Parenting with ADHD and Executive Functioning Challenges: Supporting Your Kids While Supporting Yourself
October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding about ADHD and how it affects families. ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is much more than being “hyper” or “distracted.” It’s a description of the neurodiverse mind that influences attention, self-regulation, impulsivity, and executive functioning skills, the mental processes that allow us to plan, organize, start and finish tasks, and regulate emotions.
This may be a hot take, but we really don’t love the words attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder. They tend to make people think of the two ideas of being distractible and hyper as the hallmarks of the condition when really, it is so, so much more than that. ADHD is about regulation—of attention, of emotions, of motivation, and of energy. It is about the brain’s executive functioning system, which governs planning, prioritizing, working memory, and self-control. It’s about how a person engages with their environment, processes stimulation, and navigates demands that don’t always match their wiring. Reducing it to “can’t focus” or “too hyper” misses the complexity and the lived experience of those who carry both the struggles and the unique strengths that come with ADHD.
For parents who have ADHD themselves, navigating these challenges while raising a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming—but understanding how ADHD works and its patterns in families can help you feel more confident and effective as a parent.
ADHD in Children: Signs and Differences
ADHD often shows differently in boys and girls:
Common ADHD symptoms in children include:
ADHD in Adults: What Parents May Not Realize
ADHD doesn’t disappear in adulthood. Many parents first discover their own ADHD when their child is diagnosed. ADHD is actually a disorder of self-regulation. In order to regulate ourselves, we first have to be aware that we aren’t regulated! We often hear adults say that they somehow managed their lives before knowing they had ADHD, but that it was a struggle. There is usually a catalyst or event that happens, urging the person to get a diagnosis.
Adult ADHD can present as:
We frequently hear from parents who call for support for their child, only to realize they themselves are struggling, or have recently been diagnosed. Discovering ADHD as an adult can feel validating, helping explain patterns that have impacted work, relationships, and parenting.
ADHD and Executive Functioning: How They Intersect
Executive functioning (EF) refers to the mental skills needed for managing life tasks. ADHD and EF deficits often overlap. EF skills include tasks of self-regulation like:
Children and adults with ADHD may struggle with EF skills, making daily life and parenting more challenging. When both parent and child share ADHD traits, the family may experience cycles of disorganization, missed deadlines, and heightened stress.
ADHD Runs in Families
ADHD has a strong genetic component. Research indicates that 40–60% of parents of children with ADHD also meet criteria for the disorder. Recognizing these patterns can help parents approach their child’s needs with more empathy and understanding, while also seeking support for themselves.
Supporting Your Child When You Also Have ADHD
Parenting a child with ADHD while managing your own challenges can feel overwhelming, but there are strategies that help both parent and child thrive:
Support Your Family with ADHD & Executive Functioning Tools
To help families navigate these challenges, we’ve curated a selection of free and paid downloadable resources designed to support both parents and children.
Our online store includes:
Explore our full collection here: Visit Our ADHD & EF Resources Store
Join Our Workshop: Parenting With Your Own ADHD & EF Challenges
This October, in honor of ADHD Awareness Month, we’re hosting a virtual workshop for parents navigating ADHD and EF challenges - both for themselves and their children.
In this 60 -90 minute session, parents will learn:
Whether your child has ADHD, EF challenges, or is showing early signs, this workshop is designed to provide parents with practical strategies and support while addressing their own needs.
Great Resources for ADHD:
Why ADHD Awareness Month Matters
ADHD Awareness Month reminds us that ADHD affects the whole family - not just the individual diagnosed. By educating ourselves, recognizing intergenerational patterns, and seeking support, parents can foster empathy, connection, and growth in their families.
Reserve Your Spot for the Workshop
Offices in Cary, Chapel Hill, and Fuquay Varina, NC