“Mom, what’s wrong with me?”

If your ADHD child has ever asked you this heartbreaking question at bedtime, you know the weight of that moment. The way you respond will shape how your child thinks about themselves for years to come. That’s why this conversation matters so much.

In this episode, we're walking you through exactly how to talk to your child about ADHD in a way that builds confidence, reduces shame, and helps them understand their brain.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• ✅ How to answer “What’s wrong with me?” so your child knows they’re not broken, just wired differently.
• 🧠 What to say when your child asks “What is ADHD?” (age-appropriate answers for little kids vs. teens).
• 🚦 Kid-friendly metaphors (like the “race car brain” with brakes that need tuning) that make ADHD easy to understand.
• 🙋 How to handle “Why am I always in trouble?” and help your child separate behavior from identity.
• 💊 Talking about ADHD medication with kids — how to explain it as “glasses for the brain” instead of a punishment.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Making ADHD conversations open, not secretive — why including siblings and family reduces stigma.
• 📚 Book recommendations for starting the conversation.

Resources + Next Steps:

• 📖 Books mentioned:
  • My Brain is a Race Car by Nessie Learning
  • All Dogs Have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann
  • A Kid’s Book About ADHD by Ellie Booth
• 🎧 Go back to Episode 1: What ADHD Really Is for a deeper foundation.
• 📲 Follow us on Instagram @raisingADHD_org for more parent-tested strategies.

🎧 Listen now and get the words you need for one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have with your ADHD child.