What a Children’s Book Taught Me About ADHD (Yes, Really.) 
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And speaking of celebrating wins… there’s a delightful little book that reminds us why cheering ourselves on matters so much — and it happens to make a wonderful, feel-good holiday gift too.
What a Children’s Book Taught Me About ADHD (Yes, Really.) 
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Every once in a while, you stumble upon a children’s book that feels like it was secretly written for adults — specifically adults who are juggling calendars, careers, carpool duty, and a brain that regularly forgets where it put its keys… while holding them. 
Sandra Boynton’s Woo-Hoo, You’re Doing Great! is one of those magical books.
It’s adorable. It’s silly. The illustrations are enchanting. But the real magic?
It delivers life lessons adults with ADHD desperately need — in fewer words than the average grocery list. 
And yes… I originally bought the book “for the kids,” then proceeded to read it alone with a cup of tea and suspiciously watery eyes. Don’t judge — the book is really that sweet. 
Here’s what this delightful children’s story reminded me about ADHD, growth, compassion, and celebrating our wonderfully imperfect selves.
1. The Power of Encouragement
Boynton’s characters hype each other up like it’s their full-time job — and honestly, what a world that would be.
ADHD brains thrive on encouragement. It’s dopamine fuel.
A simple “You’ve got this” can be the difference between:
doing the task
or staring at a sponge for 20 minutes while thinking about the task
Imagine a tiny Boynton creature living on your shoulder yelling,
“WOO-HOO! KEEP GOING!”
every time you open your inbox.
Honestly? I’d subscribe to that app.
2. Mistakes Are Human (And Sometimes Hilarious)
In the book, characters wobble, trip, spill, and get tangled up — and it’s all part of the charm.
Adults with ADHD?
We turn tiny mistakes into Olympic-level catastrophizing.
Lost your keys?
“I can’t function as a human.”
Forgot the attachment?
“I have failed everyone I love.”
But mistakes aren’t character indictments — they’re information.
And sometimes they’re downright funny… like the time I “lost” my phone only to find it chilling in the fridge next to the hummus. 
We’re human. Things get messy.
It’s okay.
3. Self-Compassion: The Superpower We Forget to Use
Boynton’s world is soft and kind — something adults could use more of.
Self-compassion isn’t letting yourself off the hook.
It’s guiding yourself back to the hook… gently.
ADHD adults often run on a soundtrack of:
- “Why can’t I get it together?”
- “Why is this simple for everyone else?”
- “Ugh. Not again.”
But neuroscience is clear:
Kindness motivates. Criticism shuts us down.
Your brain listens to how you speak to yourself.
Make it a voice worth hearing.
4. Growth Mindset: You’re Still Becoming
Boynton’s characters wobble, learn, and try again — joyfully.
Adults with ADHD often feel “behind,” especially when comparing themselves to people who color-code their spice drawers. (Why? HOW?)
But the ADHD journey is beautifully nonlinear:
- You make progress
- You get stuck
- You rebound
- You grow
- And sometimes you reorganize your entire closet at 11:42 p.m. because the spirit moved you
That’s still growth.
You’re not behind.
You’re becoming.
5. Celebrate Your Wins (Even the Tiny, Wobbly Ones)
Boynton celebrates everything.
A wiggle? A wobble? A try?
All worthy of applause.
And honestly, ADHD adults need to adopt that energy.
Celebrate:
- sending one email
- clearing one corner of a desk
- remembering where you put your coffee
- pausing before spiraling
- choosing kindness toward yourself
Celebration builds dopamine → which builds momentum → which builds habits.
Small wins are REAL wins.
6. Emotion + Excitement = Consistency for ADHD
Boynton’s world is all joy, play, movement, and color — the exact conditions under which ADHD brains thrive.
Consistency doesn’t come from willpower.
(If it did, we’d all be incredibly consistent by now.)
It comes from:
- novelty
- joy
- fun
- meaning
- connection
- accountability
- colorful to-do lists
- rewards that spark delight
If it feels good, your ADHD brain comes back for more.
Boynton gets that.
ADHD coaching gets that.
And your brain gets that too.
A Children’s Book with a Message Adults Need to Hear
Yoo-Hoo, You’re Doing Great! may sit on the kids’ shelf, but it contains truths adults with ADHD rarely hear:
You’re trying.
You’re growing.
You’re allowed to be imperfect.
And you deserve celebration — right now, exactly as you are.
So let me channel my inner Boynton for a moment:
YOO-HOO!
You’re doing great.
Really.
Keep going — one wobbly, wonderful step at a time.
