NOLA Parents Of Children With ADHD: First Monthly Support Group

While at the International ADHD Conference recently, I stumbled onto a round table support group discussion. As a parent, spouse, sibling and daughter of innovator brains, I sat down and joined this intimate group. After an hour of listening, talking, laughing and crying, I felt stronger, loved and not alone. “We need this in New Orleans!” I thought. So, with the support of our new local CHADD chapter, we launched today our first monthly support group for parents of children with ADHD.

Parenting a child with ADHD can be so much fun and so exhausting. It can be an adventure and it can be exasperating. At our first meet-up, we discussed how ADHD affects our children’s social lives and can even lead to depression. We discussed strategies to find a balance while parenting and shared ideas for self care. We touched upon medication, nutrition and supplements. Other topics to be covered could be helping vs. enabling, how to set and maintain structure in the home, or how to manage electronics. We could discuss the impact of your child’s ADHD on your relationship with him, on your relationship with your spouse, and how it affects your family dynamics. We can discuss anything your bring to the table, or you can choose to simply listen, learn, and meet likeminded people. Your child’s strengths and challenges will change as he or she grows from toddler on through the teenage years, and it may not always be easy as a parent. Know that you are not alone.

Come join us every first Saturday of the month at 9:00 am. Our next meeting will take place on February 3rd, 2018. Stay tuned for the exact location, or reach out to me. Hope to see you next time!