Book review of The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style

by Jordan Cashman (Author)

The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents—ADHD Style offers a humorous and practical approach to navigating the holiday season with children who have ADHD. Written by a social worker and comedian, Jordan Cashman, this guide shares personal anecdotes and expert-backed strategies for managing sensory overload, family dynamics, and the inevitable holiday chaos. From dodging awkward questions to creating impromptu games, the book provides tips for parents of all family structures, including blended and single-parent families. Expect self-care advice, imperfect holiday hacks, and plenty of laughter as you learn to transform potential disasters into cherished family memories. Prepare for a judgment-free zone and a truly festive, yet manageable, holiday experience.

The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!
4.7 / 14 ratings

Review The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style

This book, "The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style," was an absolute breath of fresh air! I went into it expecting helpful advice, but honestly, I didn't anticipate just how much I'd laugh. Jordan Cashman's writing style is incredibly engaging – it's like having a witty, supportive friend chat you through the holiday madness, rather than a stern lecture from a parenting expert. The humor is woven throughout, making even the more challenging aspects of managing ADHD kids during the holidays feel manageable. It’s not that the book shies away from the serious reality; it embraces it, head-on, but with a playful wink and a knowing nudge.

I especially appreciated the author's honest and relatable anecdotes. The stories from her own family life felt authentic and provided a much-needed dose of "you're not alone" reassurance. It's easy to feel isolated when navigating the specific challenges of raising children with ADHD, especially during high-pressure times like the holidays. This book successfully bridges that gap, creating a sense of community and shared experience.

The practical advice offered is incredibly valuable. The suggestions weren't just generic "keep calm and carry on" platitudes; they were concrete, actionable steps that felt tailored to the unique challenges of ADHD. I particularly loved the detailed strategies for managing sensory overload, navigating tricky family dynamics, and – most importantly – prioritizing self-care for parents. The chapters dedicated to self-care weren't just an afterthought; they were woven seamlessly into the overall structure, emphasizing that parental well-being is crucial for everyone's holiday enjoyment.

While some strategies might not work for every family (and the author readily admits that!), the sheer variety of suggestions ensures that you'll likely find multiple ideas that resonate. The book's focus on flexibility and adaptability is refreshing. It’s less about following a rigid plan and more about equipping parents with tools to navigate whatever curveballs the holidays might throw their way. The emphasis on adapting plans, rolling with the punches, and finding humor in the chaos truly resonated with me. This isn't a book that promises a perfectly peaceful holiday; instead, it promises a more manageable and even enjoyable one, filled with laughter and connection.

The inclusion of tips specifically for blended families and single parents shows a thoughtful understanding of the diverse family structures that exist. It acknowledges that holiday chaos can have its own unique flavor depending on the family dynamic, making the guide relevant and helpful to a broad audience. I also appreciated the quick-start ADHD overview – a fantastic resource for educating extended family members about ADHD in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.

Overall, "The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style" is a must-read for any parent facing the holidays with an ADHD child. It's funny, insightful, practical, and supportive. It’s the kind of book that you'll want to keep on hand year after year, not just for the holiday season, but for the everyday rollercoaster of parenting. While the cover design might need some improvement as one reviewer mentioned, the content inside more than makes up for it. Highly recommended!

See more: Honest review of Parenting Kids with ADHD

Information

  • Dimensions: 6 x 0.28 x 9 inches
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 123
  • Publication date: 2024

Book table of contents

  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: Validation for the Holidays
  • Chapter 2: Brief Overview of ADHD
  • Chapter 3: Open Chats and Holiday Hacks
  • Chapter 4: Surviving Holiday Mayhem in Style
  • Chapter 5: Practical Self-Care 101
  • Chapter 6: Operation Holiday Shopping
  • Chapter 7: The Holiday Unwrap-athon
  • Chapter 8: Mealtime Mayhem with a side of Surprise Jello Salad
  • Chapter 9: Parent Self-Care 102
  • Chapter 10: Judgment-Free Holiday Craft Guide
  • Chapter 11: The App-ocalypse by Turning Tech into Your Holiday Side Kick
  • Chapter 12: Surviving the Holidays with your Parenting Posse
  • Chapter 13: The One-Parent Warrior's Hidden Superpowers!
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Preview Book

The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide for Parents--ADHD Style: Your judgment-free guide to turn chaos into calm, survive holiday casseroles and critics, and recharge your battery like a pro!