Real parent training, with coaching to make it stick!
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
The foundation of modern-day coaching has its roots in the world of acting. Ironic, in a way, that such an authentic form of communication is like a spin-off from the world of make-believe. But to pretend authentically – that is, to act well – requires a depth of understanding, and clear communication. Since that’s what... read more
I have a friend who is new to the whole special education process. Her daughter is turning 6 and she just got an ADHD diagnosis. She was completely overwhelmed by terms like “504,” “accommodations,” and “IEP process.” As a mom of three boys with ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning issues –challenges that affect their ability... read more
You should never start a sentence with the word “you.” Now, notice what happens for you when you read that sentence. Did you feel a tad defensive? Perhaps, a bit accused? Amazing how we can feel guilty or defensive when we haven’t even done anything wrong! Expressions like “you should,” “you don’t” or “you make... read more
I remember playing a hiding game with my kids when they were little. They would cover their eyes, and “hide” from me. They were convinced that if they couldn’t see me, then the opposite was true. How often, as a parent of an ADHD kid, do you wish that you could make your situation disappear... read more
Our kids don’t miss a trick – they watch everything we do. Children learn more from what we do than from what we say. We’d like to believe that is not true. We’d like to convince ourselves that our words matter more than our actions. It would be much easier to live by the adage,... read more
How often do we make agreements with our kids, only to have them say, “You never told me!” We didn’t talk about that!” The best solution for this situation is preventative: Put it in writing. As I approach age 50, I admit that my brain is a little “squishier” than it used to be. There... read more
Sometimes the greatest teachers do not know how best to motivate or support ADHD kids, despite their best efforts. It’s gotta be frustrating for them. They are trying to work with a child in the way that makes sense to them, and in certain situations, they may even feel like the child – and the... read more
Imaginary conversations killed our marriage … almost. During our first decade as parents, so many of the ‘conversations’ Elaine and I had about expectations around parenting were imaginary. They never took place out loud. The truth is that when Elaine tried to talk to me about what our kids needed and what we needed to... read more