My Child Is On YouTube, And I Have No Regrets

My daughter recently received a letter from an elementary school teacher and it could not have come at a better time. This wonderful teacher took the time to send my daughter a letter to thank her for posting her ADHD awareness videos on YouTube.

In his letter to my daughter, the teacher wrote:

“I saw the My Little Villagers YouTube videos you were in while I was learning ways to teach all different kinds of students. That’s right — even teachers have to learn sometimes. Especially teachers need to learn sometimes. Your videos helped me very much. You did a great job explaining some of the feelings you experience, such as loneliness, anger, and sadness, I also heard you say that it helps to hear positive encouragement from teachers when you give your best effort. I especially liked hearing some of the things you like about yourself, such as that you are a loyal friend. My favorite part was all of it, but maybe mostly when you said ‘I think with my feelings and see with my heart.'” — Mr. D

The teacher ended his beautiful letter with this special message to my daughter:

“I am so excited that I saw your videos and learned what it’s like to be you, Giuliana! You taught this teacher something important! Thank you!” — Mr. D

The reason this letter could not have come at a better time is that, apparently, some of the moms at my daughter’s school have been gossiping about Giuliana’s ADHD awareness videos. They are saying that I am forcing her to do these videos and that Giuliana will regret doing these videos someday.

Regret what, exactly?

Regret helping over 7 million people and counting understand what having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is like?

Regret educating others, including teachers like Mr. D., about how to help children with ADHD?

Regret creating a worldwide pen pal program for children with ADHD to help them make friends and feel special?

Regret being herself?

These moms at the school do not know me. They do not know my daughter. Their kids are not even friends with my daughter. Why in the world do these women feel they have the right to judge and gossip about my family like a group of snobby middle school girls? Grow the hell up, ladies!

Giuliana knows the remarkable impact she is making on the world with the ADHD Awareness videos she creates. She knows she is helping other families with ADHD all over the world and she is very proud of herself, as she should be. It takes a lot of guts to be completely candid about what having ADHD is really like, and I applaud her for her bravery.

For the record, I have never once forced her into doing any of her videos. I have repeatedly told her that, if for whatever reason she wanted to stop making videos or wanted me to take her videos down, I would. Her feelings come first, always.

To the moms who said my daughter will regret making the ADHD awareness videos when she is older, why? Do you think she should be ashamed of having ADHD? Do you think she should not do her part to help educate others about ADHD? Instead of applauding my daughter for her honesty and bravery about speaking openly about having ADHD, you try to bring us down? Sorry, but no. That won’t work.

See, the thing about families with ADHD is that they are helpers and because of people like you, they learn to be fighters. When someone tries to blow out someone with ADHD’s candle, they’ll come back with a torch… and a whole village of ADHDers and ADHD supporters by their side. (My blog isn’t called My Little Villagers for no reason!)

I think a big part of the problem is that these moms don’t know what it is like to have ADHD or love someone with ADHD, and judging by the way they are so obnoxiously and immaturely behaving after having seen the ADHD Awareness videos, they just flat out don’t care. I feel sad for these moms and I feel sad for their children, because chances are, they are going to grow up to be just like them: Judgmental gossipers who don’t give anyone who’s “different” the time of day. They will never learn. They will never grow. They will never soar. However, the children who are taught to learn about the differences in others and accept them will do all three.

There are some amazing adult YouTubers with ADHD who are doing a wonderful job of educating others about ADHD and helping families with ADHD. One person in particular comes to mind: Jessica McCabe from How To ADHD, who has over 154,000 subscribers. She is very candid about her ADHD and her followers love her for that. Her videos are very informative, helpful, and fun. Oh, and she is one of my daughter’s role models. I wonder what Jessica would have to say to these moms about Giuliana regretting making ADHD Awareness videos someday.

As for me, I will continue to provide my daughter with this amazing platform to share her voice with the world and support my daughter with whatever she decides to do. I will continue to be proud of her and her ADHD, always. Thank you very much to everyone who had watched and shared my daughter’s ADHD Awareness videos and who continue to do so. Because of you, a tiny spark has burst into a mighty flame. Let’s keep it roaring!