| Many people do not understand what it is like to be the | | | | many kids since it involves often needing to complete |
| parent of a child with ADHD, also known as attention | | | | work in a given period of time and sitting in one place |
| deficit hyperactivity disorder. It's not uncommon for | | | | paying attention. Make sure you are on the same page |
| people to blame the disorder on bad parenting skills | | | | as teachers and are involved in different school |
| and fail to realize that it is a medical condition that the | | | | activities. You and your child have several rights as to |
| child and the parents have no control over. For many | | | | what schools need to do to accommodate their |
| parents it can be exhausting to have a child that is | | | | special needs. If need be, you can often get an |
| constantly active and unable to focus and concentrate | | | | education advocate to help you get your child in the |
| on different tasks. Fortunately, there are things parents | | | | right programs through either your counselor, physician, |
| can do to help them keep calm and deal with the | | | | or even the county where you live. |
| many challenges parenting can present to them. | | | | 4. Maintain a Positive Attitude: It's easy to get caught |
| Here are some tips for Parenting Children with ADHD: | | | | up on the negative behaviors and problems. Instead, |
| 1. Stay Calm: It is easy to lose your temper with your | | | | focus on your child's strengths and help them excel in |
| child, especially if you've had to ask them repeatedly to | | | | those areas. Instead of looking at things negatively, try |
| do something or if they've deliberately done something | | | | to place a positive spin on it whenever possible. |
| you asked them not to do. Getting upset over things | | | | 5. Take Breaks: You don't need to be a super hero to |
| however is not going to be productive and will only | | | | be the parent of a child with attention deficit |
| likely further create more tension and problems. Count | | | | hyperactivity disorder. It's okay to take breaks and |
| to 10, go to another room, or practice deep breathing | | | | time out for yourself. Try to go out at least once a |
| techniques until you are calm enough to deal with the | | | | week or do an activity you truly enjoy to give yourself |
| situation. | | | | some much needed relaxation time. |
| 2. Set a Schedule: Kids with ADHD do very well with | | | | These tips can greatly help you cope with the daily |
| structure and regular schedules. The more structured | | | | frustrations of living with someone with ADHD can |
| and organized your day to day routine is, the better off | | | | present. When you get involved, stay positive, and do |
| it will be for managing organization and keeping your | | | | all that you can while still making sure you get breaks |
| child focused. Having set routines for the morning, doing | | | | for yourself, you can be confident that you are doing |
| homework, and bedtime can greatly help reduce | | | | the best thing possible for you and your child. |
| battles. | | | | 5. |
| 3. Be Involved in School: School can be a challenge for | | | | |