HI, I’M LARA DAWN! 💗

I’m the founder of The ADHD Village, a teacher of 25 years, and an ADHD Warrior Mama myself.

And Mama, I know firsthand just how challenging the holidays can be when you’re raising children who experience the world a little differently.

I’ve been the mom sitting in the audience at the Christmas concert, watching my child twirl in circles, play with his bow tie and make silly faces at his classmates while everyone else is singing.

I’ve been the mom trying desperately to create magical holiday memories, only to have my children fighting, someone melting down, and me eventually losing my patience.

I’ve experienced the family gatherings where you’re hoping everyone will understand your child, but you’re also preparing yourself for the comments, the judgment and the unsolicited parenting advice.

And I’ve felt the pressure of trying to make the holidays special for everyone while quietly wondering…

“Why does something that’s supposed to be so magical feel so hard?”

Here’s what I’ve learned.

THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A LOT FOR OUR CHILDREN’S BRAINS.

Especially when they’re navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, sensory sensitivities or other mental health challenges.

Think about everything that changes.

School routines are disrupted.

There are concerts, parties, assemblies and special events.
Bedtimes get later.
Homes get louder.
Family gatherings bring unfamiliar people, foods, expectations and environments.

Children are expected to sit still, be patient, share, socialize, give hugs, say thank you and manage their emotions.

All while their brains are already working overtime to process the excitement, anticipation and sensory stimulation.

And sometimes, all that holiday magic becomes holiday overwhelm.

We see more meltdowns.

More arguments.
More anxiety.
More emotional intensity.
More shutdowns.
More struggles with transitions.

And sometimes children express their overwhelm through behaviours that other adults don’t understand.

Like the child who opens a present and announces:
“I DON’T LIKE THIS!”

While you’re trying to manage your child’s emotions, Grandma’s reaction and your own embarrassment all at once.

And for families navigating grief, seasonal depression, complicated relationships or co-parenting, this time of year can carry an entirely different emotional weight.

It’s a lot for our children.

And it’s a lot for us, too.

YOUR CHILD DOESN’T NEED A PICTURE-PERFECT HOLIDAY.

They need to feel safe.

Accepted.

Understood.

Connected.

And free to be who they are.

And Mama…

SO DO YOU.

Maybe this year we stop measuring the magic by how perfect everything looks.

And start measuring it by how it feels to be together.

Less pressure.

More presence.

Less perfection.

More connection.

Less trying to make our families look like everyone else’s.

More creating a holiday that actually supports the humans living inside it.