Being a parent of a child with ADD or ADHD is a lifetime challenge. You definitely want to be part of your child’s life for as long as you live, right? Your child having an ADD or ADHD condition should make your resolve all the more resolute. But beware: being in the life of a child with ADD or ADHD is both overwhelming and frustrating. But these emotions should not distract you from doing what you can, because as a parent, you have the capacity to do a lot. You have the power to aid your kid in meeting his or her challenges daily, channel his or her energy into positive areas while maintaining order in your home and controlling the negative symptoms of ADD or ADHD.
Practical tips
Adapt a positive attitude and don’t be hard on yourself. Getting fed up is normal, even in rearing a child without any psychological condition. Thus, you always need to remember to take care of yourself. Children with ADD or ADHD are likely to be less mature than children their age, usually displayed with their impatience and impulsiveness. By being too hard on yourself, you will eventually transmit that attitude to your child, which will lead him or her to be more stubborn as they can sense your frustration. Tackle one thing at a time with your child. Do all activities piecemeal so that he or she won’t get frustrated and you will take it easy on yourself as well. Sit down with your child and when he or she is settled, and set one rule for that sit-down session. For example, set a rule that when he or she is inside the bathroom and needs your assistance, he or she needs to call you just once so that you can attend to him or her. Tell your child about the no-nos like shouting and roughhousing. Then, you can draw a chart that would allow him or her to check when a rule has been followed. Then if he or she follows for five times, you can give him or her some reward like a trip to the zoo or a story at bedtime. A behavioral plan will enable you to condition his or her behavior and at the same time give each other special time and beautiful memories.
Addressing your child’s needs
As a parent, you should be the first to be armed with the knowledge that ADD or ADHD afflicted children can and do succeed in life. If you can address your special child’s concerns the earlier and more consistently, the more likely you can lead him or her to success. With the chart you have set up earlier, you are enforcing your kid on his or her achievements. You now have a visual representation of his or her little achievements. That way, you are conditioning your kid that he or she has the ability to do something right. With that, you are providing him or her a mindset for success.
With these rules, you are also creating a structured and predictable atmosphere. You might think that this will be boring and futile, but having routines and predictability is something your child that has ADD or ADHD can cope with. Surprises and unplanned activities will cause a child with ADD or ADHD distress and anxiety. Thus, it could be great for him or her to see what activities or plans to follow with a calendar or list. This will condition him or her to a structure that he or she will be comfortable with, and make things easier for your kid and you.
Taking care of yourself
Giving attention to your kid with ADD or ADHD is recommended, but the attention to be given should be the positive kind. Spoiling the kid with attention is not good, so plan instead one-on-one regular time with him or her. Furthermore, let him or her interact with another person so that he or she will not be smothered with your attention. A trained person is available with big buddy programs, allowing your child the ability to effectively socially interact with a person outside his or her family. This should give your kid a renewed feeling of self-worth. With that time your child spends with another person, you can use the time to take care of yourself. It is important that you maintain your physical and emotional health, or you might end up being ineffective in taking care of your kid because you are too tired, emotionally drained or physically sick.
That being said, it is important for a kid with ADHD or ADD to always be busy. Being idle will make him or her do things that may wreck havoc into your home. That’s why a schedule was suggested earlier. You should be able to keep him or her busy, but also do things one at a time, so that he or she won’t be overwhelmed.