Just Say Now
By Tatiana Guerreiro Ramos
So you're discovering there's something to the whole apple/tree theory of genetics? Filling out screening questionnaires and getting confused about whether it's for you or your spawn? Been there. Done that. Forgot I had done that. Did it again. Misplaced the questionnaire. Did it again.
Raising kids with ADHD can be an exercise in dramatic reenactments of scenes from "Groundhog Day." Even if you don't also have ADHD. Fret not. We're here to help you put some strategies and tools into place that will ease the repetitive stress syndrome you might be experiencing.
Before we lay out the plan, one quick note. Doctors are now simply calling it ADHD, with qualifiers if there are tendencies towards either the hyperactive or inattentive ends of the spectrum. And for those of us who present with both, they call it ADHD Combined Type.
Okay? Okay. Now get your stress ball and settle in. And remember this is an opportunity to try things out and learn through failure. Not all of these will work for everyone, and we fully expect you to tweak some suggestions to fit your family and needs.
Write everything down. All the things. Like, literally anything that's important for you to remember.
Keep pens and paper in areas of your house where you spend time so there's always something to write on.
Email yourself anything that needs to go in your calendar or that has to go on your to-do list.
Use your phone for good - set alarms, use the timer, type up a note, take a picture of your parking location so you don't have to wander around four levels pressing your key fob until you hear your car. (No, I hadn't had anything to drink. Yes, my spawn have killed my brain cells. Don't judge.)
Can't remember to bring toilet paper to the upstairs bathroom? Been caught paperless, like Seinfeld's Elaine, one too many times? (Spare a square, anyone?) Instead of recycling the toilet paper tube, put it at the bottom of the stairs, on one of the steps, as a visual reminder that you need some more squares in the upstairs loo.
Use visual reminders for other things - hang the reusable bags on a hook by the door, or put them on the front porch; keep Post-its in the car so you can remind yourself to pick up milk or dish soap.
Do things now. Not later. Not right after whatever. Now.
Take that pile of newspapers and magazines staring judgmentally at you and put everything in the recycling bin. The big bin outside. Now. You can find everything online or on a podcast, or at the library, which you really should be frequenting more anyways, right?
Assign days for chores.
Sweeping Sundays - do a sweep of the house and put things back where they belong.
Manic Mondays - put on some crazy tunes and set a timer for 15 minutes; everyone has to spend that time cleaning something.
Trashy Tuesdays - everyone empties the garbage cans in their rooms - into the big bin outside. And while they're at it, they can take out the compost and recycling, too.
You get the idea. Make up your own themes!
Do things now. Slay the procrastination dragon. Do it now.
Group tasks/chores.
Run errands in a thoughtful and planned-out way by plotting out points ahead of time.
Need toothpaste? Pick some up when you pick up prescriptions.
Dropping shoes off to be re-soled? Grab the pile of dry cleaning to drop off across the street.
Need a copy of that hot new read? Bring your SodaStream cylinders to recycle at the store next door to the bookshop.
Less crazy-making, less pollution, fewer curse words yelled at bad drivers - it's a win-win!
Oh, and before I forget - DO IT NOW. Now now. Like, now.