Sandwiched Club

Parenting is never easy, but when we found ourselves facing a future with ADHD, it brought emotions and realizations we weren’t prepared for.

The Weight of Guilt
When we first suspected that Master Focaccia might have ADHD, I was flooded with guilt. Research confirmed what I feared—ADHD often runs in families. It felt like I had passed on a challenge to him, a burden he never asked for. Lady Bacon and I would sit together, wondering if there were signs in our own lives that we had missed. Could we have ADHD? Did we unknowingly pass this on to our son?

Resistance From Those Closest to Us
Talking to our family about Master Focaccia didn’t go as we hoped. “He’s still young,” they reassured us. “He’ll grow out of it.” While we knew they meant well, their words felt dismissive. His struggles were real and too consistent to ignore. What made it harder was when fingers pointed back at us: “Maybe you’re too harsh on him,” or “Maybe you passed it down.” It only deepened our worry and self-doubt.

The Weight of Worry
With the guilt came a new worry: stigma. We feared how others might view Master Focaccia—family, friends, the education system. We didn’t want him labeled or limited by something beyond his control. Would he struggle in school? Would kids label him? Each question spiraled into more stress and self-blame. Why didn’t we catch this sooner? Did something from his past, like being bullied in preschool, trigger this? We were exhausting ourselves trying to make sense of it all.

Finding Understanding and Support
Thankfully, a friend with her own ADHD journey provided a lifeline. Talking to her was like a breath of fresh air. She shared her story, the highs and lows, and reassured me that it’s not too late. What mattered was getting Master Focaccia the support he needed now. His teacher, who first raised concerns, also offered hope. She spoke about her own daughter with ADHD, who excelled with the right support system. These stories became our turning point—they helped us see that with understanding, structure, and care, Master Focaccia’s future could still be bright.

Moving Forward
Accepting that Master Focaccia has ADHD wasn’t easy. It has been emotional and overwhelming at times, but acknowledging it is the first step toward helping him thrive. While we still face challenges, we no longer feel alone in this journey. ADHD is just one part of Master Focaccia’s story, not the whole of who he is. With the right support, he will write the rest of his story, one filled with endless possibilities.