It can be extremely difficult for the entire family to raise a child with ADHD. But learning specific parenting skills in relation to ADHD is extremely important for the health of the child as well as the relationship between child and parent. One thing that would be really useful for parents is to join a support group that is both educational and socially supportive. Here is where parents will learn how to deal with their special children and become effective parents.
One very important thing a parent needs to do is set clear goals for themselves and their children. After these goals are set, it is crucial to be as consistent as possible. Many times, if the child is old enough, you should include them in the goal setting process and allow them to help set the rules. This will tend to force the child to follow the rules better.
Keep in mind that a parent’s relationship with their child is essential in any family, but it is doubly important with ADHD children. For a relationship to work, you need both time and a willingness to listen. Spend at least fifteen minutes to half an hour a day with your child. Ask him or her about their day. Have a conversation or eat dinner with them. Simple things like this are the most important in keeping good connections with your child. By keeping these good connections with your child, you will be better able to see when to intervene if a problem should arise.
Even though it may seem like an ADHD child has more bad behaviors than good, emphasize the good ones as much as possible. The more you emphasize the good behaviors your child does, the better their self-concept will be. It is so easy for a parent to cause a bad self esteem in their ADHD child, so this should be foremost on your mind in order to avoid this potential hazard.
When your child has misbehaved, try to stay as calm as you possibly can. The more out of control you act, the less seriously discipline is taken. Make sure when rules are broken that there are very clear consequences and that they are delivered in an unemotional manner. Yelling at a child with ADHD is extremely destructive.
Give your child choices for what they can do. Do not tell them exactly what they will eat, wear and do. The more choices they have, the more independent they will become as time goes on.
Make sure that the relationship behaviors modeled between parents are good ones. Children watch what you do, and they will imitate what they see later on in life. Make sure your behaviors are positive ones.
It is important that parents have time for themselves, or it is only natural that you will become stressed out. This is especially true for mothers who always feel they need to give 100% of themselves at all times. Even as a mother, you are an individual and need to take care of yourself as well.
Remember to be strict but kind. It is good to be firm, but being overly firm is not good either. Make sure your children know the difference. It is not good to be overly passive either.
Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on ADHD, please visit ADHD for a wealth of information. You may also want to visit keith’s own web site at keithlondriedotcom/