Parent Guide

Parenting a child with ADHD is more difficult due to their core challenges with executive functions (attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, organization), leading to constant behavioral issues, defiance, and academic struggles. All of this together creates immense parental stress, exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy, often requiring extraordinary patience, consistency, and support systems to manage the unpredictability and emotional toll on the family. The inconsistency of ADHD itself (knowing how but not always doing) and managing societal stigma add layers of difficulty.

You’re human, and you’re a parent doing your best. You probably feel defeated and overwhelmed sometimes, and maybe even question your efforts. Try to understand that change can be slow, and setbacks are a normal part of change. Use setbacks as an opportunity for growth, and while you can’t condone bad behaviours from your child, you can shape what happens next.

There are a ton of websites out there with ADHD information. This one was created to effect real, positive change. We tried to keep it simple, but also informative.

Each module (explainer) has a short breakdown on the topic, and goes into detail using the same basic structure and questions. It has been proof-read and edited by an 11 year old, who is running the gauntlet of ADHD himself, and the site hopefully has a balance of fun, fact, and not taking things too seriously. Laughing about your child’s squirrel brain goes a long way to normalizing their brains, and turning shame into support.

If you notice links to YouTube, it’s on purpose. Your child will consume content no matter what you do – whether it’s at school, with friends, in their rooms on their devices, or sitting next to you on the couch watching TV. Zero tolerance has been shown to not be effective [Harm Reduction Journal, 2019]. So, instead of fighting it, shape what they are viewing. Mark Rober, Veritasium, and Action Lab (among others) all contain really amazing content, with clear explanations, visual demonstrations, and sustained engagement that provide actual learning outcomes. Think about Bill Nye, for the next generation. Research supports long-form educational content, and studies show over 70% of students found education videos helpful for learning [CBE, 2016].

Topics can cross into uncomfortable territory. For instance, substance use and addiction is a huge problem in our society – our friends over at Wellstream are leading the way in exploring ways to effectively reduce substance use in youth. Approaching all of these topics with curiousity – and keeping an open mind – is the goal here; and we don’t all have to agree. At the end of the day, we all want a positive outcome for our children.

References point to the professionals. Collating over 100 individual links to articles, tools, blog posts, and scientific journals was aided by AI, and this just scratches the surface. If you find anything out there that you think could help with any of the topics on this site, please feel free to reach out and send it our way!

I’ll leave you with this; There is a strong hereditary component to ADHD, with an up to 91% chance [CHADD, 2017] of passing the disorder to your children.

So, if you notice anything that resonates, take a deep breath! Here’s a link to a psychiatrist in British Columbia, Canada, that does adult ADHD assessments: Dr. Craig Emes.