The day the diagnosis came in, I thought I’d finally be able to breathe.
Instead, I found myself holding it in.
I stared at the words on the report—terms I’d googled in the dead of night, phrases whispered between teachers, things I knew in my gut but hadn’t dared to say aloud. And now, there they were. Printed. Official.
My son has ADHD.
I thought knowing would put an end to the confusion.
However, it only raised a thousand new questions.
“Do I need a special school?”
“Will he ever catch up?”
“How do I tell my family?”
“What if I mess this up?”
There’s something nobody prepares you for: the hollow silence after the label.
You’re expected to get into action. To fix. To learn. To move.
But inside, your heart is screaming: “You have now… what?”
The Problem Most Parents Don’t Talk About
As a parent who’s been through this—you’d think I had all the tools. And I do, technically.
But what parents need first isn’t a therapy plan. It’s a breath. A pause. A reset.
They need to realise your child hasn’t changed.
Only your awareness has.
And that’s where the magic begins.
Because now, you can finally begin to understand what they’ve been trying to show you all along.
Here’s What Helped Me (And the Parents I Work With)
- Anchor in the Present
The brain races ahead: high school, jobs, college, rejection, “What if he never…?”
Breathe. Come back to today.
Did your child smile today? Try something new? Get through a meal without a meltdown? That’s where you start.
- Create a ‘Now Map’
Instead of a long-term plan, jot down 3 areas you want to focus on this month:
- Emotions (e.g., fewer outbursts)
- Routine (e.g., smoother mornings)
- Connection (e.g., 10 minutes of playtime daily)
These are manageable, measurable, and meaningful.
- Watch Before You Fix
Instead of rushing to correct, take a week to simply observe.
What lights them up? When do they shut down?
Keep a soft log like:
- “Monday: Had a meltdown when asked to stop TV. Tuesday: Calmer when given a 5-minute warning.”
- These small insights are gold.
- Let Play Lead
Children speak in play, not plans.
So whether it’s block towers or made-up songs, enter their world.
You’ll be surprised what they show you when you stop trying to lead the way.
Try This: The “Now Jar” 🫙✨
A potent, simple activity to ground your parenting in the present.
What you need: A clean jar, a few strips of paper, and a pen.
Every evening, write down one thing that went well.
- “He brushed his teeth without a reminder.”
- “She told me she was sad instead of crying.”
- “I stayed calm during a tough moment.”
On hard days, open the jar. Read a few.
Let those small wins remind you that progress is happening, even if it’s quiet.
You Have Now. What?
Now… you begin.
Not by rushing. Not by fixing. But by noticing.
By being present, playful, and patient.
Because now is the only place your child truly exists.
And that’s precisely where they need you to be.
🧠 Need help building your “now map”? Let’s walk through it together.
💬 Tell me in the comments—what does your “now” look like today?
🧩 Recommended Resources
· Calming & Focus Tools
Practical sensory tools can help your child regulate emotions, focus, and feel calmer during transitions and challenges.
A mess-free fidget board your child can quietly explore with fingers—great for self-regulation and grounding moments.
Visually calming and portable, these timers offer soothing movement—ideal for setting time limits or calming before transitions.
Having one or two of these in your toolkit offers a tangible way to support small “now” moments of calm and focus.
· Free Online Courses
Strengthen your understanding and confidence with self-paced, no-cost courses designed for parents and professionals.
Explores symptoms, subtypes, and non-medical support strategies—perfect for mapping your own “Now Map” with newfound clarity.
Delve into signs, school‑home strategies, and behaviour approaches that align well with what we’ve discussed in the blog.
A more in-depth, certificate-style course is ideal for individuals seeking a comprehensive understanding of the impact of ADHD and effective strategies for managing it.
All courses are free to enrol and study, with optional certification available.
🎯 How to Use These Tools
- Pair a sensory tool with your “Now Jar”: On tough evenings, let your child choose a fidget or timer, write their small win, and celebrate together.
- Study a course module over a weekend, then discuss one insight with your child or co-parent.
- Bridge course and play: After learning a calming strategy in a module, turn it into a playful routine—like a 3-minute “calm-down corner” with the bubbler.
These aren’t magic fixes—but trim, intentional options to carry your “now” forward with confidence.
If you’d like help integrating any of these into your child’s routine—or want personalised support?
💬 Which resource speaks to you today? Drop a comment below!
EducateAble 