Brenda / Mommy Everything you are going through is very typical. I actually apprediated your concerns because (as an ADHD mom & as a doctrial student in Clinical Psychology) my dissertation is in regards to how ADHD affects parenting skills. I would love your feedback, i.e. being bored at the park, etc. as I encountered many of the same dilemmas with my parenting. Actually, at the age of my daughters, it continues to be a struggle. I get so unfocused when one of them tells me a story about their day, or I am so impatient with their relational problems. As a mom you are just aware is a great step! Kristy

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First of all, you are like all the rest of us moms so do not feel badly! I was wondering if you are on ADD meds and if so, do you take an antidepressant with it? I take Concerta but found that I have to add an antidepressant with it (Celexa works for me) otherwise, I feel distant and just feel like I would rather not participate but would like for my kids to play on their own. We all know as moms of little ones that that does not happen and they need us to be a part of their playtime. We want to be and the guilt piles up when we don't but I know I would rather not engage in playtime either. The antidepressant helps me to become more involved and less like a forced (and irritable participant) like I once was with just the Concerta. Always remember that with ADD you cannot just take a magic pill and everything will be better....you have to become part of your own behavior modification plan and you should not feel like you have to do that on your own. If you get meds from a physician only, you need to follow up with him and recognize if they are making your moods better or if there are side affects your experiencing. A therapist who deals with ADD helps with all of this. Best of luck to you...you will find your niche with your little ones and will enjoy the time you have with them.

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I pretty much raised 4 children by myselft. I am not going to say I was a terrific or perfect parent, but I just worked at trying to find a balance for what they needed and what I needed. I am fortunate that I have an a strong love for reading. Although I know that is difficult for many people with ADHD/ADD. It was because of my creative mind that I was able to focus on reading. I never really just read, I became the story and was part of the fantasy of it, it was a good release for me from the real world. Only 2 of my 4 children loved books the same way at first, and those 2 are the ones that are ADHD. Because I told them how you could become the story, and it was really much better than a movie, because you saw the scenery you reflected, and made the fantasy come true. My 2nd son was hard to deal with though because he had oppositional behavior/defient disorder as well, we now think he may have Asbergers syndrome as well (And he is in college and will be this year) I made a task of taking them to the library every weekend (I worked 2 jobs, and was to tired during the week) from the time they were toddlers. I let them pick out 2 books each. And we read SHORT stories together, and then we would go to the park, or places like Chucky Cheese. I found that was a great place to tire them out so I could go home and put them down for a nap, so I could do what I wanted. Children need to learn that they need time by themselves sometimes, like looking at picture books, or watching a movie (Like Veggie tales which is still some of my favorite childrens movies) If they think we need to entertain them all the time, they will never learn to be self reliant (Yes, even preschoolers) I also bought them educational flash cards, and interactive games (We could not afford a computer, so we bought the pre-programed educational games. Hope this helps at least a little, do not feel guilty for needing some time to yourself, it is the only way you will truly blossom as a person.........good luck :O)

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