Seeking Support Group for Moms Dealing with ADHD

Www.additudemag.com has some forums... As do other places (chadd, yahoo groups, etc.)... The problem, though, is pretty expected: the forums are pretty flighty overall.

In part because a lot of us parents are ADHD, and in part because ADHD kids require different energy levels from parents, so there's not a huge amount of time to spare. So there tends to be active periods, high turnover, and drop dead dull/near silent periods.

It's funny.. Actually... I know 4 moms on this board who are ADHD, and about 7 or 8 regular posters who have ADHD kids, and the same holds true. NONE of us answer every ADHD Q. We tend to go in cycles... Sometimes we feel like talking about it, sometimes not. So there's the microcosm here, that exists on ADHD forums as a whole.

I don't know if you have been on babycenter.com before - they have a group for parents of children with ADHD. What about some of the parents who have been in your care? Can you reach out to them?

See I was waiting for Riley to answer cause she is the keeper of the resources. I am more of a self taught.

I have found that the beauty of being the parent with ADHD is it makes it so much easier to raise kids with ADHD. I know, intuitively, what drives me and the same things drive my kids.

I would love to say it was difficult raising my kids but it isn't, really I would hate to raise everyone else's kids.

I know you are looking for support groups but I would love to give you a bit of advice. Don't look so much at books and training. Instead look in yourself for guidance. I have four kids, all four of them have ADHD, one had PDD (now there is a tough nut to crack! :P), they are as different as colors of the rainbow. Sure they still make up the rainbow but it is easy to see they are unique.

A couple of resources for you:

1. CHADD. It's a group for people dealing with ADHD. There are local chapters and given your location, there's likely to be one in your area where you can meet people in person.

2. DailyStrength.com. There are a couple of ADHD boards there. One is supposed to be for adults dealing with the condition, but it's probably 50/50 with parents. There's also a board for parents dealing with ADHD children.

Feel free to PM me and I can send you my email. I have a nine-year-old son with ADHD, so I know all about the difficulties of dealing with this condition.

I too have a son with ADHD. He will be 7 this September. Please PM me if you are looking for someone to talk to or just commiserate with. I think all of us on here know about the highs and lows or dealing with ADHD and can offer and take support when needed. The websites can be helpful at times, but sometimes there is just soo much on them it is overwheleming and just easier to reach out to someone directly.

I'll speak up too!

Although I don't live in NYC, I certainly am available to commiserate with you on all issues that this confounding little issue presents to our children.

I chose to medicate my daughter, only because I had the same issues she is struggling with now. I had no hesitation because I knew that this was a necessary step to take. Her medication messes with her appetite, and I am constantly trying to get her to eat when she sits down for a meal, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of the biggest issues that my daughter struggles with is not that she is reserved in approaching people, but that she isn't so good with the finer points of how to do this. She will talk to ANYBODY, regardless of whether they are her age or even her gender. We talk to her about this, but it is an ongoing learning process with her.

I am fiercely protective over my kids. You can imagine how this plays havoc with allowing my daughter to sort of learn this on her own.

....... sigh .......

E.