{"id":335134,"date":"2025-12-08T16:43:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/my-familys-journey-with-adhd-sarah-ockwell-smith\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T16:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:43:52","slug":"my-familys-journey-with-adhd-sarah-ockwell-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=335134","title":{"rendered":"My Family\u2019s Journey with ADHD \u2013 Sarah Ockwell-Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Tell us why you wrote your new book, Raising Attention?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been gestating this book for almost a decade. It\u2019s taken me that long to be able to make sense of what my family went through and to be able to process it in such a way that I can write a book that is helpful for you.<\/p>\n

Believe me when I say I understand what it feels like to be exhausted, desperate for change, hopeless and full of shame and guilt. I was \u2018The Gentle Parenting Expert\u2019 why on earth could I not apply my own advice to raise my son? Why was it SO HARD?<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

I was once told by somebody in the leadership team at my son\u2019s secondary school that I was the problem because my discipline was too gentle. I was told by our family doctor that we couldn\u2019t be referred for an ADHD diagnosis until I had completed a parenting class (it wasn\u2019t enough that I had taught parenting classes to thousands of parents! I ended up self-certifying my attendance at my own course!). I was told by a psychologist that my son was \u201cjust immature\u201d. I was gaslit by SENCos. We had such a catalogue of failures and disasters that it\u2019s almost comical. Or it would have been, if it wasn\u2019t so soul destroying.<\/p>\n

\u2026.and in amongst all this was a child, struggling with fracture self-esteem. Being let down by everybody, including me.<\/p>\n

And that is why this book has taken me so long to write. To pick up the pieces and formulate them in such a way that they are devoid of anger and judgement. To pour my heart out onto the page as my attempt to give you the virtual hug, support and guidance that I so desperately needed.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if your child is diagnosed with ADHD, or if their behaviour is \u2018just\u2019 explosive. It\u2019s for every family who are struggling. Parents and children \u2013 and preferably professionals who are involved in their lives; teachers, social workers, health visitors, doctors and therapists.<\/p>\n

Never before have I bared my soul and my dirtiest secrets as much as I have in this book. I\u2019m excited it\u2019s out in the world \u2013 but quite frankly terrified too!<\/p>\n

Listen to me reading from the audiobook edition below:<\/p>\n

\n
\n