The start of a new school year always feels like standing at the base of a mountain. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and a little daunting all at once. As a working mum with ADHD raising a child with ADHD, I’ve come to learn that back-to-school time isn’t just about shiny new stationery and first-day jitters—it’s about finding strategies to set up our family for success while embracing the unique way our brains work.
Planning Ahead (or Trying To!)
Let’s be honest: planning doesn’t always come naturally to us ADHD folks. But I’ve found that preparing for the school year in small, manageable steps makes a world of difference. Here’s what works for us:
Visual Schedules: My child thrives on visual cues, so we use a colourful wall calendar to mark important dates like the first day of school, excursions, and library days. Bonus: it helps me stay on track, too!
Packing Prep: We pack bags, snacks, and set out uniforms the night before because mornings in our house often resemble a whirlwind.
Morning Madness
Mornings are tricky for anyone, but when ADHD is in the mix, they can become chaos-central. To make mornings smoother:
Chunk It Down: I break tasks into bite-sized pieces. Instead of “Get ready for school,” it’s “Brush your teeth,” then “Put on your shoes.”
Timers and Rewards: My ten-year-old loves a little friendly competition, so we use timers like this: “Let’s see if we can get your shoes on faster than the timer counts to 60!” If they win, they pick the car playlist for the ride to school.
School Supplies and ADHD-Friendly Tools
Traditional school supplies don’t always cut it for kids like mine. This year, we’re armed with:
Fidget Tools: These help my child stay focused during lessons.
Colour-Coded Folders: To keep homework and notices from getting lost in the backpack abyss.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones: For those overwhelming classroom moments.
Advocating for My Child
One of the most important parts of our back-to-school routine is reconnecting with my child’s teacher. ADHD isn’t always well understood, so I make it a priority to:
Share Insights: I explain what works well for my child—like movement breaks or sitting near the front of the classroom.
Build a Partnership: Teachers are allies, and keeping an open line of communication is key.
Managing My Own ADHD
Parenting with ADHD means I have to manage my own challenges while supporting my child. Here’s how I keep myself grounded:
Self-Care Isn’t Optional: I schedule time for things that help me regulate, whether it’s a walk, catching up on my favourite series, or setting a timer for a quick declutter session.
Outsource When Possible: I’ve learned to delegate tasks that overwhelm me, like coordinating extracurricular schedules or last-minute birthday gift shopping.
Embracing the Chaos
Here’s the truth: no matter how much I prepare, there will always be days when we forget the library book or arrive at school without a hat. But I’ve learned to give myself grace and to teach my child the same. ADHD doesn’t mean we’re failing—it means we’re navigating life a little differently.
So, as we step into this new school year, my mantra is simple: “Progress over perfection.” Because for families like ours, every little win is worth celebrating.
Good luck to all the mums, dads, and carers out there gearing up for the back-to-school season. Let’s embrace the journey—challenges, triumphs, and all!
Signing off, Bianca.L
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