As a teacher, one of the phrases that was overused (and got kind of annoying to hear) was “Remember your why.” As if any of us would forget that we went into teaching for the kids. We wanted to help them become good humans and learn about their world through reading, writing, experimentation, and math. No teacher ever “forgets” the why.
My time in the classroom was hectic, busy, fun, challenging… all the things! But after 25 years, I was ready for something new. My “why” had shifted. My excitement, passion, and drive were right at home with my family.When our oldest son was in 1st grade, something changed. He was still well-liked by his teacher, and he was still sweet and funny, but a switch had been flipped. He would get angry at the drop of a hat—yelling, screaming, stomping. We wondered, what was going on?
After a colleague shared that her son had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and was showing similar behaviors, we made an appointment with our pediatrician, completed the Vanderbilt forms with his teacher, and received the official diagnosis: ADHD.
We talked about our options, started a non-stimulant medication, and found a wonderful LCSW. But I was hungry to learn more. I bought books on parenting boys with ADHD, attended online summits, and joined parent groups. I was desperate to learn everything I could so I could be the best possible advocate for my son. Sure, I had taught many students with ADHD over my 25-year career, but parenting a child with ADHD is entirely different than teaching one.
During my research, I stumbled across ADHD coaching. Immediately I thought, "THAT'S IT!" My heart raced, and my stomach did somersaults. An ADHD coach was exactly what I wanted to be. My son—and kids like him—need someone to serve as a practical guide for their everyday lives. Not a therapist, but someone to be the “guide on the side” to help them overcome the hurdles of executive functioning. Helping my son and kids like him is my why- they all deserve someone to be in their corner and to help them every step of the way!
Let Thrive and Shine Coaching Academy offer you and your child the practical strategies, executive functioning tools, and empathetic support your child needs so they can THRIVE and SHINE in their own unique way!
