Parenting Strategies for "Frazzled Parents" of A.D.D. Kids

by Janine M. Marek, M.Ed., L.P.C.

Contact Info:
560 W. Main Street, Suite 102
Lewisville, Texas 75057
Phone: (972) 434-4048

 

Even parents with the best parenting skills become "frazzled" when dealing with the day-to-day stress of raising children with A.D.D. Living with a child who has A.D.D. can bring out the best and the worst in a family. Parents can develop a more positive and rewarding relationship with their child by following some of the suggestions listed below.

Choose the suggestions appropriate to your situation in raising both "difficult" and "not-so-difficult" children and teenagers.

• Remember what it was like to be a child; remember how you were at their age. Get down to their level.

• Evaluate your behavior. Are you setting a good example? Remember, research has shown that A.D.D. tends to have a genetic component and untreated A.D.D. parents will impact the child’s habits and behaviors.

• Develop clear goals for raising your child that helps to define the kind of person you’d like them to become.

• Don’t tell you child 10 times to do something—expect them to comply the first time. Have clear consequences for broken rules.

• As a parent, it is very important to be involved in your child’s life. Make sure you allow enough time for them so that you can influence their direction.

• Have fun with your kids. Limit the time spent on video games and watching television. Encourage more creative and productive activities to enhance their emotional and physical health. Try to spend some "special time" with your child each day.

• Try to focus and acknowledge when your child does something right rather than just focusing on what they do wrong. Reinforce their good behavior.

• Be firm with your child. Don’t allow guilt to cause you to back down on what you know is right. Try giving your child choices rather than dictating or making the decision for your child.

• Try using an alternative response to "No" and try not to yell, berate or hit an A.D.D. child.

• Be a good listener to convey respect and trust to your child. Be sure to understand your child’s feelings when he become upset or frustrated.

• Provide a loving, supportive environment. The way your family functions will be the model your child copies; how they communicate, organize their lives and cooperate with others.

• Never discipline your child when you are out of control and use the discipline to teach rather than punish. Nagging and yelling can be extremely destructive and ineffective with the A.D.D child. Apologize to your child when you make a mistake.

• Help your child see past their disabilities and weaknesses.

Your relationship with your child is the key to success in raising an A.D.D. child. Many parents underestimate their influence over their child. With a good parent-child relationship, your child will not be afraid to come to you when they need you.

Remember, effective parenting is a learned skill. With a good parent-child relationship, almost any form of discipline will work effectively.

A child with A.D.D. will test their parent’s patience all the time. A calm, caring, level-headed authority figure who respects and takes the time to understand their child will help their child thrive and flourish in spite of the diagnosis of A.D.D.

Contact Info:
Janine Marek, LPC
560 W. Main Street, Suite 102
Lewisville, Texas 75057
Phone: (972) 434-4048

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