I feel guilty when I enjoy time with my easier child

What to do right now

Time with your easier child feels like relief. Then the guilt arrives. You are allowed to enjoy the child who does not require constant executive function from you. That enjoyment is not favouritism. It is your nervous system recovering. The guilt only becomes a problem if it stops you from investing in the harder relationship. Notice the relief, accept it, and then do one deliberate thing with your ADHD child this week. Small. Genuine.

What your brain just did

Your body

The easier child is a relief to be around. Then the guilt arrives for noticing.

Your brain

Your nervous system recovers in the presence of lower demand. Enjoying that recovery is not favouritism. It is physiology.

What this did

Accept the relief without guilt. The enjoyment only becomes a problem if it stops you from investing in the harder relationship. Do one deliberate thing with your ADHD child this week. Small. Genuine.