The Moment I Realized Parenting Had Gotten Easier

Discover the relief of parenting (even with ADHD) as your kids get older—more support, understanding, and room to just be present.

I had one of those rare parenting moments recently—a moment that hit me like a wave of relief.

I was at a homeschool gathering, sitting with a cup of tea ☕ while my 5- and 7-year-olds played nearby. They knew where I was. I could see them. But I didn’t have to chase after every move.

For the first time in a long time, I could just sit.
And ahh—that was such a gift. Honestly, one of the greatest gifts I didn’t even know I needed.
The relief was immense.

Another mom asked me, “Do you miss when they were little?”

A quick, honest “Nope” came out of my mouth. And what surprised me wasn’t the answer—it was how true it felt.

Loving Being a Parent—and Loving This Season

I want to be very clear: I absolutely love being a parent. 💛

Not missing the earlier years doesn’t mean I didn’t love them or that I didn’t enjoy parts of that season. It means that this season feels different. Lighter. More aligned.

Right now, I feel like I get to be more of the parent I’ve always wanted to be. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t trying before—it means I finally have the capacity to show up in the ways that matter most: mentally, emotionally, and physically.

When Kids Are Young, Dependence Is Total

Little kids are completely dependent on us—for safety, regulation, attention, problem-solving, and emotional connection. That kind of reliance is beautiful but also exhausting.

Looking back, I realize I never fully gave myself permission to acknowledge how hard it was. I showed up. I pushed through. I did my best. But I rarely let myself say, this is really, really hard.

Recognizing that now doesn’t take away from the love I had—it simply honors the reality of that stage.

ADHD, Task Switching, and Feeling Pulled in Every Direction

I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until a few years ago. I didn’t start medication until later, and it took months to find the right rhythm. The difference has been profound.

ADHD makes constant task-switching especially demanding. Early parenting requires it all:

Watching kids’ bodies
Monitoring safety
Responding to emotional needs
Tracking conversations
Regulating your own nervous system

Trying to fully engage in a conversation while also keeping an eye on my kids felt impossible. I couldn’t do both well. And that constant tension often left me feeling inadequate in all roles at once—a quiet struggle many ADHD parents know all too well.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I remember talking to a mom whose kids were just a few years older than mine. She told me, “It gets easier.”

At the time, that felt like oxygen. And she was right. Slowly, as my kids became more independent, things shifted. That developmental growth—their increasing ability to manage themselves—combined with my own support and knowledge, allowed relief to arrive.

Support and Understanding Make Relief Possible

It wasn’t just my kids getting older. It was me finally getting the support I needed:

Understanding ADHD
Learning tools that worked for my brain
Finding language to describe my struggles
Medication that helped regulate my nervous system

All of that allowed me to breathe. Not because parenting became less meaningful—but because it stopped feeling like I was constantly at my limit.

Relief Isn’t Regret

Sometimes relief brings questions: Would this have felt different if I’d known sooner?

That wondering isn’t regret. It’s grief for support you didn’t yet have. And relief doesn’t mean you didn’t cherish your kids—it means your system finally has the space to function.

If You’re Feeling This Too

If you love your children deeply and feel more grounded as they grow, you’re not alone.

You’re not ungrateful.
You’re not failing.
You didn’t do anything wrong.

Parenting sometimes gets easier because kids grow.
Sometimes it gets easier because we finally get the support and understanding we needed all along.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what allows us to become the parent we’ve always wanted to be. 💛

Curious about ADHD for yourself or a loved one?

If you’re curious about ADHD — or if you want something concrete to share with others — I’ve created a free ADHD Screening Toolkit. It includes two evidence-based screening tools that break ADHD down into symptoms and everyday struggles.

Many people who see these tools have that “oh wow, that’s actually ADHD” moment. It’s a simple way to paint a clearer picture of what ADHD really looks like.

👉 Access the FREE ADHD Screening Toolkit here!

Want More Support Like This?
If you found this helpful, I send out occasional emails with more posts like this, upcoming workshops, and new resources for ADHDers, self-healers, and helpers.

👉 Join the email list here to stay in the loop.

Home