What do you think?
Rate this book
What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD: A 9-step plan to master the struggles and triumphs of parenting a child with ADHD
Award-Winner! 2015 International Book Awards, winner of Psychology & Mental Health category!
There are guidebooks to set a parent’s expectations for pregnancy and caring for a baby, but not one step-by-step guide for the challenge of raising a child with ADHD… until now.
The contrast between social expectations and genuine capability is stark but invisible with ADHD, creating challenges in all aspects of life. In What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD, Williams offers a 9-step plan to tame (much of) the chaos and turn (most of) the struggles into triumphs. She steers you through methodically learning about your child’s behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to improve life for your child with ADHD and your entire family.
Don’t be fooled though — this is not your typical book on ADHD. Williams keeps it real, providing authentic, down in the trenches, trial-by-fire advice from a momma who has lived it, figuring it out one day at a time. Whether your child’s diagnosis is new or you’ve been struggling for years, What to Expect is your instruction manual for effectively parenting your child with ADHD.
There are guidebooks to set a parent’s expectations for pregnancy and caring for a baby, but not one step-by-step guide for the challenge of raising a child with ADHD… until now.
The contrast between social expectations and genuine capability is stark but invisible with ADHD, creating challenges in all aspects of life. In What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD, Williams offers a 9-step plan to tame (much of) the chaos and turn (most of) the struggles into triumphs. She steers you through methodically learning about your child’s behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to improve life for your child with ADHD and your entire family.
Don’t be fooled though — this is not your typical book on ADHD. Williams keeps it real, providing authentic, down in the trenches, trial-by-fire advice from a momma who has lived it, figuring it out one day at a time. Whether your child’s diagnosis is new or you’ve been struggling for years, What to Expect is your instruction manual for effectively parenting your child with ADHD.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2015
51 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Penny Williams
24 books37 followers2015 International Book Awards Winner: Psychology & Mental Health
2014 USA Best Book Awards: Parenting & Family, Finalist Award
A self-proclaimed "veteran" parent of a son with ADHD, Penny Williams is the creator of the award-winning website, {a mom's view of ADHD}, and a frequent contributor on parenting a child with ADHD for ADDitude Magazine, Healthline, and other parenting and special needs publications.
"I endured a long learning curve when my son was diagnosed with ADHD," says Williams. "I share my experiences parenting my son, Ricochet, in the hopes of shortening that painful time of trial by fire for others." Williams says she gains strength in parenting Ricochet through a quote from Albert Einstein, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
Williams' first book, Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD, is an Amazon best-seller and a USA Best Book Awards winner. (#BoyWithoutInstructions). Her second book, What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD (#WhatToExpectADHD), won the Psychology & Mental Health category of the 2015 International Book Awards.
2014 USA Best Book Awards: Parenting & Family, Finalist Award
A self-proclaimed "veteran" parent of a son with ADHD, Penny Williams is the creator of the award-winning website, {a mom's view of ADHD}, and a frequent contributor on parenting a child with ADHD for ADDitude Magazine, Healthline, and other parenting and special needs publications.
"I endured a long learning curve when my son was diagnosed with ADHD," says Williams. "I share my experiences parenting my son, Ricochet, in the hopes of shortening that painful time of trial by fire for others." Williams says she gains strength in parenting Ricochet through a quote from Albert Einstein, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
Williams' first book, Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD, is an Amazon best-seller and a USA Best Book Awards winner. (#BoyWithoutInstructions). Her second book, What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD (#WhatToExpectADHD), won the Psychology & Mental Health category of the 2015 International Book Awards.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 2, 2015
This is THE book parents need when beginning their journey on this unforeseeable path of ADHD. I wish this book had been available when we first found ourselves on the ADHD path. Penny has brought together a great deal of research along with practical advice from a family who has lived this journey. There is a plethora of practical advice along with worksheets you can customize for your situation. Bringing all of these resources together in one place is invaluable for parents; not only a time saver but a sanity saver as well. The incredible amount of information is also broken down into 9 steps that busy parents can actually follow. Each chapter (or step) has just enough information to take in, work on, and follow through with (as suits your family) before advancing to the next chapter.
One of the things that makes this book so relatable is that Penny is one of us; she gets it. And I love that she writes things that I feel inside but never say. She doesn't sugarcoat the realities of parenting a child with ADHD; she presents the truth along with the hope.
The best thing about this wonderful book is that parents who are new to the ADHD world will get a tremendous amount out it and there is great information (and reminders) for those of us who have been on this path for a while. I learned a lot, have new strategies to try, suggestions for tweaking some things we do now, have more resources to search out, and finally feel like there is someone out there who gets it.
One of the things that makes this book so relatable is that Penny is one of us; she gets it. And I love that she writes things that I feel inside but never say. She doesn't sugarcoat the realities of parenting a child with ADHD; she presents the truth along with the hope.
The best thing about this wonderful book is that parents who are new to the ADHD world will get a tremendous amount out it and there is great information (and reminders) for those of us who have been on this path for a while. I learned a lot, have new strategies to try, suggestions for tweaking some things we do now, have more resources to search out, and finally feel like there is someone out there who gets it.
February 6, 2015
After my son’s diagnosis of ASD and then later ADHD, I was overwhelmed with all of the information and resources (a good problem to have). There were so many books that talked down and threw out statistics that were either depressing or unrelated to my situation. I was looking for something relatable. I had no friends going through the special needs ride and while I wanted information, I also wanted comfort.
I found that comfort and solace in Penny’s first book, “Boy Without Instructions”. As I turned the pages, I kept saying “Yes. This”. No advice or instruction, just feeling like I wasn’t alone, which I so desperately needed.
Once I got out of the first stage of grief and shock, I was ready for action and help. Lucky for me, that’s right about the time that Penny’s second book came out, “What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”. I was so frazzled by trying to just survive, that I couldn’t even begin to think about how to take proactive steps to improve my family’s quality of life. Full disclosure: I also have ADHD. So, yeah. If I have a hard time with executive function and organization, how am I supposed to help my son learn those skills and get this house running efficiently??
I say all that to say that Penny understands this. She knows what ADHD parents need: quick, to the point and non-judgmental. The worksheets are AMAZING. I am the worst with getting advice and not being able to execute it. The worksheets solve that problem. In my opinion, the worksheets alone are worth the cost of the book. The rest of the book is also very helpful. What sets it apart from other ADHD books out there is that it’s written by one of us! Not a doctor or specialist. Those books have their place and use, but this book fills a void that has been on bookshelves: Advice from a fellow mom. Reading it feels like sitting down over coffee with a good friend that’s been there and is guiding you through the process.
If you’re looking for commiseration and comfort, reach for “Boy Without Instructions”. If you’re looking for action and help from a fellow warrior mom, reach for “What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”. Personally, I bounce back and forth depending on the day. You can’t lose either way!
I found that comfort and solace in Penny’s first book, “Boy Without Instructions”. As I turned the pages, I kept saying “Yes. This”. No advice or instruction, just feeling like I wasn’t alone, which I so desperately needed.
Once I got out of the first stage of grief and shock, I was ready for action and help. Lucky for me, that’s right about the time that Penny’s second book came out, “What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”. I was so frazzled by trying to just survive, that I couldn’t even begin to think about how to take proactive steps to improve my family’s quality of life. Full disclosure: I also have ADHD. So, yeah. If I have a hard time with executive function and organization, how am I supposed to help my son learn those skills and get this house running efficiently??
I say all that to say that Penny understands this. She knows what ADHD parents need: quick, to the point and non-judgmental. The worksheets are AMAZING. I am the worst with getting advice and not being able to execute it. The worksheets solve that problem. In my opinion, the worksheets alone are worth the cost of the book. The rest of the book is also very helpful. What sets it apart from other ADHD books out there is that it’s written by one of us! Not a doctor or specialist. Those books have their place and use, but this book fills a void that has been on bookshelves: Advice from a fellow mom. Reading it feels like sitting down over coffee with a good friend that’s been there and is guiding you through the process.
If you’re looking for commiseration and comfort, reach for “Boy Without Instructions”. If you’re looking for action and help from a fellow warrior mom, reach for “What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”. Personally, I bounce back and forth depending on the day. You can’t lose either way!
April 26, 2018
This book provided me with several practical strategies to use in our household. Williams lists many useful resources and provides worksheets that helped me to organize my thinking and track our progress over time.
February 7, 2015
If you are new to the world of parenting a child with ADHD, (or if you're not so new, but things are not going well) then PLEASE read this book!
Upon my child's diagnosis, I read many books from the library as well as countless articles on the Internet. I talked to other parents whose children have ADHD. We've gone to therapists, added a medicine regiment, etc.
I felt like all of my research and other efforts should have prepared me for anything. Instead, it has taken 5 to 6 years of learning by trial and error (aka LEARNING THE HARD WAY) to finally get to the point where I truly understand all of the topics that Penny discusses in What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD.
If I had this book available to me 5 or 6 years ago, it would have made a world of difference in my son's life, and the lives of everyone in our household. Hopefully word will spread like wildfire about What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD, and more parents will feel that they have been given a roadmap to guide them through the day-to-day realities of raising a child with ADHD.
Honestly and truly, please read this book if you are a parent or caregiver of a child with ADHD. These chapters (9-step plan) will literally save you years of frustration and help you to get on the right track to quickly help your child as well as your whole household.
Until you are living with someone who has ADHD, then you may not realize how it affects so many aspects of life. Penny Williams is the only author I know of who talks about life with ADHD using this kind of honesty and candor. Busy parents will appreciate her no-nonsense style. She is one of us, so she REALLY gets it! :-)
Upon my child's diagnosis, I read many books from the library as well as countless articles on the Internet. I talked to other parents whose children have ADHD. We've gone to therapists, added a medicine regiment, etc.
I felt like all of my research and other efforts should have prepared me for anything. Instead, it has taken 5 to 6 years of learning by trial and error (aka LEARNING THE HARD WAY) to finally get to the point where I truly understand all of the topics that Penny discusses in What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD.
If I had this book available to me 5 or 6 years ago, it would have made a world of difference in my son's life, and the lives of everyone in our household. Hopefully word will spread like wildfire about What to Expect When You're Not Expecting ADHD, and more parents will feel that they have been given a roadmap to guide them through the day-to-day realities of raising a child with ADHD.
Honestly and truly, please read this book if you are a parent or caregiver of a child with ADHD. These chapters (9-step plan) will literally save you years of frustration and help you to get on the right track to quickly help your child as well as your whole household.
Until you are living with someone who has ADHD, then you may not realize how it affects so many aspects of life. Penny Williams is the only author I know of who talks about life with ADHD using this kind of honesty and candor. Busy parents will appreciate her no-nonsense style. She is one of us, so she REALLY gets it! :-)
January 1, 2024
"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." (Stacia Tauscher)
Loved. This. Book. I felt like I could have highlighted the whole thing. It was like I was reading about my own son (almost). I chuckled. I teared up. I shared with my husband and some friends. This book is full of helpful (real) tips to implement at home with your child. None of that laughable "7 Easy Steps to Stop Yelling in One Day!" stuff promising you'll immediately have peace in your home. No bogus ideas that *don't* work for your non neurotypical kid. If you have a child with ADHD, please read this book. It's a breath of fresh air if you're used to reading books about ADHD written by doctors whose experience may not extend into the home. Just...get this book and read it today. You'll be happy you did.
Loved. This. Book. I felt like I could have highlighted the whole thing. It was like I was reading about my own son (almost). I chuckled. I teared up. I shared with my husband and some friends. This book is full of helpful (real) tips to implement at home with your child. None of that laughable "7 Easy Steps to Stop Yelling in One Day!" stuff promising you'll immediately have peace in your home. No bogus ideas that *don't* work for your non neurotypical kid. If you have a child with ADHD, please read this book. It's a breath of fresh air if you're used to reading books about ADHD written by doctors whose experience may not extend into the home. Just...get this book and read it today. You'll be happy you did.
September 12, 2015
Terrible, please edit your book!
This book was filled with errors and even strike outs. This book appears not to be edited at all! I am not a grammar police officer by any means but it drove me crazy. I couldn't take this person's account seriously at all because of the way it was put together. Her first step is to "get over it." Then says which was striked out later saying "Now, you regret buying this book". Well your right, I do. Saying accept the diagnosis is appropriate not get over it. If you know your reader is going to regret reading the book, you shouldn't write it.
This book was filled with errors and even strike outs. This book appears not to be edited at all! I am not a grammar police officer by any means but it drove me crazy. I couldn't take this person's account seriously at all because of the way it was put together. Her first step is to "get over it." Then says which was striked out later saying "Now, you regret buying this book". Well your right, I do. Saying accept the diagnosis is appropriate not get over it. If you know your reader is going to regret reading the book, you shouldn't write it.
March 5, 2015
This book is like a good friend who is ahead of you in the journey but can help guide you as you go where she has been. It walks you from diagnosis (remember to breathe) to school issues (Ack! IEP meetings) to enjoying your child with ADHD. Worksheets help you to keep track of medication reactions, to plan and organize your environment to work with your child instead of against him, and to recognize your child's gifts.
My child is five years into his journey and I only wish I had had a guide like this when he was first diagnosed!
My child is five years into his journey and I only wish I had had a guide like this when he was first diagnosed!
February 4, 2015
Thank you Penny for finally writing a book from a parents perspective!! I wish I would have had this book when my son was diagnosed over 2 years ago. It's so refreshing to read someone's actual experience with parenting a child with ADHD and not just a bunch of medical jargon. I found myself in tears numerous times while reading it as I found so much in common with Penny and her story. It's nice to know sometimes as parents of children with ADHD that we aren't alone.
January 27, 2016
Fantastic book for anyone finding themselves on the ADHD road. It gives great insight and suggestions to help make the journey a little less bumpy. Very accessible and thoughtful.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews