ADHD. Getting that diagnosis was such a relief. But also came so many questions. We finally had our answers for my sweet girl.

ADHD is hard. From the fidgeting and not being able to sit still, to the struggles of getting her to eat, focus, and the crash off the medicine in the evening (which makes homework 1000x harder). I wish I could take this away from her.

ADHD. The worst part about it is watching your child try and make friends but yet no one wants to be her friend because she is different and a little weird. I absolutely love her uniqueness but it breaks my heart the amount of bullying she has gone through already and she is only 7. Kids are mean, parents let’s do better and not stand for it. She always talks about all these friends she has but yet no one invites her to birthday parties, play dates, or wants to hang out to long. Yes she is bossy, loud and sometimes a little extra. But that girl has the absolute sweetest heart.

ADHD. We call her our sour patch girl. She maybe sour at times but boy can she be sweet. She can spot from a mile away if someone is sad, upset, or just needs a friend. She has made my days so much better just by a simple word or hug. I have been on a weight loss journey, and this sweet girl asked me if she could go on a diet and I of course told her she didn’t need to worry about it and she told me then I shouldn’t worry about it because I am perfect just the way I am.

ADHD. She always keeps herself busy, her brain is always going with a million thoughts in it. She keeps busy with soccer, softball, coyote hunting, coon hunting, playing, cousins, her sissy and much much more. The way she plays makes absolute no sense to any but her. And she could play all day long. Just by packing bags and bags of toys/clothes — whatever her heart desires. It drives me crazy most days when I try and pick up but one day I will miss her random packed bags. Or when I am looking for a very specific Jean jacket and I look for weeks and can’t find it. Just to go into her room one day for something and there it is in one of her play bags. But how can I be mad — she had an emergency bag packed with a few items for each of us in our family. I mean how sweet and thoughtful.

ADHD. Is when you are telling and telling her to do something and you are getting frustrated. Then she tells you that she doesn’t even know what she is being asked to do or not do. It doesn’t make any sense why I am asking her this.

ADHD. Walking away and then returning after a few deep breathes. Most of the time she has just worked herself up to much as she has anxiety as well and can’t calm back down. Most of the time she forgets why she is even upset because she has gotten herself into a full ADHD tantrum. Spend that few minutes to get down on her level, hug her, comfort her, with a calm voice. This is something I am still working on.

ADHD. This can be so difficult when trying to rush out the door in the morning on the way to school and work. We have to remember one task at a time. Tell her to brush her teeth — then when completed put on shoes. One simple task at a time. If we ask to much it jumbled in her brain and she can forget all the tasks. Then we are all frustrated— frustrated because we will be late, because she won’t get ready, because she is hangry and still hasn’t taken a bite of food. Just remember to take that step back. Choose love, choose calm.

ADHD. Is when you are always being told that she shouldn’t be acting that way — to just spank her or punish her. She needs a set routine, so when we are out of that routine it throws everything off that she knows. She is overstimulated, she could be tired, hungry. So please just stop telling us what we should be doing if she is getting in trouble and it doesn’t seem like it is working to you. Spanking her will only escalate the situation and make things much worse — yelling and raising your voice is just going to have her shut down. So please let us be the mom. And if we say no that means no. Yes there maybe a fit that follows but if you give in or make us give in she will always remember that and try it every time.

ADHD is hard. Hug your ADHD mommas, give them a free space to just talk. We are our children’s comfort — remember that, take it easy on yourself!