They ruined their sibling's special moment again

What to do right now

The birthday party, the concert, the sports day. It was supposed to be about the other child and the ADHD child could not hold it together. Everyone is upset. The sibling whose moment was ruined needs to hear: 'That was your moment and it got interrupted. I am sorry. That was not fair.' Do not explain the ADHD. Just acknowledge the loss. They can understand the explanation another day. Today they need their disappointment validated.

What your brain just did

Your body

The special moment was interrupted. The sibling whose day it was is devastated. You are managing guilt across two children.

Your brain

The ADHD child could not sustain regulation through the heightened emotional context of someone else's celebration. The sibling experienced loss of their moment.

What this did

Validate the sibling's loss specifically: 'That was your moment and it got interrupted. I am sorry.' Do not explain the ADHD today. Today they need their disappointment acknowledged.