What It’s Really Like Parenting a Child with ADHD – And How I Learned to Stop Fighting the Current
“Mumma, it’s concert time! You be the audience!”
It was 7:45 AM. The uniforms were ironed. The eggs were getting cold. My mind was racing through the usual checklist—breakfast, bag, meds, water bottle, transport.
But he was—barefoot in the living room, belting out a PJ Masks remix, eyes sparkling, limbs in motion.
We were late again. And somehow, this moment felt too big to interrupt.
I smiled. Just barely. “Two minutes,” I whispered, “just give him two minutes.”
The Unseen Side of ADHD at HomeBefore I understood ADHD, mornings like these were battlefields.
I’d raise my voice, bribe, count to five, and threaten to turn off the Wi-Fi.
He’d shut down. Or lash out. Or curl into himself mid-song.
And I’d feel terrible.
Why can’t I just get him to listen? Why does every simple task become a tug-of-war?
Here’s what no one really tells you about parenting a child with ADHD:
It’s not that they won’t do things.
Their brain is wired to feel everything—all at once and deeply.
They aren’t ignoring you.
They’re in a world that moves at its own rhythm. And we—rushed, adult, productivity-focused—keep trying to pull them out of it.
But what if we stopped pulling?
My Turning PointOne day, I joined instead of dragging him away from his morning dance.
We danced for two minutes. I mirrored his moves. Laughed with him. Let him lead. Then I said, “Shall we get dressed like superheroes now?”
He nodded. We did it together. No resistance. No meltdown.
That was when I stopped seeing his behaviours as “problems” and started seeing them as invitations.
Invitations to connect. To co-regulate. To build routines with him, not around him.
What Helped Me (And Might Help You Too)Here are a few small shifts that made a big difference in our home:
Use “first–then” language
Instead of “Stop dancing and get dressed,” I say,
“First dance, then uniform.”
Simple. Predictable. Non-confrontational.
Turn transitions into games.
We set a timer and make silly sound effects when it buzzes. It turns “ugh” moments into playful ones.
Prep the brain with visual cues.
A visual checklist with pictures (even hand-drawn ones!) helps him know what’s coming next. It reduces surprises and pushback.
Join their world—before inviting them into yours.
Two minutes of entering his story—dance, Lego, or a rambling tale—creates the trust and calm I need to guide him afterwards.
A Gentle Activity to Try TodayThe 2-Minute Join-In Ritual
Pick a moment today when your child is doing something that feels off-routine—dancing, playing, singing, lining up toys.
Pause.
Join them for just two full minutes—no instructions, no redirection.
Then say, “That was fun. Want to do [next task] with me now?”
You’ll be surprised how smooth transitions feel when they’re not forced but felt.
Final ThoughtParenting a child with ADHD doesn’t mean perfect routines or zero meltdowns.
It means learning a new rhythm. A rhythm that begins with connection, not correction.
If you’re walking this journey, too—know this:
You’re not failing. You’re learning. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Need a listening ear or personalized tools for your child?
Book a 1:1 consultation with me here: https://topmate.io/namita_das11.
Let’s walk this path together.
Recommended Reads Parenting ADHD with Empathy and Effectiveness: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurturing Success with Proven Strategies and Mindful Techniques This guide offers practical strategies and mindful techniques to help parents nurture their child’s success with empathy and effectiveness. ADHD Parenting: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Happy and Confident Kids Authored by Dr. Dheeraj Mehrotra, this book provides 200 tips to assist parents and educators in managing children with ADHD, aiming to raise happy and confident kids.Parenting Kids with ADHD, This book is designed for parents seeking to equip their children with life-changing skills to manage ADHD effectively.Free Online Courses ADHD in Child Development This free course delves into ADHD symptoms in children, exploring the impact of parenting styles and various treatment options. Introduction to ADHD Awareness Gains a comprehensive understanding of ADHD, including its diagnosis, treatment, and the importance of awareness in managing the condition. Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Ideal for educators and parents, this course offers strategies for working with children with hyperactivity disorder both at school and at home. Child Development: Self-Regulation Explore the role of self-regulation in early childhood development and learn techniques to improve children’s behaviour and self-esteem.These resources can provide valuable insights and practical tools to support your parenting journey. If you seek personalized guidance or have questions, please book a 1:1 consultation with us here: https://topmate.io/namita_das11.
Remember, you’re not alone on this path, and with the proper support and resources, you can navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys of parenting a child with ADHD.
