Raising an ADHD child can be extremely difficult for the entire family. Therefore, learning parenting skills that are specific to raising a child suffering from ADHD is extremely important, not only for the health of the child, but also for the relationship between child and parent. Joining a support group that is both educational and socially supportive is extremely useful; it is within this framework that parents can learn how to deal with their special children and be effective.
It is extremely important for parents to set clear goals for themselves and their child, and then be as consistent as possible.
A working parent-child relationship 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 together. Simple things like these are the most important in keeping good connections with your child.
Even though it may seem like an ADHD child exhibits more types of bad behavior than good ones, it is important for you to emphasize good behavior as much as possible. The more you do so, the better their self-concept will be.
When your child has misbehaved, try to stay as calm as you possibly can. The more out of control you act, the less seriously your discipline will be taken. Make sure that when rules are broken there are very clear consequences, which should be delivered in an unemotional manner. Yelling at a child with ADHD is extremely destructive.
Give your child choices: do not tell them what to eat, wear and do. The more choices they have, the more independent they will be as time goes on.
Make sure that the relationship behaviors modeled between the parents are good ones. Children watch what you do, and will imitate what they see later on in life. Make sure to give them a positive example.
It is important for you, as parents, to have time for yourselves as well; otherwise 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. This will help you stay calm when dealing with difficult situations and disciplining your child.
Remember to be strict, but kind. Being firm is good; however, being overly firm or overly passive are not. Make sure your children recognize the difference.
Aliza Adar Levine
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/parenting-adhd-children-119055.html
January 14th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
What are the biggest issues faced by parents of ADHD children?
I am a personal coach specializing in parenting. Because I am also a mother of an ADHD child, I have decided to focus mainly in that area. I desire to help others in this situation, but I want to focus my attention on the main issues faced by parents in this situation and not just rely on my own personal experiences. Each child is different and family values vary…I want to know what others are experiencing.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
ive been readingthis book about "spirited children" and alot of adhd and bipolar children have been misdiagnosed…the fear is the meds that they give these kids at such a young age. there bodies become immune to them and some stop growing and others have different side affects.
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
The BIGGEST thing is getting an accurate diagnosis. Not just from teachers saying the child won’t sit still, not just from a doctor going on the school’s recommendation to medicate, so gives a "diagnosis". There needs to be serious medical intervention if it is suspected – to a neurologist for a brain scan, to a specialist for hormonal and chemical analysis, to a psychiatrist for serious psychological testing, to a nutritionist for food analysis – and I’m sure there is more. ONLY then could there be a diagnosis.
That’s the biggest hurdle, then move on from there with advice form the experts.
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
It seems like there are some temper issues with a lot of these children. My son was once arguing with a little boy that has ADHD and the kid went home and got a rake and brought it back to the park to hit my son. When I went to talk to the mother she felt terrible and said that Troy was not supposed to leave the yard. He gets t eased a lot and its hard for him. Troy and my son have become best friends and they are now inseperable. I know he is on meds but I don’t know what kind. I also know they don’t really let him leave his own yard unless he comes to my house. They are worried about how he may react to other kids being mean. It seems that because of the way he has been treated, he has some issues with trust. He is just now starting to warm up to me a little. Whenever I used to talk to him he would get a little defensive. I just ignored it and continued to be nice. This will be his first time spending the night and I am a little nervous about it. I wish I had advice for you, and I know its not easy, but since you deal with it every day, I bet you will b e awsome at it. Make sure you talk to the parents a lot to get a feel for what they are like and how they handle their child.
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I don’t have an ADHD child myself, but I have discussed these issues with friends who do have children with ADHD.
diagnosis – this is sooo important…. misdiagnosing and improperly medicating a child can have tragic effects
medication/side effects
home discipline — what works, what doesn’t
support/relief for exhausted and frustrated parents
Hope this helps!
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I know you probably looking for information from like parents or adults, I’m only 15 but i know whats its like because i have
ADHD and i go to a Private school which is much easier then a public school because my school has other people with ADHD in it. its hard to deal with ADHD if you have it because you really don’t realize when you go hyper and teachers are like try to control yourself but it much harder then that (on days i forget to take my pills). i have more to Say but i cant remember i all you can email/or whatever me if you want
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
The biggest issue for me is teaching my child to communicate his frustrations, instead of hitting, screaming, kicking, biting, or cussing. The blow ups are unreal and sometimes the littlest things can set him off. It’s hard hearing other parents say, oh it’s just your parenting, or oh, he’s just being a boy. Or the people who think a good spanking or beating will do the trick. It’s frustrating when my own family doesn’t understand or agree with how I am handling him. They think the same as the others. Until you have lived with it, you will truly never understand what goes on with children who have this problem. It can be very demanding, but I know it’s worth it. I understand my child can not help it, but others just don’t. I hope I have helped. E-mail me if you need anymore info. Would be happy to help. Good luck.
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Mother of five. One child, 16, has ADHD inattentive, One child with ADHD combined, ODD with bi polar traits.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
My son is ADHD and my biggest issue it getting him to communicate what he is feeling, instead of blowing up, yelling, hitting, screaming, destroying things, etc., getting him to understand that he has to think before he answers, and that there are rules to be followed and consequences that happen if not followed. Another issue is getting the med dosage correct and in check. The littlest thing like a growth spurt, weight change, even appetite can mess it up, and it is a pain to adjust it with the outbursts.
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mother of 8 ~ one child with ADHD, another with ADD & learning disability
January 14th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I too have a son, age 6 with adhd, and it has truly been a test on my parenting skills to say the least! I firmly believe my baby boy has been properly diagnosed with the help of his teacher and our family physician and his specialist. I believe the biggest issue for my personal situation has been learning how to deal with his out bursts and anger and aggression. My husband and I have no one to call on to help us so it is solely on us to cope with his behavior and still keep our "marbles" Another issue has been our other children say we are favoring our adhd son (who is the baby of the family) and that we should be spanking him and stuff which i dont agree with regardless, so we also have the constant battle trying to educate the older children on his condition and help them understand that he has to be dealt with in more passive ways than maybe they have been dealt with in their younger years….good luck and hope this helps
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
my brother is Adhd so the biggest problem is his temper tantrums..
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January 14th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
My youngest son has ADHD. He was loving to me all along, however, when it came time for school, didn’t deal with the separation too well and they couldn’t handle him. He would get very violent, like throwing chairs, yes at age 5, and refuse to do anything they want him to do.
He was seen by a therapist, and put on Dexadrine after another med wasn’t working w/him. Dexadrine, has turned this kid around…Now in 7th grade, and getting all A’s/B’s, he is able to control himself when he gets angry for the most part which he never could before. I used to have to brace him until he reached his low, and end up crying and then realising is behaviour was wrong, etc. he’d then apologise to me/teachers/etc.
Today, he is a pleasure to have in class, and ranked one of the highest as far as intelligence. Although boys will be boys when it comes to his siblings! He has come a long way and has made me a very proud mommy…
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live it..
January 14th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
The child needs to be spanked when he gets out of hand – If he is over 7, use a 1X2 stick that is 2 ft. long and spank him with as many swats as his age – this is a cure for ADHD. Other tips for helping the situation is to remove all video game systems out of the house and to get him outside to be physically active.
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