Tips for Parenting ADHD Children

Tips for Families

Parenting a child with ADHD can create a mixture of feelings. Educating yourself and gaining a better understanding about ADHD, finding support, taking care of yourself and the relationships within the family -– all go a long way to making life a little easier. Here is a list of tips for every parent who has a child with ADHD.

Tips for ADHD Families

1. Become educated about ADHD. Read books and reputable websites. Ask the doctor questions. Connect with other parents of children with ADHD. If you or your spouse has ADHD, connect with other parents with ADHD.

2. Get support. Make sure you and your spouse are consistent and in agreement about parenting styles and provide support to one another. Provide relief and respite by giving each other needed parenting breaks.

3. Single parents especially need to take care of themselves by using babysitters or other respite so the parent can have some space and alone time to decompress and rejuvenate.

4. Get involved in parenting programs that will help provide support and information about parenting strategies. CHADD’s Parent to Parent is one such program to which parents may turn. Parent to Parent is offered locally in communities throughout the nation. Online support services such as ADHD Moms and our own About.com ADD/ADHD Forum are also helpful in providing support and education to parents. Families may also benefit by working with a behavioral specialist who can help set up a behavioral program with appropriate expectations and rewards.

5. Family therapy allows the whole family the opportunity to come together in a safe place in order to get issues out in the open to address, process, and problem solve. If you are feeling the heat from extended family members, get them involved as well so they can gain a more accurate understanding about how ADHD affects daily life.

6. Structure the home in order to avoid problem situations. For example, if your child is extremely active and prone to flinging his arms and body around, don’t fill the family room with breakables, valuable antiques, swivel chairs, etc. Don’t purchase an ATV (all terrain vehicle) or BB gun for your ADHD child. Having these types of items can set your child up for trouble, so think ahead and make simple adjustments to help prevent problems from occurring.

7. Have a sense of humor. A sense of humor can diffuse the most stressful of situations. Plus, it feels much better to laugh at life’s curve balls rather than yelling at them.

8. Be empathic. So often parents take on the enforcer role. Take some time to really think about how difficult your child’s life is with ADHD. Remember that when a child is really struggling with his behavior, sometimes a compassionate hug is the most effective intervention.

9. Have signals within the family to let your kids and spouse know when you need a break.

10. Take time for yourself. Parents often neglect this very, very important tip. When you are stressed your ability to care for others is impaired so schedule in regular “me” time each day.

11. Understand that all children do not learn the same way. Children with ADHD do not learn from cause and effect so be creative in parenting.

12. Remember that kids with ADHD need more supervision.

13. Do not judge your child by the number of candles on his or her birthday cake. Don’t have expectations that just because your child is a certain chronological age, he should be able to do things that other kids who are that same age can do.

14. Know your own child. Have expectations that are appropriate for your child. Understand what he or she needs versus what other children may need.

• Parenting Your ADHD Child
• School Tips for ADHD Kids
• School Success Strategies
  
• Growing Up with ADHD
• For Parents with ADHD
• ADHD: An Inherited Disorder

Source:

Patricia Quinn, MD. Phone interview/email correspondence. January 5 and 27, 2009.