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Tips for ADHD Parents
By Parenting.com
Parenting a child with ADHD (also known as ADD) can be tough, but when a parent has the disorder too, the situation can feel almost impossible. Since it is thought to be genetic, dealing with double ADHD is a reality for many families.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to control the chaos and be more effective as a parent. We talked to experts at Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), the nation's leading organization serving people affected by ADHD, for tips on how to cope.
Get Treatment
When a parent's symptoms of ADHD mix with their child's, there can be fireworks. As parents we often put our kids' needs before our own, but one of the most important things you can do for them is to get your own ADHD treated. Having it under control -- and keeping it that way -- will make it much easier to deal with things like the endless pile of laundry.
Educate Yourself
Parenting's a tough job any way you slice it. Parenting a kid with ADHD is even harder, so you may need a little extra help. Attend a parenting class geared specifically toward ADHD, join a support group, or read one of the many excellent books on the topic, like The Gift of ADHD Activity Book: 101 Ways to Turn Your Child's Problems Into Strengths by Lara Honos-Webb.
Understand Where He's Coming From
Kids with ADHD aren't trying to drive you nuts -- they're just wired that way. Think of it as a brain short circuit rather than willful bad behavior. Understanding that your child has a disability he's often unable to control will go a long way toward helping you be more patient.
Remember What It's Like
Chances are you've been in your child's shoes. Think about how you felt growing up with ADHD (even if you weren't diagnosed at the time) -- remember the feelings of failure and frustration? Recalling your own struggles can help jolt things into perspective when you're banging your head against the wall.
Make It Routine
Consistency is key for ADHD families, so make sure a schedule's firmly in place -- and then follow it to a T. The more predictable your family life is, the easier it is for you and your child to get stuff done.
Share the Burden
If you have a spouse who doesn't have ADHD, let him or her takes on the tasks that are harder for you to do well. However, be sure you are on the same page about expectations, rules, and discipline, even if one of you plays "bad cop" more often.
The ADHD File
Put together a binder of all child's medical records and educational plans related to the ADHD, and automatically file things as they come in. No more rifling through piles of paper -- everything will all be in one place when you need it for a meeting with the teacher or your family physician.
Outsource Your Paperwork
Does the paper wrangling in the previous tip sound like it would involve Herculean effort? Hire a highly-organized friend to help you pull together and file all of your child's paperwork. Then all you'd need to do is maintain.
Next: Reward Your Children
More from Parenting.com:
Famous People with ADHD
ADHD Tips from Teachers
Parenting.com's Guide to ADHD
1 comment:
A child being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is very much different than his getting diagnosed with strep throat, a broken arm or diabetes. Although they are all medical conditions, with ADHD, many parents either openly or in the back of their minds wonder if their child's ADHD is because of some failure on their part.
I thought it would be easier being a Pediatrician who cares for and sees so many success stories among his patients with ADHD, but it wasn't.
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