The more I read the more I am amazed, at the symptoms that was there and I didn't see them. Or maybe I just didn't want to see them. Because I hated the thought of her being on medicine to control it. But I realize now just how frustrating her life must be to her. To jump from one activity to another without really realizing it. Then there's the clutterness of her room. It seems like I can clean it one morning and by that night it's a total wreck again. Simply because she may drag out her Barbie's to play with them, and something catches her eye on the TV and she completely forgets about the Barbie's. Then she sees something on her TV stand and she pulls it down and starts playing with it. So by bedtime there's a total mess all over the floor. Of all the symptoms that one has to be one of her worse. That and the whining, girls whine, and boys get mad. When you are parenting a child with ADHD, you are parenting a child who requires more patience, greater supervision, increased structure, and more creative limit setting and discipline. Add to the mix a sibling or two and a parent can quickly become overwhelmed and exhausted.
But you have to remember the three "C's".
1. Clarity of Expectations
Keep rules and expectations simple, concise and clear. Make sure they are easily understood by the child.
2. Consistency
Follow through with consequences in a consistent manner.
3. Calmness
Approach situations calmly. Take a deep breath and make sure you are in control. Take a brief “time-out” if you need to get a better hold over your emotions. Children are especially sensitive if we lose our temper. A calm approach is most effective and won’t overstimulate the child or escalate the situation.
I found a great website with a lot of information http://add.about.com/
Plan on reading more and more about it.
Will keep you up to date as how it is going here at home.
