Click, “Chirp!”

Click, “Chirp!” … Click “Chirp!” … Click “Chirp” … our chicks seem to echo each key I hit with a “Chirp!” As they exercise their voices and my kids exercise their mothering skills (I have lots of stories!), I exercise my writing skills between periodic giggles of our quarantine adventure, or Quar-Adventure, at home.

I enjoy the family time during our Quar-Adventure, but it does come with its struggles, especially for this ADHDer. In my head I sometimes feel like there is a hurricane of “to-do list” thoughts swirling around. So, I’ve recently turned back to, and found comfort in, my morning ritual of a list. As I posted on my Facebook page (link on the top right of this page), each morning I write my goals for the day on the left of a piece of paper, and long-term, carry over goals on the right. When I feel lost during the day, I turn to my list and it helps focus me. (Click here for a great article for more advice: Anxious? Overwhealmed? Worried? A Stay-Safe, Stay-Sane Guide for the ADHD Brain.)

Need an escape? We all do! Now’s a great time to start a journal, especially for kids. Write out stress, excitement, or simple stories to remember about this unique time in our lives. If your child struggles with the typing or physical writing process, practice does help, but have him take a break from the stress of it and dictate to someone who can type or write faster. Everyone masters writing at their own pace. My younger daughter did some things faster than her older sister, and vice versa.

I fondly remember one winter day many years ago. My eldest daughter was swinging in the family room (yes, we have an indoor swing!), complaining about a writing assignment. My youngest daughter grabbed a pen and paper, and said, “I’ll write it for you! Tell me the story.” That story ended up being one of the best writing assignments my eldest daughter had “written” all year. It had taken the stress of the actual writing process away, allowing her thoughts to flow freely. If you’re embarrassed, try dictating into a phone or computer. There are programs that help translate oral word to text.

Click, “Chirp!” … Click “Chirp!” … and if you choose to type into an electronic journal like me, you’ll have to get used to some odd “Chirp!” words transcribed “Chirp!” within!