| Parenting can seem to be an overwhelming | | | | When you become too busy and too stressed , it |
| responsibility at times. Add to this the additional stress | | | | becomes increasingly hard to enjoy your child. And this |
| that comes with raising a child with ADD/HD. Mix in | | | | lack of enjoyment is transmitted to your child, who |
| everyday stresses and pressures, and the joy of | | | | becomes increasingly hard difficult to handle. Children |
| parenting can get lost in the confusion. | | | | sense your stress and internalize it and become |
| So what can you do to bring the joy back to | | | | stressed themselves. When they are feeling stressed, |
| parenting? Here are some suggestions to help you do | | | | misbehavior tends to increase. |
| just that. | | | | In their wonderful book, "Positive Parenting For |
| MAKE ENJOYING YOUR CHILD A PRIORITY. | | | | Pre-Schoolers" authors, Jane Nelson & Cheryl |
| Childhood is so fleeting and your child will change so | | | | Erwin , offer this sage advice for parents of all children, |
| dramatically in the early years that before you know it, | | | | regardless of age. Parents of children with ADD |
| your child will have ended one phase of childhood and | | | | & ADHD would do especially well to heed this |
| begun another. | | | | wonderful bit of parenting wisdom. |
| When you have small children, forget lofty and | | | | They say "Ask yourself this question when |
| unattainable ambitions like being the perfect | | | | circumstances get in the way of simply enjoying your |
| housekeeper, running the PTA, cooking gourmet meals | | | | children 'What difference will it make 10 years from |
| or excessive volunteer work. | | | | now?' Whether the house is clean, the lawn is mowed, |
| As far as possible , try to eliminate the anything that | | | | and the furniture waxed doesn't make any difference; |
| makes you feel stressed and takes away from time | | | | on the other hand, time you spent with your spouse |
| with your children. | | | | and children will make all the difference in the world." |
| Oprah said it best "You can have it all, just not all at | | | | I hope you take these words of wisdom to heart |
| the same time." | | | | when parenting your ADD or ADHD child and just |
| Contrary to popular belief, you can "do it all", but your | | | | learn to enjoy him or her to the fullest. |
| child will be the one to pay the price. | | | | |