ADD
Moms with an ADHD Child: A Common Combination
The
ADHD child prospers
in an organized, structured environment. Thank goodness
for mothers who set up dependable routines, keep everything
in its place, and ensure that schedules run according
to plan. The mothers of ADHD children are truly the
supermoms of today’s society. What would we
do without them?
But
what if a child with ADHD also has a mother with ADHD?
Since ADHD is likely a genetic disorder, there’s
a good chance that both mothers and children may suffer
from attention difficulties. If you thought it was
tough for the average mother to keep everything organized,
can you imagine how hard it is for a mom with ADHD?
It’s
natural for mothers to be critical of themselves,
constantly questioning whether they’re doing
enough for their kids. Moms with ADHD have double
the self-doubt and at least double the challenges.
To top it off, many moms struggle with ADHD
in the workplace as well as housework
and ADD/ADHD. If you are a mother with ADHD who
is also trying to raise children with ADHD, the following
suggestions have been put forth by mothers who are
in the same situation and have found creative ways
to cope:
-
Talk to your children and their father about your
ADHD. Explain how ADHD affects your thinking patters
and way of doing things. Let them know what to expect
from you.
-
Write things down as much as possible. Post a big
calendar for the entire family showing appointments,
birthdays, and other events. Have plenty of paper
and pens on hand for keeping notes. Have a special
pad of paper for the family grocery list, one place
where everyone can write down what they need from
the grocery store. Post a white board in the kitchen
and in every bedroom to leave messages and reminders.
-
Have visible clocks with timers in every room, even
in the shower, so that no one loses track of time.
You can use cell phones as timers and for text reminders,
too.
-
Keep your life very simple. Don’t amass so
many possessions that your home becomes cluttered.
Reduce clutter as much as possible and designate
a place for important items like shoes, keys, coats,
backpacks, etc.
Perhaps
most importantly, do not over-commit. As a mom, you’ll
be asked to help with many things at school, church,
and other areas. Set your priorities—kids and
family first!—and stick to them. As a mom with
ADHD, there may be times when you can’t help
anyone else because you have too many responsibilities
at home, and that’s okay. No one can take care
of your family the way you can. |