Getting kids out the door in the mornings can be a challenge for any parent, whether or not their children have ADHD. Some days, it feels like utter chaos—kids waking up disheveled, and shoes mysteriously ending up in the refrigerator, leaving parents scratching their heads.
Tarah, the creator of the TikTok account @thatadhdlife, has found ways to navigate this morning madness, ensuring her kids are ready and out the door on time. As a neurodivergent mother with three children who also have ADHD, Tarah’s personal experiences have shaped her approach to morning routines.
Reflecting on her childhood struggles, Tarah noted that her parents’ divorce meant she often lacked the support she needed. Until recently, her morning hacks were kept within the family. However, after a poignant moment during a live video, she felt compelled to share her strategies with a wider audience.
In that live stream, Tarah recounted seeing a young boy sprinting to school, clearly stressed and out of breath. Remembering her own childhood experiences of always being late, she shouted words of encouragement, only to hear the boy respond, “I’m always late.” This moment resonated deeply with her, prompting her to share her story and strategies with her followers, who echoed similar frustrations about chaotic mornings.
In her TikTok video, Tarah suggests that parents “reverse engineer” their mornings by observing their children’s routines to identify where things go awry—be it misplaced shoes or forgotten tasks like brushing teeth.
Her system begins the night before: they check the weather, select outfits, pack lunches, and organize backpacks—all before bedtime. Tarah credits this routine with easing morning stress for her children, a practice she started when her eldest son was in kindergarten.
Recognizing her son’s love for hands-on, interactive learning, she adapted their morning routine to make it engaging and memorable. This proactive approach, she explains, has transformed their mornings into a smoother experience.
Each of her children follows a version of the same routine tailored to their age. Parents in the comments were quick to praise Tarah’s methods, with some taking notes for their own families, even if they don’t have kids with ADHD.
In her video, Tarah emphasizes the importance of planning, persistence, and patience. She reassures other parents that while establishing these habits might take time—especially with older children—it’s never too late to start. Encouraging them to take deep breaths and stay involved, she reminds everyone that they’ve got this.
Listen to Tarah’s valuable tips and strategies on her TikTok for more insights on creating smoother mornings for neurodivergent kids.