Does ADHD mean my parenting caused this?
No. ADHD is not caused by parenting.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition — a different way the brain is wired. It’s influenced by genetics and brain chemistry, not by how strict or soft you were, or whether you breastfed, or how much screen time your child had. Truly.
That doesn’t mean parenting doesn’t matter. It absolutely does. The way we parent shapes how a child with ADHD grows, feels safe, builds self-worth, and learns about themselves. But you did not cause this.
Still, the guilt can be heavy.
Especially if you yelled. Or didn’t know earlier. Or if school kept calling and you didn’t have answers. Maybe you see yourself in your child now and wish someone had noticed for you years ago. It’s a lot to sit with.
But blame isn’t the same as responsibility. You’re not being asked to blame yourself. You’re being invited into a new kind of parenting — one rooted in understanding, compassion, and building something different, starting now.
Let go of the myths. ADHD isn’t a result of “bad parenting.” And by being here, you’re already showing up in the best possible way.
