We’ve been having the hardest time with our almost 5 year old. We’re almost certain she has ADHD and getting through the simplest tasks are killing us. Just about everything is a fight. We also have a 4 month old and adjusting to a sibling has been easy overall but I know she struggles with having to share the attention. We’ve been trying to create firmer boundaries with her and hold them and follow a more “ADHD friendly” parenting style and over the past few days it seems to really be working. Today was one of the best days we’ve had in a while.

Tonight my daughter started having a meltdown over bedtime like she usually does. In the middle of it she picked up a book, swung it over her head and smashed it into her bed frame. I immediately took the book and told her she can have it back in the morning. I proceeded to tuck her in, tell her I love her, that she needs to practice some deep breaths and just go to sleep because she’d had a long day and was tired. I left to room and she calmed down. About 5 mins later she called me back for another hug and kiss and told me “thank you for helping me calm down. You’re right. Im really tired.” and I swear it fixed everything in me.

I have ADHD and as a kid and would do the same things as my daughter does. My mom’s response would be to just leave me screaming. She’d refuse to come back until I had calmed down but she never took the time to show me how to calm down or explain why I was feeling the way I did. She expected me to already know this. She did her best, and now I know how hard and how taxing it must have been but what I wouldn’t have done to go back to when I was a kid and just have her help when I was falling apart. I am just so proud. Of both my daughter and myself. Today was just one of those super rewarding parenting days.