Chimpanzees, ADHD Parenting, and the Power of Fun

"One thing I had learned from watching chimpanzees with their infants is that having a child should be fun" – Jane Goodall

When I first came across this quote, I couldn’t help but smile. I only wish I had read it when my children with ADHD were young—it might have made me pause and reflect on something I had been missing.

Looking back, I now realize that fun was the missing ingredient in my parenting. I saw raising my kids as a responsibility—something I had to do because I was their mother. It often felt overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting, with little room for joy.

Thankfully, I eventually found someone who helped me see the importance of fun in parenting. Yes, raising three daughters with ADHD was still challenging at times, but when I started to embrace the fun, those difficult moments became much easier to navigate.

The real shift happened when I let go of the idea of "perfect" parenting. Once I stopped trying to fit into a mold of what parenting should look like, I began to see how much joy it could bring. My children weren’t going to change—they would always have ADHD. But my perspective could. When I stopped resisting and started appreciating their energy, creativity, and spontaneity, I let go of unnecessary expectations and instead embraced the adventure.

Parenting is hard—especially when raising children with ADHD. But challenges shouldn’t overshadow the joy. When things feel overwhelming, think of Jane Goodall and her chimpanzees, finding laughter and delight in their connections. It might just bring a smile to your face—and remind you to go have some fun with your own wild and wonderful little ones.