Can you parent a child with ADHD... and still be happy?

[Pennywink]

This article landed in my inbox from CHADD today - thought it may be of interest.

chadd.org/AttentionPDFs/ATT...

I really enjoyed this quote (in reference to dealing with braggy parents of perfect kids):

"Sooner or later, all children make disappointing decisions and these parents do not have the coping skills or resilience that you have acquired."

[Cjkchamp]

I live by the words of Forrest Gump, “life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” The rollercoaster ride never stops. I can say that things are better now at 6.5 with my son than they were a 5. I can say we have more good days than bad. I can say it warms my heart to see him laughing, playing, and when he gives be a big good morning boo boo hug. ADHD is hard, and I struggle. Compounded with the other aspects of life sometimes things seem unbearable, but there are happy days. There are incidents that happen with my son that can bring me down for hours, days, and a couple of times for weeks...but you pick yourself up push forward and a happy moment will come strolling by.

[BBBwithADD]

Thanks for sharing. I too, had to avoid those "parents of perfect children." My son is 20 and I truly don't think I have had a bragging moment since he quit swimming in his senior year of high school after finishing season as 6th in his state for 100 backstroke. (See I am still bragging about something that happened 3 years ago LOL)

Being on social media also added to my unhappiness especially at times like graduation, mile-markers like college acceptances, awards received, scholarships, etc. because again I had nothing to submit/post about my child. What am I going to say, "My son just returned home from his 4th semester of college and passed ONE class! wahoo!)

I am now focusing on what is good - I recently got married and moved to the beach, I love my job and it is my time to focus on me and not live for my son. Don't get me wrong, I am still very much parenting him just not sacrificing me so much.