How do I focus as an ADHD Homeschooling Mom?

[TealCookBook]

Hi, I am new here, and I have 3 kids- 1 confirmed ADHD 9 yr old, 1 probable ADHD 7 yr old, and a toddler. I also have ADHD myself. We have been homeschooling since K and now with a clingy toddler on a conflicting sleep schedule and determined mobility, our homeschool system is coming off the rails. We are ALL distracted and consequently not hitting our education goals. Everyone is relying on my spluttering Executive Function to get them through the day. Ahhhh! What do I do?! I really don't want to quit homeschool life-it is so rich and amazing when things are going well, it's just not right now. Ideas?

[NYCmom2]

congratulations on getting this far! I would not be able to function with those parameters with my ADHD either.

You definitely need to outsource some part of your demanding load. Perhaps a homeschooling coop in your area? Or putting the toddler in a small and caring 1/2 day daycare to allow for a focused school day environment? There are sometimes museums and non traditional schools that teach units of the homeschool curriculum you can drop off your older kids one day a week?

We don’t homeschool, so I don’t have a personal experience to bring to this.

[TealCookBook in reply to NYCmom2]

Thank you for your advice! It is easy for me to think that I should be able to do it all because I see the wasted space in the day where I could be doing something but I'm not because I am distracted. But maybe it just is too much. I will have to research what is available in our area. Thank you!

[Hominid711]

Why do you home-school? You say it's rich and amazing but is it that for your kids or just yourself? I would have hated it had I not been able to see my classmates and friends, just mum all day. ADHD doesn't make your kids unable to get an education but a mum with ADHD being all over the place surely does.There are other rich and amazing things for you out there, and for your kids: don't deprive them from the rich, amazing experience of a real school. Especially with ADHD.

(apart from that you don't have any teacher qualification, do you?)