After I saw this on the ADHD Families website, I got to really thinking about ADHD and how it affects family. And it is by no means just a blended family. In fact, ADHD really can affect all types of relationships.
I have it. My son has it. My daughter has it. Nobody in our ‘new’ family has it. It was a blessing to have a man come into my life with extreme patience and understanding. He doesn’t always ‘get me’ but he sure tries. Mine is mostly managed as I am an adult and I find it much easier to fight and control off urges and other impulses than I did as a child. My son’s is horrible, however he is medicated so that helps tremendously. If he misses a does, I am not the only one that notices. He is miserable. (we don’t miss very often at all!) My daughter on the other hand, is NOT medicated and has a much milder case than either my son or I. However, she does have it and she is 10 and she has difficulty controlling her behavior, reading others reactions, sensing when she’s gone to far or thinking ahead very clearly.
How does this affect our blended family? Unfortunately, there are times when the kids will get into arguments, be angry with each other or something equally as irritating because of the action or actions of one of the children who has ADHD. My ADHD affects the family in that I tend to be scatter-brained one minute and the next I seem to be so put together, I believe it confuses the kids a lot. In addition I do tend to be impulsive still, yet I can control it better. Sometimes words tumble out of my mouth though, before thinking it through, and while thankfully for the most part I have never injured anyone with anything I have said, it still causes me problems.
You realize of course, that this is the same in any family dynamic. Whether it be a blended or step family, or a couple living together or a mom, dad and child. ADHD really can be a problem, and it takes special people to learn more about it, try and understand it, and be patient.
Does ADHD affect you in your family dynamic?
