Uncharted Waters: A Retreat for Parents Navigating ADHD in Themselves and Their Children

Did you know ADHD is hereditary? If you've recently received a diagnosis alongside your child, you're probably feeling

• relieved
• guilty
• angry
• sad
• elated
• overwhelmed
• alone

And sometimes all of those things at the same time, and thinking, "now what?"

Summer with kids at home/working from home has you counting the days and minutes for schools to go back, only you fear that too because school doesn't always mean your workload is less, because your ADHD kid(s) hate school, so there's no respite in sight.

You're navigating healing your own childhood trauma of being misunderstood, shouted at a lot or are exhausted from masking this long.

You've probably been hyper-focusing on finding help, the right medication, diet, sleep aids and school support for your child that you've neglected your own needs for far too long.

It's affecting your friendships, family relationships with your own parents - who think you're mad - and possibly straining (maybe even ended) your marriage too.

I've been there. And an ADHD Retreat with ADHD Works last year changed my life.

This October I'm hosting a retreat just for parents and carers who have ADHD themselves and who are also looking after a child with a neurospiky profile that may include traits of #adhd #autism #pda

As co-founder of Gaia Learning - which recently became the only online school in the world to be recognised as an ADHD Friendly School by the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity and the only online school dedicated to #neurodivergent learners - I speak with mums and dads, carers and educators day in day out about the highs and lows of parenting ADHD kids.

Undoubtedly it's a blessing to parent and teach the most empathic, creative, energetic young people, but the reality of keeping them safe and well (if you haven't seen my posts about air ambulances, throwing knives, falling out of trees, school avoidance, panic attacks, shaved heads and missing eyebrows, scroll back over the past few years months) is often at the expense of our own wellbeing and the reason I'm actually grey.

By age 12, its been estimated that ADHD kids have had 20,000 times more negative messages from parents, teachers and other adults than their peers and their risk taking, impulsivity and 30% delayed executive function skills can make growing up in a neurotypical world feel alien, confusing, lonely and hostile at times.

If you were only diagnosed once you were a parent with an ADHD kid or 2 in tow, you've experienced feeling 'wrong', 'bad', 'broken' or outcast for a lot longer than them - and until now, you've had no idea why.

School's back in less than a fortnight and if you're already feeling like you need more respite, put 27-29 October in your diary for an ADHD Retreat like no other.

Learn personalised wellbeing strategies for you and your child. Meet others in the same boat. Eat food to come back to your senses and take part in a cooking workshop for practical quick recipes to stop riding the sugar rollercoaster. Leave with a goodie bag filled with things you can use and friendships you'll have for life.

Yes diagnosis, medication, education and therapy are part of coping and learning to thrive with ADHD but the most important component is a community who understands your unique challenges as an ADHD parent and taking time to put your needs first with people you don't need to mask in front of.

We have 9 spaces left on this 3 day get away. DM me if you'd like to come or visit our website for more information and to book your spot.

#adhdretreat #parentsupport #adhdawareness

Kirstin is a late diagnosed ADHDer, entrepreneur, Principal of Gaia Learning, ADHD Coach and single parent to 3 neurospicy tweens.