The vacation is over... Everyone is happy, and only my stomach hurts?? Living happily here with ADHD.

As a mother of children with ADHD, I find myself much more relaxed and at ease during the summer vacation than throughout the school year. Parents who come to me for consultations and parenting guidance express similar feelings. This happens for several reasons...

Most of the challenges with ADHD children manifest primarily during the school year. The high expectations, numerous tasks, and long hours of learning (which, unfortunately, are still not adapted to the needs and challenges of children with ADHD). Our need as parents to take responsibility in front of the educational staff and our difficulty in transferring that responsibility to the children. The difficult feeling we have as parents that our children go out every morning to a battle for survival. Will I manage to sit without talking? Will I manage to listen to the teacher? Will I finish writing in my notebook? How many times will I be reprimanded today? Will my friends notice the teacher's remarks? What do they think of me? I’m not like everyone else...

All these things create difficult feelings.

During the summer vacation, however, these challenges were absent, allowing us to see our children as they truly are. Enjoying, experiencing, traveling, laughing. Sometimes we even became the entertainment team or allowed ourselves to give them more screen time for the sake of peace and quiet. I succeeded as a mother in being "just" a mom. Loving, hugging, laughing, enjoying every moment. Watching them grow and mature, learning to know themselves in a different, calmer, and less demanding environment.

In just a moment, they’ll return to their frameworks, and once again, the worries and stomachaches arise. What will happen this year? What challenges will we face?

Now is the time to schedule a meeting with all the subject teachers. Get to know them, explain, and let them know that you are here for the children and are aiming for full cooperation.

Now is the time to remind yourself how important your time with the children is. The experiences, the laughter, and the empowerment must also be present during the school year.

To show our children that we are here for them, in good times and bad. This is a lifelong contract!

Loving to love them,

Living happily here with ADHD

@Parenting with Responsibility - Ilana Kahana, Parenting Consultation and Guidance