DIRTY LAUNDRY: Why adults with ADHD are so ashamed and what we can do to help

Product Information

Wow! I’ve been waiting to write this for awhile so I could get my thoughts organized. In typical adhd Fashion, I put it Off forgetting about it and this will likely be jumbled - so bear with me…

I had discovered your TikTok account and had shown my husband and he enjoyed them and we had a giggle about how “wow babe this really is you!!”Publishing director Marianne Tatepo acquired world all-language rights in all formats from Oscar Janson-Smith at Gleam Futures in a “significant” two-book deal made in a 48-hour pre-empt. Laundry mostly involves muscle memory and our undivided attention at irregular intervals. Use this to your advantage to make the process less grueling. Do your laundry as you watch TV, listen to music, enjoy a podcast, or read a book. Think of it as getting something accomplished while you are enjoying some down time. Filled with heartbreak and humour in equal measure, DIRTY LAUNDRY is an invaluable resource both for neurodivergents and the people who love them. The ultimate gift for anyone who wants to understand ADHD better. They share the strategies they have used to reduce shame, improve communication, and find happiness in their neurodivergent household.

Thank you both so much for this book. My therapist loved it after I suggested she read it and I love it to. Thank you both so much for your content and helping people with ADHD 🥰 Make sure that the activity doesn’t completely distract from the task. Always be sure to set timers on your phone for the length of the washer or dryer cycle so you don’t risk leaving your laundry unfinished. 4. Make a Game Out of It A book full of different couple’s Split View with coping mechanisms laid out could have been interesting, but again, the SAME example used by both persons just gets boring. An initially self-published book on ADHD, Dirty Laundry, by husband and wife TikTok team Roxanne Emery and Richard Pink has been pre-empted by Square Peg.I have read countless books on ADHD since being diagnosed about 8 years ago. While this book is not the most “scientific”, it was the most profound and helpful for me emotionally. You won’t find typical advice in here (you know the advice all of us have tried and failed at again and again) - this book is more about connecting with and accepting yourself. There is practical advice in working WITH your ADHD and good advice for partners. The portion for partners is wonderfully geared towards reframing your mindset towards your ADHDer along with small shifts in the way you approach/help them. Rox’s humour and honesty amidst the tumult of coming to terms with the 10 key symptoms of her adult ADHD diagnosis, and Rich’s commitment to learning, gently challenging and empathising, will no doubt provoke ’a-ha!’ moments in many couples, families and friendships—as they did for me. I couldn’t think of a better duo to tell this unfiltered story of acceptance, self-love and mutual compassion.” Rich, Rox's husband, is unapologetically frank in offering his side of the story and wholly compassionate towards not only the severity of the condition his lovely wife lives with, but supportive and understanding of the condition itself. It's very clear that he is actively doing his best to not only support her, but that he accepts Rox exactly the way she is and loves her unconditionally. Together, they are living their lives in a way that suits them BOTH - this is not a case of 'pandering' to Rox's ADHD symptoms. It's a husband and wife team utterly in love and both doing their absolute best to support one another. The pair’s social media channels, @ADHD_Love, have more than 900,000 followers and their videos have been viewed more than 200 million times. They said: “It’s a rather scary thing, to share with the world that you struggle to shower and keep on top of laundry. To see those very vulnerable stories resonate with so many people has been incredibly heart-warming. ADHD can be very isolating so there is great comfort to be taken from realising that we are not alone. To further simplify things, buy fuss-free, permanent press, wash-and-wear garments; they are your friends! Weed out the rest, and keep weeding until there is enough room to put things away easily in drawers and closet. If you have mostly permanent press clothes and you take them out of the dryer when the egg timer buzzes, you can eliminate ironing. Drop off formal wear at the dry-cleaners to be pressed.

This book breaks down all the shame and stigma that gets in the way of meaningfull relationships and provides all parties with a roadmap forward. Set yourself up for easy washing by automatically dividing items into distinct baskets or divided hampers for darks, whites, towels, and perhaps exercise gear. This eliminates one step in the laundry process and makes it easier to start this chore. 3. It’s OK to Multitask This Time! From the husband-and-wife team behind social media phenomenon @ADHD_Love , whose viral videos have been viewed more than 200 million times , comes a fearless, often outrageously funny, account of life, learning, and growing with ADHD. Roxy also talks about appearing co-dependant, which after 8 years with my partner…same! There are just some aspects in our relationship that one of us will *always* handle, and you know what it works for us with no overwhelm! I was over the moon when you released the audio book because when I get so engrossed in reading that I can’t do anything else and my husband is a slow reader.

Success!

Made us giggle and helped us forge a much deeper connection with our friends and family with ADHD. A godsend!' - Davina McCall & Michael Douglas If I'd have one criticism (and I do) is that the book (and the social media) are from the perspective of helping the ND partner function in society and how much the NT partner is doing, how aware they are, how patient, loving and understanding. And although that is cool to see, would have loved to see more vulnerability on Rich's side and maybe more ways in which being in this relationship improved HIS life and what Rox is teaching him. The way is depicted now comes across as a bit unilateral. There is ONE chapter in the book where Rich says being with Rox taught him to sometimes enjoy spending money and indulge in little things. Even though we had only just begun to understand what being ND was and it’s impact on our lives (late diagnosis yaaay!!) 18 years years of frustration and hurt culminated in the decision that we just can not live with each other. Being agile and publishing books not just about but also by people from underserved communities is crucial to Square Peg. I’m glad to be bringing Dirty Laundry —and its follow-up—to more readers and retailers worldwide and releasing a brand-new audio edition for added accessibility.