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.