Parenting with a little ADHDer
Noticing signs of ADHD in your child and taking that first step to beginning their ADHD journey can be tough for a parent. Whether you yourself have ADHD or not you may feel anxious, begin to overthink and stress about what you can do or what you should do at home.
Their Environment
Some of the most common ADHD symptoms are inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. This at times can cause accidents or injury. Ensuring your children's environment is as safe as possible is important for them to feel safe and for you to feel relaxed around their safety.
All children require an interesting and stimulating environment that will give them opportunities to explore, discover and develop their life skills. Children with ADHD are no different. What is imperative for a child with ADHD is that they are properly supervised. Do not set them up to fail or have an accident
Although you may feel pressured to, you do not need to give your child constant attention but you do have to be available for them. Spending quality time with your child is important, i.e. trips to the cinema, park or even just a walk together. However, very short and frequent episodes of attention from you, is just as important. If your child approaches you, stop what you’re doing and if possible spend a bit of time with them.
Praise and Discipline
All children can have spells of difficult behaviour and can be challenging whilst growing up and again that's not any different if your child has ADHD. It may happen more frequently due to situations they find themselves in. Sometimes their challenging behaviour can be caused by ADHD symptoms such as; impulsiveness, poor emotional regulation, hyperactivity, inattentiveness. Disciplining your child when they have ADHD at times can be extremely tough as a parent, remaining calm may feel difficult but is key here.
Being assertive and using assertive discipline can help your child to take responsibility of their actions, gain more control of situations and how they react and become more sensitive to the needs of others. Assertive discipline for parents of children with ADHD means you have to be consistent, respond immediately when your child is misbehaving and you have to teach them what’s acceptable behaviour and what is unacceptable behaviour.
Whenever possible, teach your child by encouraging them to do things for themselves. This will help them with their confidence and independence. Don’t forget to give them a lot of positive feedback when they are doing something you like. By giving them praise they are more likely to do the things again that you like.
Self Care
This is one of the most important things to remember as a parent! There is no point in trying to do the best for your child when you are not looking after yourself. There is nothing wrong with having some time to yourself. Having your own personal space and interests is important and everyone needs intimacy and friendships. You are no different. Your personal needs are very important and if these are being met you will find it easier to cope with the demands of having a child with ADHD. This may be taking an hour away from family time or time with your child and going for a walk, a long bath, a coffee shop on your own. No matter what it is taking this time to take care of yourself and your mental health will benefit both yours and your child's life.
