Parenting is one of the most rewarding journeys—but also one of the most emotionally demanding. For parents raising children with ADHD or disabilities, the challenges can feel magnified. Tantrums, emotional breakdowns, and unexpected behaviors become part of daily life. Yet what often isn’t spoken about is the other layer of parenting: navigating our own emotional triggers, healing old wounds, and learning to nurture our inner child while raising our children.
This is more than parenting—it’s a journey of shadow work, where we are called to confront the parts of ourselves that we may have ignored, avoided, or buried.
A Personal Moment: My Son’s Emotional Breakdown
Recently, my son had an emotional breakdown—not because of something major, but because he was bored. For him, boredom can feel overwhelming, almost unbearable. His body becomes restless, his emotions spiral, and suddenly I’m faced with a storm of big feelings that demand my full presence.
In those moments, I notice something inside me: my own emotional triggers. His frustration stirs up my memories of not being understood as a child, of being told to “just deal with it.” That inner voice creeps in, reminding me of wounds I still carry.
But here’s the shift: instead of reacting from that place, I pause. I remind myself that this is not just his breakdown—it’s also an opportunity for me to parent both him and my inner child.
The Multifaceted Emotional Landscape of Parenting
Parenting children with ADHD or disabilities often feels like navigating multiple emotional landscapes at once:
- Supporting your child through meltdowns, outbursts, or struggles.
- Confronting your own emotional triggers that surface in high-stress moments.
- Healing your inner child—the younger version of yourself who also needed patience, understanding, and safety.
- Doing the deep work of shadow work, acknowledging the parts of yourself that long for attention, acceptance, and healing.
This work is not easy—but it is powerful. Every time we pause, reflect, and respond with compassion, we not only guide our children but also re-parent ourselves.
Final Reflection
Parenting children with ADHD or disabilities is not a linear path—it’s layered, complex, and emotional. It brings up old wounds, tests patience, and demands self-reflection. But within those moments of overwhelm lies an invitation: to heal, to grow, and to model resilience for our children.
At JJLS, we walk this journey with families. Because you don’t have to carry the weight of parenting, shadow work, and advocacy alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way.
👉 Question for Parents: How do you navigate the emotional triggers that surface when parenting your child?
Sacred & Seen 
Leave a comment