Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Harper Collins via Edelweissplus, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own.
The engaging, uplifting antidote to traditional ADHD books (which, let's be honest, if you have ADHD you'd never read anyway).
Synopsis:
You live in a world that wasn't designed for you. A world where you're expected to sit still, stay quiet, and focus. Because of the way your brain is wired, you can feel like you’re failing at life. But you are not failing. You are awesome.
Award-winning content creators Kim and Penn Holderness are on a mission to reboot how we think about the unfortunately named "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder." As always, they are doing it by looking in the mirror, because they don't just study ADHD; they live it.
Penn was in college when he was diagnosed with ADHD, although the signs of having a brain that worked just a little bit differently had been there since he was a kid. Rather than view the diagnosis as a curse or give in to feelings of inadequacy or failure, he took a different approach, one that he wants to share with fellow ADHDers and the people who care about them.
Drawing on their often-hilarious insights and the expertise of doctors, researchers, and specialists; Kim and Penn provide fun, easy-to-digest advice and explanations, including:
- What it's actually like to live with an ADHD brain.
- How to find humor in the pitfalls, sob stories, and unbelievable triumphs (like the time they won The Amazing Race!) that come with ADHD.
- How to tackle the challenges ADHD presents with a positive outlook.
- Targeted tools and techniques to play to your unique strengths.
- Fun extras like ADHD Bingo, an ode to cargo pants, and what the world would look like if ADHDers were in charge.
Take it from Penn: Having ADHD can be scary, but it comes with incredible upsides, including creativity, hyperfocus, and energy. You might even say it's kind of awesome. Whether you have ADHD or want to support someone else in their journey, this is the guide you need to make the life you want.
Review:
I have to admit I spent the first part of the book reading and laughing out loud way too much while reading this ebook, while the car was being repaired, and handing the Kindle to da kid, and saying 'this is soooo you!" She laughed every time and agreed, and I think it did her brain some atta-girl leaps to know someone else had experienced the same thing! While everyone's ADHD is different (as Penn and Kim acknowledge), it's always helpful to KNOW your brain isn't the only one with nerd tendencies when it 'squirrels' (ask me why I know so much about nuclear reactors...LOL). So Part I was really good for both of us to read, where Penn and Kim are sharing their experiences with Penn's ADHD.
Part 2 is talking about the medical challenges and what therapies there are, etc, while Part 3 talks about taking what you see as challenged and making them into strengths. This is where the roads diverged for us. Getting better explanations for what happens when da kid gets overwhelmed (too many things in the fish bowl) definitely was a bigger help for my understanding, as was understanding where an introverts anxiety (Kim's) was also playing into the kid's issues, via actual experiences, was even more of a help.
BUT, da kid has other issues (dyslexia and OCD) that create bigger roadblocks, than what some of the suggestions in the book can help with. And being homeschooled, means the whole school section was not as applicable to her life, as we've removed obstacles they talk about in the book already. But having said that, I still think this book is important for what it CAN offer parents (it's not just your kid- they WILL be ok when they're older, but YOUR expectations have to change-become coach not parent as your parents were), teens and young adults (here is someone who is more relatable to us that we can see how they handled different aspects of ADHD) and for adults who may have now been diagnosed (adaptive use of technology is the key). There is a lot that is left out, but that is because it is not THEIR experience. ADHD is a spectrum of issues, strengths and challenges, and not everything works for each person with ADHD. It very is an individualistic/family approach, which IS what the Holderness' are speaking to in the book. If there is one thing we've learned about ADHD is that you have to laugh as much as you can, and that is what is abundant in this book. So if you have a family member with ADHD, or you have it, you need this book! It's also a great book for giving to those you know that have it as well.
About the Authors:
Penn Holderness was born in Durham, North Carolina, to a Presbyterian minister and a public school teacher. He was super into Boy Scouts, show choir, and synthesizers as a kid, so he wasn't exactly a ladies' man. He went to the University of Virginia, then started a two-decade career in TV journalism. Penn and Kim met in Orlando while working in local news and were married in 2005. In 2013 they left the TV business and launched a digital content company called Greenroom Communications. Part of that launch was a video called "Xmas Jammies" that went viral and led to appearances on GMA, the Today Show, Fox News Channel, and CNN. (Apparently Xmas Jammies are bipartisan.) The Holderness Family currently lives in Raleigh with their dog, Sunny.
Kim Holderness was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, and was a competitive dancer (once crowned Miss Dance Florida). She went to the University of Florida, then began her career in TV journalism. Penn and Kim met in Orlando while working in local news and were married in 2005. In 2013 they left the TV business and launched a digital content company called Greenroom Communications. Part of that launch was a video called "Xmas Jammies" that went viral, and led to appearances on GMA, the Today Show, Fox News Channel, and CNN. (Apparently Xmas Jammies are bipartisan.) The Holderness Family currently lives in Raleigh with their dog, Sunny.
It's so stressful. Then anxious keeps you from starting..
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