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Supporting Parents, Supporting Kids: Why ADHD Parenting Support Matters

Writer's picture: Laura AtackLaura Atack

Smiling woman at top, three diverse women chatting and holding red mugs below. Text: ADHD Parenting Collective: Tools, Tips, and Community.

When I first started talking about ADHD parent coaching, the response was immediate. Parents reached out, sharing their struggles, their wins, and—most of all—their need to connect with others who get it.

And honestly, that makes so much sense. Parenting a child with ADHD can feel like navigating an ever-changing maze. One day, you find a routine that works; the next, it’s as if someone has moved all the walls. You read books, listen to podcasts, try strategies that should help… but what if they don’t? What if your child is the one who doesn’t fit the mould?


This is where parent-to-parent support becomes so powerful. Because when we help parents feel more confident, connected, and equipped, we’re not just supporting them—we’re helping their kids, too.


Rethinking ADHD: Seeing Strengths Instead of Just Struggles

So often, ADHD is framed as a list of problems to solve. Impulsivity. Distractibility. Emotional outbursts. But when we take a step back, we can start to see the other side of the story.

A child who constantly seeks movement? They may have the energy and drive of a future athlete, dancer, or explorer. A child who struggles with focus? That same brain, when deeply engaged, can hyper-focus in incredible ways. The child who resists authority might grow into a strong leader, unafraid to question the status quo.

One of the most powerful shifts we can make as parents is learning to see these strengths—not instead of the challenges, but alongside them. This doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties (believe me, I know how exhausting it can be). But when we start to recognise what’s working in our child, it changes the way we parent. And more importantly, it changes the way our kids see themselves.



Six people sit on a sofa, laughing and chatting in a cozy living room with soft lighting and plants. Casual attire and warm ambiance.

Why Supporting Parents Is the Key to Supporting Kids

Parenting a child with ADHD isn’t just about managing their challenges—it’s also about managing our own emotions, expectations, and energy. And that’s tough to do alone.

So much of the support available is focused directly on children, but here’s the truth: no single therapy, strategy, or school accommodation is as powerful as a parent who feels resourced, supported, and able to advocate effectively.

When parents have a space to share, learn, and reflect, everything shifts. They become more patient. More confident. More flexible. They’re able to see past the daily battles and focus on what their child really needs.

And when parents change, kids feel it.

A child whose parent understands their need for movement is less likely to be constantly told to "just sit still." A child whose parent sees their emotional intensity as a signal (rather than just ‘bad behaviour’) learns to feel safe and understood. A child whose parent has learned tools that actually work—rather than just trying to ‘fix’ them—feels more connected and accepted for who they are.


Finding What Works—for You and Your Child



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One of the biggest frustrations I hear from parents is that the advice they find doesn’t always fit their family. A strategy that works beautifully for one child might completely backfire with another. A reward chart that motivates one child might leave another totally indifferent.

That’s why real-life, parent-led support is so valuable. When parents come together, they share what’s actually worked in their homes. They compare notes, troubleshoot together, and come away with a toolkit that’s based on lived experience—not just theory.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all figuring this out as we go. And having a community to do that with? It makes all the difference.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re looking for support, connection, and a space where you can figure out what works for your child, I run an ADHD Parenting Collective, where parents come together to learn, share, and build their confidence. You can find all the details here.

If group coaching doesn't sound like your thing, I'd love to support you individually - you can find out more about that here


When we support parents, we support kids. And they deserve the best of us.

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