Summer Living with ADHD

From an InsideADHD.org subscriber

One would think that the summer would be heaven for a child coping with ADHD, but for me, the summer presented numerous challenges. Yes, the school year was difficult – always having to sit still or constantly watching the clock during class – but the summer was all about options that equated to too many distractions. The summer was full of endless possibilities: playing with neighborhood friends in the back yard, riding bikes to the pool, or coloring in the basement. The summer presented one activity after another, which often left me discombobulated or jumping from one thing to another.

Fortunately, my parents encouraged me to be outside to make use of the energy I accumulated all year long. We were lucky enough to belong to a community club, which offered various different types of organized activities including tennis, a swim team, a diving team, and synchronized swimming. Every summer, I was part of the swim and tennis team, which provided me with structure in a time of chaos. Each day, I would take swim and tennis lessons and attend practice for the teams. My parents also made sure to create a strict schedule for me, outside of the club environment. In the afternoon, I would have 1 hour of reading and crafts before heading off to a tennis match or swim meet. Having a planned schedule filled with vigorous athletic activities and a coach to direct me prevented me from losing my focus and determination.

As the years went by, these activities became my talents, and I soon developed into a fierce competitor. The activities also became my passions and my true interests that helped me set goals and understand the value of achievement and hard work. Ultimately, the temptation to become distracted was overcome by my drive to excel.