Hi Coco,

Another school year is coming to a close—and whether it was one to remember or one to forget, one thing is for sure:

👉 Our kids have worked hard.

They’ve poured time, energy, focus, and perseverance into showing up—day after day, class after class, assignment after assignment. This is a moment worth honoring.

But even when we try to do just that… sometimes, things don’t go as planned.

Today, I want to share a story from one of the moms I've had the honor of working with. She had a beautiful intention: to celebrate the end of the school year with her daughters.

Instead, the celebration unraveled.

But what she discovered in that unraveling? It’s something so many of us need to hear.

With her permission, here’s a brief excerpt from her reflection:

“It was supposed to be a celebration, a marking of the end of the school year and the beginning of summer… But instead, I turned the car around halfway there and brought them home.

As I drove off, I thought for a moment that I really wanted to drive off into the sunset, far, far away. Not forever, maybe for a week or two until I felt like myself again…

Much of the time, at least in my family, ADHD is a thief. It steals peace and joy and milestones and normalcy... I realized that I need my own celebration. I need to go get ice cream alone, to celebrate all these accomplishments myself.”

⭐️ Quiet Bravery, Hidden Strength, and the Power of Showing Up!

This story isn’t just about a failed outing—it’s a masterclass in parenting differently-wired kids with grace, grit, and self-awareness.

Here are the insights that rose to the surface for me, and I suspect they’ll speak to you, too:

1. Grieve the Dream, Celebrate the Reality
There’s grief in letting go of the family you imagined. And there’s beauty in learning to love the family you have. Naming that loss makes space for acceptance—and real connection.

2. When Wins Don’t Feel Like Wins to Our Kids
Just because your kids don’t join the celebration doesn’t mean the wins don’t count. You get to name the growth, the effort, the milestones—even if the moment feels tense or ungrateful.

3. The Power of the Pause
The instinct to shut down is real. But choosing a small repair—like returning with ice cream bars and a smile—is a powerful act of connection. She didn’t force the moment to be okay… she just stayed present.

4. ADHD May Steal Moments, But Not the Whole Story
Yes, ADHD can rob families of ease and predictability. But it can’t take away the love, the resilience, or the fierce commitment we bring to our kids, again and again.

5. Celebrate Yourself
This mother realized that even if no one else was clapping, she could. And that matters. Sometimes the biggest parenting win is showing up again after the meltdown. Don’t wait for permission to honor that.

A Gentle Invitation

If this story hit home for you—
If you’ve ever tried to make a memory and ended up in a meltdown
I hope you’ll take this as permission to be proud anyway.

Celebrate the small things.
Grieve what didn’t go as planned.
And maybe—no, definitely—treat yourself to something sweet.

Because you’re doing more than enough. And you deserve to be celebrated, too. 🍦

💬 Ready for Your Own Shift?

What moved me most about this story isn’t just how honest it is—it’s how much grace this mom gave herself in the aftermath.

That’s not luck. That’s growth!

She didn’t push through with perfection—she moved through with intention. And that kind of shift? It’s possible for you, too.

Let’s explore what support could look like for you and your family.

📩 Schedule a free Discovery Call here

With so much love and respect,

Coco

 P.S. I encourage you to read Mary's full reflection. 👉 Click here to read the full story.