Parenting ADHD children can be stressful, frustrating and
overwhelming. ADHD children have a shorter attention span
than other kids and they often anger easily when they
don’t get their way.
Parenting through these difficulties will help raise a
happy, healthy child. Here are 9 ADHD parenting tips to
help you cope with and support your ADHD child.
1. Be consistent and set down specific rules. Changing the
rules mid-stream can be confusing to the ADHD child. Be
sure that both parents are on-board with the same rules.
2. Establish routines. All children thrive when they
follow a routine but this is especially true of ADHD
children. Be strict about the times that things take place
but be aware of the fact that your child may have a short
attention span. Limit the time children can watch
television, play video games or listen to music. Sticking
to these rules allows time for the children to think on
their own and to use their creativity.
3. Assign weekly or daily chores. Use a chart to keep
track of progress. Children love to get a gold star when
they complete a task. For ADHD children, this can be a
great ego boost. Be sure to explain exactly how to
complete the task and even demonstrate it to them yourself.
4. Choose your battles wisely. Decide early on what things
are most important and make sure that these things are the
ones that get done. If the child wavers on an unimportant
item let it go. What strikes the child one way one day may
change the next. Be sure that your core values and beliefs
are being honored.
5. Teach time management skills. ADHD children can benefit
tremendously from learning the art of prioritization and
time management. Often the child does not yet understand
how to make these types of decisions. For older children
utilize a planner or electronic organizers.
6. Break tasks down. Children with ADHD may not be able to
stay focused on one task, especially if it is a large one.
Break down each task into smaller, more manageable pieces.
This will reduce the frustration level of you and your
child.
7. Have patience. Parents already know that it takes lots
of patience to raise their children with ADHD. To keep
your own patience level up try giving tasks when there is
plenty of time to complete them and enough time for you to
follow up. Try to allow some room for error and always
accentuate the positive things your child does.
8. Communicate with your child. One of the best ways to
help ADHD children is to spend time with them. Set aside
some time each day to talk to your child and get to know
him. Help him to learn to communicate well with others and
to know that he can come to you with any problems.
9. Be a good role model to your child. This is one of the
biggest factors that will determine the outcome of your
child as an adult. Although it may not seem like it, your
child watches you and strives to be like you.
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Parents play a significant role in providing the necessary
support for their ADHD children. Although medications are
commonly used to control the symptoms, there are
alternative ADHD treatments available. Check out the all
natural and drug-free treatments for ADHD at
http://www.guidetoadhd.com/prd-parent
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