Parenting a Child with ADHD | Something Wonderful
Hello Again – Mrs P here (but you can call me Sandra).
Just a quick diversion today from the signs and symptoms you may notice as you strive onwards and upwards in your journey of parenting a child with ADHD.
A bit of Light relief, shall we call it?
Because something very wonderful happened last night.
And it may not seem wonderful to everyone but it was to me.
Yesterday another lovely Mum from Canada saw my facebook page and via that page she read this blog.
She too has been facing the challenge of bringing up a child with ADHD with very little if any outside support…
…makes me wonder if it’s the same in every country?
In any case she sent me this lovely message and it may resonate with you too…
“Hi, I saw your page and read your blog. I wish I was crafty enough to write a blog. I have a son who is 6 and he has adhd, sensory processing disorder and anxiety. My days are colourful to say the least. There are so many struggles….. my number one complaint is the fact that there is slim to no support for this little man, unless I pay out of pocket, and let’s face it, my last lottery ticket didn’t win. Again. I have never loved, and despised the same human in my life as much as I do my son, not so much him, but the adhd he has. My heart breaks for his struggles, every day. I hurt for the way he is and what he deals with at school, the parents that look at me like I’m an asshole because I have ‘that kid’, yet they don’t know him like I do. They don’t know that he cries real tears. Anyhow, I’m just ranting now, but it was nice to see your blog.”
It really touched my heart and I had a chat with her afterwards and she also shared these 2 lovely poems which also made me cry….
…and each time I read them I cry again.
Because they say everything there is to say and they convey all that it means both to have ADHD and to be parenting a child with ADHD.
Parenting a Child with ADHD | Something Wonderful
I asked her permission before sharing as I thought these poems would help other mum’s too who are struggling with the challenges of parenting a child with ADHD.
Here’s the first one – I hope you like them…
Take My Hand
Take My Hand Take my hand and come with me
I want to teach you about ADHD
I need you to know, I want to explain,
I have a very different brain
Sights sounds and thoughts collide
What to do first? I can’t decide
Please understand I’m not to blame
I just can’t process things the same
Take my hand and walk with me
Let me show you about ADHD
I try to behave, I want to be good
But I sometimes forget to do as I should
Walk with me and wear my shoes
You’ll see its not the way I’d choose
I do know what I’m supposed to do
But my brain is slow getting the message through
Take my hand and talk with me
I want to tell you about ADHD
I rarely think before I talk
I often run when I should walk
It’s hard to get my school work done
My thoughts are outside having fun
I never know just where to start
I think with my feelings and see with my heart
Take my hand and stand by me
I need you to know about ADHD
It’s hard to explain but I want you to know
I can’t help letting my feelings show
Sometimes I’m angry, jealous or sad
I feel overwhelmed, frustrated and mad
I can’t concentrate and I loose all my stuff
I try really hard but it’s never enough
Take my hand and learn with me
We need to know more about ADHD
I worry a lot about getting things wrong
Everything I do takes twice as long
Everyday is exhausting for me
Looking through the fog of ADHD
I’m often so misunderstood
I would change in a heartbeat if I could
Take my hand and listen to me
I want to share a secret about ADHD
I want you to know there is more to me
I’m not defined by it you see
I’m sensitive, kind and lots of fun
I’m blamed for things I haven’t done
I’m the loyalist friend you’ll ever know
I just need a chance to let it show.
Take my hand and look at me
Just forget about the ADHD
I have real feelings just like you
The love in my heart is just as true
I may have a brain that can never rest
But please understand I’m trying my best
I want you to know, I need you to see
I’m more than the label, I am still me!!!!
By Andrea Chesterman-Smith
As someone who also suffers from ADD as well as being someone who is parenting a child with ADHD, I really can feel that these words mean so much.
And they also meant a huge amount to my new friend.
Parenting a Child with ADHD | Something Wonderful
Here’s the second one – it’s about having an ADHD son (I have a daughter) but it could apply to both sexes….
My ADHD Child
He’s bouncin’ off walls, a super ball gone insane,
He runs through your world like an off-rail freight train,
Interruptions are constant, tantrums galore,
When it’s time to do homework, he’s gone, out the door.
The drama is constant, oh his foot fell asleep,
He moans and he wails, the theatrics run deep,
School is a nightmare, the teachers are lost,
If they only could see, he is worth the cost.
He is brighter than most, as most kids are,
And with patience and love, I know he’ll go far,
But what I must take from well meaning friends
Don’t let him do that. Oh these rules that he bends.
You’re not a good parent. Your child’s really rude.
His temper’s Outrageous. He has hands in his food.
He hears this and wonders, just what’s wrong with me?
I tell him, You’re special, you have A.D.H.D.
Now A.D.H.D. is a gift from above,
It teaches us grown-ups how to strengthen our love.
It helps to teach your teachers, no two kids are the same.
You have awesome energy that could bring you great fame.
You don’t need much sleep, you never wear down.
You’re silly and funny, when you act like a clown.
You’ve felt lots of pain from what people have said,
But you pray for those people when you go to bed.
So you try every day to make a fresh start,
For God gifted you with an extra big heart.
As I look at my child, he sees through my soul,
My heart feels like busting, as I realize my goal.
I know this boy like no one else could,
He’s a blessing to me, he’s strong and he’s good.
So I’ll love him and guide him through the worst of the worst,
And he’ll make a great man (if I don’t kill him first).
I’m kidding of course ’cause I know what’s to be,
When I look in his eyes, I see a reflection of me.
by Tracy Nicolous
I’d love to hear your comments below on these 2 beautiful poems…
…and I want to say A HUGE THANK YOU to Sandra (yes, coincidentally we have the same name!!) for connecting with me and sending these beautiful poems that I am sure will bring some comfort and a smile (or maybe like me a tear or 20!!) to others parenting a child with ADHD.
Check out my facebook page here, or you can friend request and message me on my personal page here.
Signing off for now but please share your thoughts below – I promise to respond to all comments.
Please also share this post with anyone you think it may help.
Sending you love and hugs ….because if you are parenting a child with ADHD you probably need them!!
