ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend

Written by Kate Hufstetler


Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so-- my hat is off to you!

ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says),

and tons of work. They are alsorepparttar rising sun andrepparttar 111095 setting star: meaning much of

life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be

your child's best friend.

Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in "jammies" all day-- everyday,

messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot

dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child.

I am suggestingrepparttar 111096 reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep

perspective. And yes-- try thinking alongrepparttar 111097 lines of being best friends with your child.

Best friends are people who look out forrepparttar 111098 best interest of another.

Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.

Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and

feels.

Best friends stand up for one-another, for their rights, their feelings, their health, and

their needs.

Best friends look forward to more time together.

Best friends cherish each other dearly.

Best friends also speakrepparttar 111099 truth and help guide each other alongrepparttar 111100 journey of life

together.

Here are more simple reminders that we easily forget when caught up in our daily

grind. I hope they will help from time to time with your ADD / ADHD parenting:

* Remember to keeprepparttar 111101 rules-- but not TOO many rules all at once... allrepparttar 111102 time! * Schedule FUN * Stop being organized now and then to ad-lib and make delight shine for you both

again! * Yes-- even with medicated kids some days are suddenly going to be worse than

others. * This is physiological-- remember? * You arerepparttar 111103 expert in his/her eyes. Provide correction and consequences accordingly. * Use notebooks, or better yet email, to communicate withrepparttar 111104 teacher daily. * It is no fun forrepparttar 111105 ADD / ADHD child to be "wrong" or in trouble so much ofrepparttar 111106 day--

Family Vacations and Expectations

Written by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach & Consultant


It’s that time of year again: Time forrepparttar family vacation. It’s a good time to rethink some things like perfectionism, expectations, andrepparttar 111094 meaning ofrepparttar 111095 word “vacation.”

First of all, we call it a “vacation,” but if you’rerepparttar 111096 parent, it isn’t going to be one for you. In fact you’re likely to work harder than you would at home, so why not call it “The Children’s Vacation.” Children don’t need a vacation for rest and relaxation; in fact they’re likely to rev up for vacations. If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, plan your own vacation for another time. Here are some things to keep in mind as you plan and takerepparttar 111097 family vacation that can keep you from unrealistic expectations which will erode your experience:

1.Because kids accelerate with new experiences and fun times, plan to GO rested; don’t plan on COMING HOME rested. 2.Consider options for help withrepparttar 111098 kids. Many resorts and cruise lines offer supervised programs for children where they can meet new friends. Or take along a mother’s helper, older niece or nephew, or grandmother. It’s more fun for all. 3.Plan ahead forrepparttar 111099 unpredictable. Use your Emotional Intelligence to relax, being flexible and creative, rather than tightening up and getting rigid. Testingrepparttar 111100 limits in each new circumstance is normal. You can handle it as long as you aren’t surprised by it.

4.Prepare forrepparttar 111101 predictable – high spirits, boredom, and fights with siblings. Deal with themrepparttar 111102 same way you do at home. Don’t blame each other forrepparttar 111103 misbehavior ofrepparttar 111104 kids. Just cope with it.

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