Real parent training, with coaching to make it stick!
In Part 1 of this blog, I talked about the first step in Managing Morning Mania – managing yourself. In every situation, we have the choice about how we want to respond. It can be powerful to realize how those choices impact how we handle the situation. Part 2: Manage your Kid So even though... read more
Emotions can run rampant in the ADHD household. Tempers flare for no apparent reason, feelings are hurt, and the entire family dynamic can quickly end up in a hot mess. Add to this the natural tendency that most of us have to deflect responsibility, and everyone is getting blamed for everything that happens to everyone... read more
I have a kid who would come home every day and say he didn’t have any homework. He didn’t really seem to know what was going on in school, or how it linked to his assignments. He acted as if his part of school was over because he went, survived, and now he was home.... read more
I did not know what ADHD was, or that it was the likely cause of my forgetfulness, my being “scattered, smothered, and covered,” until about 16 years ago. I did not understand how my untreated ADHD had contributed to unfulfilled dreams, challenged relationships, problems with finances, and issues with addiction. Creating Intensity I struggle with... read more
Elaine’s self care tip this week is about the importance of parents paying attention to their own happiness. Its counter to how we often behave, but is a huge help for parents and for kids. A great place to start with this is setting clear boundaries. Boundaries are guidelines that clarify how we want people to... read more
It’s frustrating when your kids leave their things lying around. It takes a lot of cajoling, and sometimes anger, to get the house picked up — or not. Despite all of your encouragement, threats, and prodding, this scenario repeats itself daily. When the same problem happens over and over again, something isn’t working. ADHD complicates... read more
Would you like your kids to be more responsible and make better choices? Would you like them to be less oppositional? Do you want to enjoy parenting again? Finding ways to encourage responsibility in children diagnosed with ADHD can be challenging. This article will outline ten strategies to help you empower your children and teens,... read more
Kids with ADHD are constantly bombarded with demands that put them in overdrive. They wonder why school is so hard—so frustrating—so maddening. Depending on the research, anywhere from 30-50% of these kids also have specific learning disabilities (SLD) in addition to ADHD. While many may know they “have it,” most do not have a good... read more
I often hear parents ask. “Is it the ADHD or is it something else?” I can relate, because sometimes I find myself asking the same question. We call that “something else”: lazy pre-teen, normal 2nd grader, too much sugar, not enough sleep, just a boy. While I identify with the question, and the underlying desire... read more
In a discussion about late afternoon mood “crashes” and emotional management, my client wondered aloud, “But I thought when she went on medication it would make things easy for her. Isn’t that the point?” Sometimes, my clients raise questions or share stories that help me identify where parents might need more information or understanding. They... read more