Some Days are Difficult!

Some days are not that great.

Like day before yesterday.

I had spent a great deal of time planning a fun lesson on forces for Z, where we do several experiments with his toy cars. I was very excited to try the lesson with him.

Within 30 minutes he was frustrated because the tasks were too complex and his working memory did not serve him well enough to complete them without a lot of hand holding. For example, he had to measure how far his toy car travelled after pushing it with varied degrees of force. This required him to start measuring from the same spot in each trial, hold the tape measure at that point, pull the tape till it reached its end, mark that spot, continue measuring untill he reached the point where the car had stopped, write down all his measurements in order and then do the math while holding several numbers in his head. By the time we reached the third measurement, he had a complete meltdown! By this time, 45 minutes had passed and we had only done two measurements. I was also at the end of my patience. So, when he sat down to do 39+39+39+39+35, he just couldn't!

I lost my cool and the entire plan fell flat on its face with Z cursing at me and me shouting at him!

This is DESPITE me KNOWING that he has working memory challenges. DESPITE me KNOWING that I should have scaffolded the math. DESPITE me knowing that I should have given him a break and ignored all his taunts when he was frustrated.

I have to be constantly reminded by my husband to be patient, to let things slide and to CONNECT BEFORE CORRECTING! It is super hard for me!

We completed the lesson the next day where I had to use every ounce of will power to practise the above.

Don't let anyone dismiss your ADHD child's struggles as minor. Sustaining effort is very difficult for them!

Also, give yourself grace. Some days are difficult!