As a parent of a child with ADHD and a partner who shares the same diagnosis, my journey in learning how to support them has been one filled with lessons, adjustments, and endless resilience. ADHD impacts every part of our family life, from managing daily routines to building stronger relationships. The goal isn’t just to make it through each day but to truly understand and connect with my child, my partner, and ultimately, myself.
Understanding Parent Training and Executive Function Coaching
Parent training is an evidence-based approach that teaches practical strategies to help children with ADHD manage behavior and executive functioning challenges. For our family, this meant learning how to respond calmly during emotional outbursts, support our child in completing non-preferred tasks, and provide structure in ways that reduce stress and conflict at home. This training has been a lifeline, helping us see improvement not only in our child’s behavior but also in our family dynamics.
Executive function coaching complements parent training by focusing on the skills that ADHD kids often find challenging, like Self-Monitoring, Planning, Organizing, and Problem-solving. Coaching helps kids develop strategies to think through tasks, delay gratification, and learn from mistakes—all skills that contribute to their independence. In our home, these strategies have been crucial to our child’s success in school and social situations, where structure and self-regulation make a big difference.
The Challenges We Face Daily
Living with ADHD in the family brings unique struggles. Emotional dysregulation can lead to intense and exhausting moments, and non-preferred tasks like homework often result in resistance. My partner and I also find ourselves constantly repeating directions or redirecting, which can be frustrating and tiring. Watching my child struggle socially and feeling overwhelmed by their own emotions is heartbreaking, yet understanding ADHD has given us insight into why these struggles occur and how to help.
Local Support in Cochrane
We’re fortunate in Cochrane to have local resources available for families like ours. Free virtual ADHD workshops offer guidance on living with ADHD, not just for children but also for adults and partners. These workshops are run by a clinical psychologist and have provided us with the tools to navigate ADHD as a family, understand its impact, and build better coping strategies. If you’re considering this for your family, talking to your doctor about these workshops could be a great first step.
Ongoing Learning from Experts
We have also found it essential to keep learning about ADHD from experts in the field that consistently review the latest research around this topic. Resources from professionals like Dr. Russell Barkley, Mike McLeod of Grow Now ADHD, and Ryan Wexelblatt of ADHD Dude offer practical advice and a deeper understanding of the condition. By educating myself on ADHD, I’m better equipped to support my family, recognize patterns, and develop strategies that work specifically for us.
Practical Tips for Families
Here are some strategies that have helped us manage ADHD in our home:
Break Down Tasks: For children with ADHD, large tasks can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller steps, like “start with picking up toys,” makes tasks more approachable.
Set Routines: Structured routines for mornings, homework, and bedtime create a sense of stability, helping kids know what to expect each day.
Encourage Breaks and Movement: ADHD kids benefit from regular breaks and physical activity to release energy and refocus.
Limit Screen Time: Screens can be a significant source of overstimulation for kids with ADHD. We limit screen time and encourage our child to engage in community activities that build real-world skills and connections, like what we offer at Village of Play.
Reinforce Positives: Celebrating effort and small successes helps my child feel valued and motivated to keep trying, even when things are hard.
Why This Journey Matters
Supporting a child with ADHD is about preparing them for life. By focusing on skills that build resilience and independence, we’re not only helping our child thrive now but also setting them up for a brighter future. And through parent training and executive function coaching, we’ve learned that the most effective support often comes from within our home, in those small, everyday interactions.
Living with ADHD is a journey, one that requires empathy, patience, and strength. For our family, building these connections and understanding ADHD better has made all the difference. We’re grateful for the tools we’ve found along the way and hope they can be as helpful for you and your family too.
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