Being a parent is a hard and daily struggle; from managing the household to caring for the children and all the chores in between, these tasks require patience, passion, and understanding. What more if your child is diagnosed with ADHD? Clearly, the demands of parenthood are more complex.
Children with ADHD exhibit impulsivity and hyperactivity. They have trouble following directions and are frequently irritated. These few symptoms are more than enough to frustrate and embarrass a parent, making child rearing extremely difficult. They can, however, help their children and themselves improve their situation by adopting appropriate techniques and methods, as well as exhibiting more tolerance.
Here are some Do’s & Don’ts for parenting an ADHD child:
Do’s
- Try to learn everything there is to know about ADHD. By getting actively involved, you can gain better knowledge and make better decisions about how to deal with your child’s unusual actions without making them feel hostile toward you and the people around him or her.
- Make time for physical activity, such as exercise. Because an ADHD youngster is so energetic, they might channel that energy into focusing on something that fascinates them. At the same time, it reduces their impulsiveness while providing other mental health benefits.
- Create basic routines. Establishing simple habitual activities that an ADHD kid can complete with little assistance from others can help them gain confidence. These can include tidying his or her bedroom after waking up, assisting in the setting of the table during mealtimes, storing his or her books after reading, and so on.
- Cut down on screen time and distractions. Do you know that a child with ADHD’s emotional imbalance is exacerbated by excessive screen time? That is why it is best to limit their usage of gadgets and substitute them with activities such as playing board games to provide them an outlet for their endless energy.
- Be ready to commend and praise. Words of encouragement boost a child’s self-esteem and are particularly beneficial for inattentive ADHD children. Praise them if they demonstrate good behavior or complete their activity, as this encourages them to focus.
- Deal with your own stress and learn to slow down. Caring for someone with a mental disease can be difficult, which is why it is critical to take a break and schedule some me-time. A brief break now and then is important for any parent since it allows them to stay composed and relaxed throughout their child’s outbursts.
Don’ts:
- Do not let anxiety and negativity control you. When your child has ADHD, it’s normal to be concerned and fearful, but dwelling on these feelings will not help. Instead, try to identify the positive aspects of the circumstance, be calm, and believe that tomorrow will be better.
- Don’t yell or strike out. Screaming at your child if he or she exhibits bad behavior will not benefit either of you. Constant yelling or expressing anger might develop fear in the child and inflict additional damage.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help. Let’s be honest: you can’t do it all by yourself. Don’t hesitate to join ADHD groups and organizations because they will increase your knowledge and broaden your outlook. Visit recommended mental health providers such as Arbor Wellness to assist you and your child in coping with appropriate therapies.
Parenting is undoubtedly a difficult job. Every day, you must give it your all in terms of resilience, creativity, and understanding. Consider being a parent to an ADHD child; your hundred percent effort may be insufficient because your resilience, creativity, and understanding must be doubled. However, if you live with faith, love, and positivity, you will be able to handle it well and assist your child and family to thrive in the face of this difficult situation.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-parenting-discipline-tips
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/how-to-parent-a-child-with-adhd/
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/parenting-tips#what-to-do
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/parenting-kid-adhd.html
