| When you're the linear-thinking parent of an ADD child, | | | | 3) Know your child's teacher: Be sure to get all the |
| it's difficult to relate to your child's behaviors. You | | | | pertinent information about your child's classes at |
| undoubtedly feel every pain of attention deficit, but | | | | school. Ask for due dates of specific assignments, |
| maybe you aren't quite sure how to deal with it, | | | | quizzes, and anything else that you child needs to |
| especially when you child is very young. If you're an | | | | remember. |
| ADD parent of an ADD child, at least you can | | | | 4) Provide sanctuary: Your children suffer frustration |
| remember what being a kid with attention deficit was | | | | every day, and it stems from within themselves, from |
| like, and maybe you've learned some ADD-friendly | | | | their peers, and perhaps from their teachers. Allow |
| ways to cope with attention deficit that you can pass | | | | them some downtime to unwind when they get home. |
| along. But then again, maybe you don't even realize | | | | Make sure that they have a room of their own or a |
| that you have attention deficit yourself. Well, whatever | | | | special place they can go to be alone for a while to |
| situation you find you belong in, here are a few tips to | | | | help them feel less stressed. |
| help: | | | | 5) Make them feel successful: First, find out what your |
| 1) Make things simple: Don't send your kids into another | | | | child is good at. It may take a while to decide what it is, |
| room to get a pen, a piece of paper, and an envelope. | | | | but maybe they're artists, musicians, or good with |
| They'll forget at least one of the three and have to go | | | | technology. Whatever that is, support them in that area |
| back to get what they forgot. To save frustration, | | | | and lavish praise on them when they do something |
| send them for one thing at a time. Because they can | | | | well to boost their self-esteem. |
| manage to come back with that one item, when they | | | | You can use these 5 tips to help make your child's life |
| do, they'll feel happy if you tell them what a great job | | | | better, as well as your own. But it won't happen |
| they did. Rather than deflating their self-esteem, you'll | | | | overnight. You'll have to be consistent in applying these |
| be pumping it up. | | | | techniques, and through a slow process will your child |
| 2) Get a game going: Try involving the whole family in | | | | begin to improve. Some kids will be lucky enough to |
| this strategy. Make sure that people get extra points | | | | control the symptoms of attention deficit as they're |
| for positive behaviors, and that points are deducted | | | | older. Some of them turn into ADD adults. Learn more |
| when someone breaks a rule or doesn't take their turn | | | | coping mechanisms for parents and adults at Instant |
| in the proper order. | | | | ADD Success. |