Both Teaching and Parenting humans with ADHD can feel like playing pin the tail on a running donkey; do you remember that silly birthday party game from your early childhood? ADHD brains of all ages have a genetic PhD in dodging discomfort, mastering the art of all-or-nothing: they either sprint toward a challenge or serpentine away like it’s a fire-breathing dragon!
Now, put on the blindfold of your own neurodivergent traits and spin yourself in a chaotic circle of work-life balance, a forgotten assignment, or an infraction of the rules, and you’ll find yourself in a frantic chase after a rapidly moving target that you cannot see.
The answer to this difficult situation might appear daunting, yet dedicating some time each day to practice can significantly boost your confidence and trust in your teaching and parenting abilities when it comes to supporting the creativity and passion of ADHDers in a way that helps guide them to self-autonomy. The key to success: remain as calm and cool as a cucumber and uphold your non-negotiables.
The Why
For inquisitive minds pondering, “why on earth would I do that?” embracing a serene demeanor transforms you into the superhero, crafting a snug fortress of stability for your kids or students of any age! They can truly “borrow your pre-fontal cortex” to absorb your tranquility like sponges, learning to navigate stress with poise rather than succumbing to meltdowns or firing angry words back at you.
Maintaining your cool empowers you to think before you act, facilitating smoother communication and enhancing your problem-solving power, and helps them do the same. Furthermore, it sprinkles a dash of patience and empathy into your parenting or teaching potion. You need not always agree, but by being the calm amidst their storms, you guide them in bouncing back like champions and mastering emotions that may threaten to drown out the voice of reason.
And there’s the best part: When you remain cool as a cucumber, you diminish their uncanny ability to divert you from the core issues at hand. ADHDers cannot play the blame game or challenge your reasonableness if you stand firm in your calm. When you find your own peace amidst the ordinary trials of boundary testing, you uphold the rules without sinking into the infamous ADHD tangents we all recognize.
Being tranquil does not equate to bottling emotions like a shaken soda can; it is about recognizing those feelings and choosing your responses. You can summon your inner zen through mindfulness, deep breaths, or taking a moment of solitude when chaos descends. Prioritizing your calm not only elevates your parenting and teaching journey but also radiates harmonious vibes throughout the entire family or classroom!
What to Experiment with This Week: Dedicate time each day to step away from your hectic schedule. You might opt for a power nap, take a stroll outdoors, visit the gym, dive into your favorite book, or explore another activity. Make sure to spend at least 5 minutes daily engaging in a new de-stressing practice.
Yours in the journey,
Cara
