“He Refused to Wear Socks Again”: The Power of Positivity for Kids with ADHD

If your mornings feel like a high-stakes obstacle course involving socks, spoons, and spontaneous emotional meltdowns, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to watch the clock tick down while your child negotiates peace treaties with their clothes.

And socks? Socks were once our most enormous battlefield.

The Great Sock Stand-Off

It always started the same way.

Me: “Time to get ready. Socks on.”

He stares at the wall like it’s a portal to Narnia

Me: “Come on, sweetheart, we need to go.”

Him: “But the socks feel wrong. The sun isn’t sunny enough. And I haven’t finished building my blanket fort.”

Cue meltdown.

Cue raised voices.

Cue me, holding his socks and questioning every parenting choice I’ve ever made.

Here’s the thing most people don’t realise: it wasn’t defiance. It wasn’t laziness. It wasn’t even about the socks.

It was sensory overload. It was transition resistance. It was the overwhelm of too many demands in a world that already felt like too much.

What Changed?

I stopped focusing on compliance.

I started focusing on connection.

Instead of demanding he wear the socks, I turned it into a race.

“Bet you can’t get to the door before I count to ten.”

Suddenly, it wasn’t about socks anymore. It was about winning. Play. Control. Choice.

That moment, tiny, silly, and unplanned, taught me something big:

Positivity isn’t just kindness. It’s a strategy.

Why Positivity Works (Especially with Neurodivergent Kids)

When we praise effort, reframe situations playfully, and approach with curiosity instead of control, we reduce resistance. We regulate first, and teach second.

This isn’t about pretending things are fine.

It’s about choosing to see the child beneath the chaos.

To name the good.

To believe they’re trying.

To remember that behaviour is communication, not manipulation.

What Positivity Might Actually Look Like in Practice:Saying “You’re trying really hard” instead of “You’re being difficult.”Creating a game out of transitions (Race you to the door. Pretend the floor is lava).Offering choices instead of commands (“Do you want to wear the blue socks or the red ones?”).Celebrating small wins: “You got dressed today even though it felt hard. That’s huge.”Using humour as a bridge, not a distraction.A Note for Shadow Teachers, Educators and Parents

If you’re supporting a child who seems “unmotivated” or “too much,” pause and ask:

What’s really going on beneath the behaviour?

Often, it’s not about what they won’t do. It’s about what they can’t yet do without support, safety, and a bit of fun woven into the routine.

Final Thought

A child who is met with criticism learns to brace.

A child who is met with encouragement learns to try again.

Positivity is not permissiveness.

It’s the belief that even the hardest mornings carry hope, and even the most minor shifts can create change.

Next time your child refuses to wear socks, try shifting the story.

Let the win come from connection, not control.

What’s one silly or surprising thing that worked for you with your child or student?

Sharing it in the comments might help someone else facing their own sock stand-off.

And if you’d like support with strategies that actually fit your child, you can book a 1:1 session with me here:

Click Here To Book Recommended Resources to Deepen Your Support·       Free Online Course –

ADHD in Child Development

A comprehensive, CPD-accredited course that breaks down ADHD symptoms, subtypes, and non-medical support strategies. It includes sections on parenting approaches and the impact of family dynamics, making it perfect for educators, students, and parents seeking a foundational understanding.

Who it’s for: Shadow teachers, parents, and anyone working with ADHD.

Child Development: Sleep Training

Sleep challenges often accompany emotional dysregulation and behavioural issues. This course provides insight into neurophysiology, common disorders, and tailored sleep-training strategies for neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD.

Who it’s for: Parents and educators seeking routine and regulation support.·       Book Recommendation

Mindful Parenting for ADHD –

A thoughtful guide packed with playful, positivity-focused techniques to calm stress and build connection. Ideal for parents and shadow teachers seeking practical strategies rooted in mindfulness and encouragement.

Focuses on real-life tools to foster emotional regulation and trustEmphasises understanding over correction, a perfect complement to the positive shifts in your blog postWhy These Resources Fit Perfectly Here

These courses and the book offer concrete tools you can start using today: curriculum-aligned strategies, sensory insights, and emotional scaffolding. They transform the theory of positivity into actionable support that your child or student can actually feel and respond to.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore the courses, grab the book, and let these resources help you turn those chaotic mornings into opportunities for connection and growth.

And if you’d like help tailoring these strategies to your child or classroom, feel free to book a 1:1 session with me:

Click Here To Book