Can Vigilant Parenting Overcome ADHD?

I recently got a chance to reconnect with an old friend. We’ve been friends since high school so I know her and her family very well.

Several years ago, her child’s teacher had mentioned the possibility of ADHD. At the time, I agreed with the teacher’s assessment, but said nothing.

My friend was in complete disagreement with the teacher and spent many hours corresponding with and talking to the teacher about the subject.

Because it was almost the end of the school year, and because ultimately, these are decisions left to the parents, nothing was ever done.

The child in question is now several years older and more mature. I have to say I see less hyperactive behavior and from all accounts he is doing well in school.

You should note, however, that I do not see this child and his family often. Years can go by in between visits, so I am certainly not the best judge of his real temperament.

I know that my friend is a very vigilant mother, but aren’t we all? She’s a great mom, but so am I, and so, probably are you. (I don’t know you, after all.)

My friend does not have ADHD, although her husband does. Maybe that makes a difference. We ADD Moms have additional challenges that moms without ADD do not.

Is it because she can set and enforce boundaries more effectively than I can? Because her follow through is more exact?

Can hyper vigilant parenting overcome ADHD?

I don’t know, but I’m guessing not.

I’m thinking that either what I hear and what I see is not the entire picture, and that eventually things may catch up with my friend and her son.

Then again, maybe not.