The dichotomy of ADHD

[ADHD_DAD]

Ever have a day when your child makes you so proud you want to bust and expends your patience to the point that you want to choke him at the same time? Today was such a day here. My son, like many of our kids, is very bright, but he struggled in the public school (because, face it, they don't want them there because it is more work to teach them, which is why the law has to force the school to accommodate kids like ours). Anyway, my son switched to a small private school this year and received his first report card today. It was excellent.!! I was so proud of him (and I told him that). BUT it's Friday and there's a pandemic, and work is slow and lots of people are counting me to keep them paid despite things being slow.... I sometimes need a tiny break from all the noise. However, tonight was the night that my son's ADHD wanted center stage! He was yelling and running in the house amd arguing and noise, noise, NOISE!!! I asked him 4 times to please either try to be quieter or go to his "hang out room" or outside (He usually gets asked nicely twice by me-tonight I gave him 4 times!). Anyway, the interaction ended with me "banishing" him to his hang out room so that I didn't lose my remaining patience. Then I went to my "man cave" and hid from him amd put on noise canceling headphones . Tomorrow things will be back to normal I hope. Love my son!! Happy Friday!!!

[Hidden]

I know those days well. Deep breaths and a lot of self reflection!

I hope you have a better day tomorrow and get your self care however you can get it. We all need our time outs/self care

[tma2014]

We had a night like that as well. I like to go outside for like 5 minutes and just breathe listen to sounds of the outdoors. I find it helpful! Then come inside semi refreshed. Last night we had a dance party in the kitchen with the family to help blow off the energy. 😁 Have a wonderful Saturday!!!

[Lindsay3411]

Been there! I like to call those days “sour patch kid days”- our exceptional children can be so at odds in the same moments. I am glad you have a space where you can go to just get some time. We are currently in a 1200 sq ft apartment waiting for our house to be finished. So, there is nowhere to go!!!! Haha. We struggle with the volume with my so - also hyper talking, but mostly the volume of his talking. Hang in there- like you said tomorrow will be a new day.

[Harnessinghope]

LOL. I know these times very well. I experience such wild varying emotions. I tend to be very noise-averse. It can be a challenge for me.

My daughter gleefully told me last night that parents don’t do anything and it’s not fair. She grabbed a small stop sign, stood on a table and said at the top of her lungs (in a condo) “Hee-hee, Ho-Ho, this has got to go!” She did this over and over and I cried laughing. I think seeing protestors has taught her something.

I am glad that I am not alone in these experiences. Thank you all for sharing.

[ADHD_DAD]

Thanks everyone for the responses. You have made me grateful for our private spaces in the house. My wife makes good use of hers in the evenings. She has a good sense of when my son is reaching "the wall" and makes her way to her space before he hits it. Saturday was better day. He helped me carry Christmas decorations up from storage. Be well. Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving.