones in my presentations).

Do I feel guilty that because of my own struggles in this area, I've not taught my kids how to keep their "stuff" tidy? Well, my non-ADD daughter does just fine. Ok, well maybe she chose to NOT be like me and her younger sister. Or maybe she just innately knows how to organize. My guess is that it's the latter.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this: what is the biggest challenge of raising your ADD kids? Here's more on my list:

Dealing with the noise, commotion
Working with teachers who MIGHT understand the challenges of an ADD child, but absolutely doesn't "get it" in adults: "Riiight...the dog ate the field trip permission slip".
The natural increase in household workload. Put it this way: one kid = 2 or 3 outfit changes per day. That is a LOT of laundry to deal with.

C'mon.....share your thoughts.

Terry

PS Look for the article in the November issue.

Check it out HERE

Posted by Terry at 10:35 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

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i guess i am just looking for some thoughts and ideas maybe some advice on my boyfriend who has add and we are a yound couple with 3 kids none of them have add as far as we know but my boyfriend has had it since a child and just now got some help any ideas would be much apperciated

#1 talaya (Homepage) on 2006-01-27 16:22 (Reply)

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