I was surprised to find that there were different parents at this session than was at the playgroup session. I immediately got along with all of the other parents though. I found out that we were all ADHD ourselves! I was happy to find this out. I immediately felt like they would understand and accept me better than any other friends I've tried to make in my city.
We talked about our kids and their issues. It was such a relief to hear other parents saying similar things as myself. For once, I wasn't surrounded by the seemingly "perfect supermoms" who have everything all together and look down on me for being "weird" and having a son who doesn't fit the mold. The hour and a half went so fast. I wanted to stay and talk all night.
Our homework was to have 3 special times with our sons, each being 15 minutes long. During these times we are to use a style of interacting called, "Attending". I would have to be a very active listener with Joey and not argue, instruct, correct, or do anything parent-like. I just needed to be a good listener and friend for 15 minutes and have good positive times with him. This sounded hard to do. But at the same time I was relieved that someone was giving me "permission" to have some good times with my son and stop being so mom-like for a while. I always thought that I HAD to correct everything and never let anything slide even once or I would have to start back at square one. I never liked being that way but I had been told by other parents and books that this was "the way" to be a good parent.
I also was instructed to observe Joey playing with a friend and check his behaviors on the handout.
Mar 11, 2008
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