How Can I Help My ADHD Child?

Three Roles of a ADHD Parent: Graham NC Therapist

Its hard being a parent of a child with attention deficit struggles.  It can be so overwhelming.  Sometimes it’s like how I feel when I visit my sister-in-law and wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  At my house, I know where all the doors and furniture is so getting to the bathroom is easy.   At my sister-in-law’s, I bump into every wall and every piece of furniture.  In the process, I bruise my shins and wake up everybody in the house.  Maybe you, like I, have felt like you are groping your way through parenting your child.  I’d like to suggest three ADHD parent roles for you to master on your way to becoming a great parent.

The Praiser

The first ADHD parent role for you to master is the praiser.  This is an important one for an attention deficit parent.  For some of us, this doesn’t come naturally.  If this is true of you, it is a skill that you can master.  I’m not going to say it is easy.  But, you can do it.  Be a praiser.  Praise them for anything you can find.  If they brush their teeth or take out the trash without being asked, praise them.  If they make a “b”  when they’ve been making “c’s,” praise them.  Just praise them.  Developing an encouraging style of parenting can be far more effective than traditional parenting styles.  This is especially the case with the ADHD child.  So be great at praising.  It can go a long way for the ADHD child.

The Organizer

Organization is a important ADHD parent role for every parent of a attention deficit child.   Attention deficit children can be significantly affected by organizational problems.  This means an ADHD child might, forget their homework at home or they books at school.  They might be unable to know what their homework is or when things are due.  Don’t even get me started on them keeping their room clean or organized.  It also means that as a parent you are going to have to help them with organization.  Even with an older child, they may require your help in staying organized.  consequently, you should think through systems that can help your child stay organized.  This is particularly the case when is come to school.  You have to be the organizer.

The Advocate

Advocacy is a skill every ADHD parent role that each parent should master.  Advocating is something a parent must be able to do with their child’s teachers, school administrators, physicians and therapists.  It is a skill that affects many of the areas of a child’s life.  And advocating is an assertive, proactive skill.  The ADHD child needs an active parent.  Advocating is a strategic behavior.  It is the commitment to making sure that your child is receiving all the benefits due them in a given situation.  Advocating is the process of a parent making sure that their child has every chance to succeed.  Unfortunately, this is not something they can do for themselves.  However, you can help them greatly if you master the art of advocacy.

One of the things many therapists do with ADHD clients is skill building.   However, you have the opportunity to build your parenting skills as well.  You mastering these three roles will give your child a  greater opportunity to be successful and give you greater joy in your role as a parent.