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by Jennifer McKay (Author)
How to Parent When You Have ADHD is a comprehensive and accessible guide for parents who are raising children while managing ADHD themselves. Many parenting approaches assume a level of organisation, emotional regulation, structure, and consistency that can be difficult for ADHD parents to maintain. This book provides realistic, flexible strategies designed specifically for the neurodivergent parent who wants practical support without pressure or perfectionism.
The book begins by explaining how ADHD influences executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, organisation, communication, and stress responses. It explores why certain parenting tasks-such as following routines, preparing for transitions, or staying consistent-can feel overwhelming, and offers clear guidance that works with an ADHD brain rather than against it.
Readers will find practical tools for creating family routines, managing mornings and bedtimes, organising the home, handling reminders, reducing clutter, and using simple systems to support memory and planning. Each strategy is designed to be easy to implement, adaptable to different family situations, and sustainable even during periods of distraction, fatigue, or emotional overload.
The book also addresses the emotional side of parenting with ADHD, including common experiences such as guilt, overstimulation, impulsive reactions, burnout, and feeling "behind." It provides supportive advice for managing emotional regulation, building calm communication, strengthening parent-child relationships, and reducing conflict. Guidance is included for supporting both neurotypical and neurodivergent children, recognising early signs of emotional stress, and modelling healthy coping skills.
Further chapters explore building independence, creating ADHD-friendly environments, simplifying expectations, and using visual aids, cues, and routines to support the entire family. The book highlights the strengths that ADHD parents bring to parenting, such as creativity, empathy, flexibility, and problem-solving, and shows how these strengths can positively shape family life.
Written in a clear and understanding style, this guide is suitable for parents, carers, educators, and professionals supporting neurodivergent families. It provides both practical tools and compassionate insight, helping parents build confidence, structure, and emotional wellbeing within their household.
How to Parent When You Have ADHD offers a grounded, supportive approach to raising children while understanding and embracing the realities of an ADHD brain.
