| ren with ADD present unique parenting challenges. | | | | days. |
| Those challenges are often seen as frustrating by the | | | | 2. Information overloads in the mind of your child with |
| parent who is trying to get a child to behave or | | | | ADD. This is true whether they are hyperactive or not |
| cooperate. Does anything work? Yes, and it’s | | | | and therefore, the brain works double times harder to |
| easier than you might think. | | | | handle all in a day. Make sure your child has ample rest |
| What are the chief dilemma for parent with ADD | | | | or breaks throughout the day even if it means |
| children? | | | | spending some time outside just running off the |
| “He never listens, or at least acts as if he | | | | excess energy or just sleeping it off. |
| hasn’t heard a word I’ve said!” | | | | 3. Organizing a child with ADD can result in a positive |
| – Most of the times, parents might feel as if they | | | | outlook. Parents can help children become organizing |
| are talking to a brick wall. This is probably the most | | | | by laying out before the activities they need to do for |
| prevalent problem of all. Getting the attention of a child | | | | the day beforehand. This can be done by having a |
| with ADD is simply a frustrating task even if you seek | | | | calendar. Not only will they be able to see what is in |
| the attention for a very short time. They simply cannot | | | | store for them that day but possibly the rest of the |
| focus on anything too long to be able to pay attention | | | | week too. Teach your child to be organized with their |
| to it. | | | | belonging such as books, toys and even clothes. They |
| “She loses everything!” – Another | | | | need to be placed a specific place when not in use. |
| prime symptom of ADD is the disability to be | | | | Parents can help out if it seems like some days or |
| organized. You may find that they can loose anything | | | | even a particular part of a day is hectic for the child to |
| in a jiffy. You can look at the way they keep their | | | | handle on their own. |
| things such as their closet or even school bag, which | | | | 4. Do what is best for your child when it comes to |
| reflects exactly the situation in their mind. | | | | disciplining them. While it is a good idea to set the limit |
| “His moods are unpredictable. It’s hard | | | | for your child, it is also good if the limits are those that |
| to take him out anywhere!” – ADD | | | | can be achieved by your child. Don’t over |
| children’s day needs to be scheduled if not, he | | | | discipline and compare what you do to other parents |
| or she may become anxious or irritated. This is due to | | | | because it can be hard for your child to cope with. |
| the fact that ADD brain craves structure and | | | | Always have your child’s best interest as your |
| abandoning this will be like affect them tremendously. | | | | top reason for doing or taking what ever action when |
| “She’s like a little time bomb if I | | | | it comes to parenting. |
| don’t let her go outside and play!” | | | | 5. ADD childrens are impossible to control and they |
| – Hyperactivity is something that parents need | | | | also can’t help themselves when dealing with |
| to deal with. It is not something they should ignore as | | | | impulsivity or her hyperactivity. They more effort you |
| doing this will make the situation worse. Try not to curb | | | | put in learning what techniques are suitable to keep |
| but provide a give and take situation. | | | | things under control, the more you feel that things |
| “He just won’t mind me.” – | | | | aren’t so bad after all. Patience is the key to |
| Even kids without ADD will rebel and test the | | | | success. |
| parent’s limit. Kids with ADD tend to be more | | | | 6. Celebrate his successes. Unfortunately, much is |
| impulsive and often act before thinking. This makes | | | | written about the trials and tribulations of kids with |
| them appear more disobedient. | | | | ADD. But not everything they do is bad, misguided, or |
| THE 6 STRATEGIES FOR PARENTING YOUR ADD | | | | intentional. Catch your child when she does something |
| CHILD | | | | good and tell her you noticed. Reinforce the learning |
| 1. Try to cultivate a life properly scheduled and planned | | | | that she is doing to get her ADD under control. In fact, |
| for your child. This way, he or she knows what to | | | | she will respond better to positive reinforcement than |
| expect thus eliminating irritations and anxiety to a | | | | to your yelling and scolding. |
| certain degree. If he or she is routinely asked to go to | | | | Some parents are put off by the fact that more effort |
| bed about the same time every night and expected to | | | | are required to manage their ADD children. Parenting is |
| be at the breakfast table every morning also at about | | | | not as easy as it seems and having to deal with ADD |
| the same time, your child’s day will not be too | | | | children can be a blessing in disguise. Careful planning |
| unpredictable. This need for the bran to have a proper | | | | and organizing can go a long way in your attempt to |
| structure will benefit tremendously from organized | | | | bring the best out of your ADD children. |