How do moms and dads work through sadness, guilt—and burnout?
Many parents have mixed feelings when their child is diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Relief comes from knowing the reason for his disruptive behavior and academic struggles. There is some guilt that the problem wasn’t diagnosed sooner, and there is sadness in knowing that he will face challenges most children don’t have to contend with. While you may fear what the future holds for him, you also hope that treatment will help. Beth and Joel had all those feelings after their nine-year-old son, Brian, was diagnosed with ADHD. They became his biggest supporters, and each found that filling that role required lots of work. Beth met with teachers to help Brian keep up with schoolwork. She drove him to weekly appointments with his therapist and to monthly appointments with his physician. Joel worked with Brian on following rules and sticking with homework and bedtime routines. Both coped with his frequent temper tantrums and helped him find his lost homework as
