Someone Should Have Told Me Puberty Is Worse Than ADHD
Do you sometimes feel at a loss for how to handle life with a child who has ADHD? Check out how these parents meet challenges head on, including establishing a routine and juggling the onset of puberty.
Setting expectations – about behavior as well as what is going to happen the next day or week – is important. Telling a child what to expect calms him down. -Karen, Wisconsin
You have to learn to be more patient. You realize that your definition of patience changes when you raise a child with ADHD. – Amye Webster, Anacortes, Washington
Don’t take things personally. I wish I had known that my child’s inability to fall asleep wasn’t my fault. I attributed her sleeplessness to my being a bad mom. I thought that if I were stricter and more consistent, she would be able to settle down and go to sleep. – Amy Knapp, Monona, Wisconsin
That a child with ADHD can be extremely focused when he wants to be. I did not realize that was possible, so I didn’t think my child had ADHD. -Anne, Los Angeles, California
That puberty was going to be 110 percent worse with ADHD. – Betty Hernandez, Ocala, Florida
The importance of routines and structure in a child’s life, not to mention the importance of sleep and being aware of the fact that an ADHD child can be extremely sensitive. – An ADDitude Reader
Don’t wait until a child grows older to see if troubles correct themselves. It’s easier to put organization systems and routines in place when she’s young. – Christina P., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I wish I had known how crucial it is to help a child establish friendships. Friends can make or break a child’s life at school. – Amy Day, Beecher City, Illinois
[Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Women and Girls]
I wish I had known how differently ADHD affects girls. I would have better understood what my daughter was going through and tried harder to give her the support she needed. – Debbie, New Hampshire
