My Experience With Attention Deficit Disorder As a Parent

This was my personal experience with my son, and a stroll down parenting memory lane. The name in the article has been changed to protect his identity.

It was like I was sitting back and watching a horror movie...my son having to the best of my recollection, the third temper tantrum of the day.

A colossal of thoughts rapidly flashing through my mind, I mean "What have I done so abhorrently wrong as a parent?" It was at that moment that I ultimately came to the resolution to have Tyler checked out by a doctor. My husband agreed and supported the decision.

Each time my sister-in-law so subtly converged me about what she suspected, I depreciated the thought, I didn't want to acknowledge that attention deficit disorder may be the justification to it all. "Had I been in denial, or what?!"

From infancy, Tyler had been bustling with agitation. He was consistently active from the time he got up in the morning to the time he went to bed. I treasured the late evenings, nights were true serenity to me. And I admit this with sheer remorse, guilty as charged. Tyler slept well at night, and he had always been a good night baby. However, it was during the day that things became difficult, consequently with mom feeling overwhelmed, helpless, and exhausted.

From a mother's perspective, more importantly, my perspective, admitting this is a profound deformity. Our children should be a joy to be around, we should thoroughly enjoy our time with them.

Tyler was indeed properly diagnosed with the disorder in question. I guess you can say there was no more denial, not even an ounce of it, as the doctor that seen him was a specialist and recognized the signs from the moment we met. I trusted him, believed in him, followed his sound advice, and utilized some constructive counseling. With much relief, Tyler was finally a true gem to be around...after he was treated with medication.

Fast forward to 20 years later...

I ensured that Tyler took his medication rigorously from the time he failed kindergarten until a year before he graduated high school. Yes, he made it through school! Not with an A average, nonetheless, he graduated.

He's doing fine now with an exciting career as a carpenter. After all these years, I've subsequently came to the conclusion that I had done something right. Today, the connection between myself and my son is beyond proficient, as well as our relationship.

Ironically, I had found out something rather interesting as a result from the counseling. I had discovered that I had (Adult ADD). Unfortunately, the disorder was inherited from my father's side.

I realize that technology has evolved considerably, and ADD has become quite the controversial topic among other moms. Today, there are varied behavior modification alternatives to medication. Although, having said that, I don't have any regrets with how I handled the situation.

As a mom, I did the best I could. However, over the years, my mother-in-law had not consistently shown compliance. Her slightly impertinent thoughts, and words, for that matter, "Ah bull, boys will be boys. The famous words coming from, I guess you could say an old fashioned mother-in-law. I wish she could have shown just a little more support.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

Tammy is an Internet marketer, article marketer, and ghostwriter. You can find more parenting and grandparenting articles, tips, and more at Grandma's Home Blogger Place

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

A child who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) finds it very difficult to pay attention, and is easily distracted. They are also impulsive, and have seemingly endless energy. An ADHD child is often very talkative and fidgety, has a hard time taking turns, and can struggle socially.

ADHD children have a hard time staying with one task for any length of time, and have difficulty in a school structure; in fact ADHD behavior is most noticeable once a child has started school. The structure of a classroom setting can be extremely challenging for a child who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. They may have a hard time sitting at their desk, keeping their hands to themselves and completing assignments. Because an attention deficit hyperactive child is impulsive, they can say inappropriate things at inappropriate times. The ADHD child often struggles academically and is often are the child who is always in trouble. It is estimated that up to 5% of school age children suffer from ADHD.

Parental Guilt

Parents often feel guilty when they find out that their child suffers from ADHD, feeling that it they have somehow caused this disorder. But experts believe that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is brought on by biological causes and not from parenting styles.

Diagnosing ADHD

A parent who is concerned about their child's behavior should consult their physician, but they should not jump the gun in assuming their child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder because he can't pay attention in school. It is very important to follow through with a physical exam to rule out any other medical conditions which might be causing the behavior. His inability to pay attention in class may be caused by a range of other medical and treatable conditions such as an over-active or under-active thyroid, dyslexia or even chronic middle ear infections.

A diagnosis of ADHD is typically determined by a number of diagnostic tests given by a qualified physician.

Treating an ADHD Child

Although there is no cure for ADHD there are effective treatments. Many parents fear that an ADHD diagnosis means that they must frequently medicate their child with prescription drugs; but there are alternative ways to treat ADHD. Stimulant medication has been shown to be the most effective way to treat ADHD; but other treatments have been shown to significantly alter ADHD behaviors.

Many parents have found a significant improvement in their child's behavior when artificial sweeteners and flavoring were eliminated from their diet. Behavior modification has also been shown to be an effective way of treating ADHD, as well as counseling for both the child and the parents.

Seeking Support

Parents of ADHD children are often under an extreme amount of stress. Parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be extremely frustrating and exhausting. Getting support from family members and from ADHD parenting support groups can make the job of parenting an ADHD child less overwhelming.

Mary Boakyewaa is publisher and co-owner of http://www.child-development-guide.com -- a website for the development of children from birth to teens offering helpful tips and advice for parents, early year's professionals, and students.

Tips for Parents With ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

This article is dedicated to all those parents with ADHD who are just starting their journey to finding answers, along with those old hands who may have been at it for a while. The good news is that there a number of simple self help strategies? for parents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that can help them cope. The bad news is as of yet there are no magic bullets or miracle cures.

As one of the many parents with ADHD you may be able to reflect back on your childhood and find that indeed one, or both, of your parents had the condition. In fact, statistically speaking this has at least a 50 percent probability of being the case. Perhaps you can remember dear old dad constantly forgetting things or misplacing his car keys. Or perhaps mom, who struggled with her self esteem, couldn't quite get you to where you were going on time, and who had a tendency to leave projects half finished only to start another one without warning. Maybe you share some of these same characteristics, and quite possibly your children will share in some of the fun as well.

So if you have a few minutes why don't we jump right in to a few tips for making parents with ADHD lives a little easier.

*Clean up the mess: Organization by disorganization is the motto for most parent with ADHD, and disorganization is one of the ADHD characteristics that may get worse with age. Their houses and office areas generally are filled with piles of clutter that would overwhelm even the most proficient cleaning crew. Now is the time to clean it up by enlisting the help of a friend, family member, and if it is really, really, out of control hire a really patient professional cleaning crew.

*Provide yourself with a simple daily routine: With inattention and impulsivity reigning supreme there is little chance that parents with ADHD can just wing it effectively. Just too many distractions and too little time! By providing yourself with an outline for each day, along with a little extra time to make it happen, you will be taking a giant step to alleviating many of the self imposed daily pressures of life. One additional though, make it simple because the more you complicate it the more you will be opening the door for your ADHD symptoms to creep in and muck it up.

*Write down or record your thoughts: The mind of an ADHD person is like a blender churning out zillions of fleeting thoughts in record time. Have you thought of something you should do and just a few minutes later not be able to remember what is was? Well welcome to the world of the ADHD mind. To overcome this you should keep a note pad, along with multiple pencils handy in multiple designated areas of your home, along with one in your car. One should be kept in the kitchen right alongside the calendar to keep track of daily events, another in your home office area, and still another in bathroom since many of our more unique thoughts can materialize in this area.

*Keep a positive attitude: In my opinion one of the most dangerous secondary symptoms of attention deficit disorder is low self esteem. This can unravel into a full blow case of depression if one is not careful. The first rule of defeating a negative attitude for ADHD parents is focus on what you can do rather than what you can't do. Remember being ADHD is not all bad with some of the most brilliant minds in history having the condition. You may have more energy than every else (though it may not seem like it), you may be braver the average person not afraid to take risk, and you may be more creative with great ideas constantly flowing through your mind.

Additionally, if you are constantly focusing on the negative, your children will adopt the same attitude, especially if they are struggling with the same ADHD characteristics that are causing your negativity.

What else? Some ADHD parents may feel as if they need a little bit of extra help to wrestle this mental monster to the ground and have found that help in the form of homeopathic natural remedies for ADHD. These formulas have been shown to be quite effective and void of the serious side effects so often associated with conventional prescription ADHD medications.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural remedies for better health visit Purchase Remedies.com

ADHD Parenting - Should Parents Discipline Kids With Attention Deficit Disorder Differently?

ADHD parenting presents different challenges than raising kids who do not have this disorder. While you do not want to hold your child responsible for tasks beyond his means, you don't want to enable him either or make him a victim of his disorder. In this article, you'll learn five tips for disciplining kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD Parenting: 5 Top Discipline Tips

First, lets talk about the word "discipline." The word comes from the Latin word "discipulus" which means "learner" or "to become a disciple of." What this means is that you should always strive to teach values, rather than punish your child.

1. Understand what your child is capable of and what is beyond his current abilities. A basic understanding of child development can help, but also take the time to learn the areas in which your child seems to struggle most. Rather than punishing him for behaving in a way that he is currently unable to, avoid situations that you know will be a set up for inappropriate behavior. Teach him what you want him to do, rather than yelling at him for what he did wrong. This distinction is subtle, but important.

2. Parenting kids with ADHD requires firm and consistent discipline. When you take away a privilege, don't give it back without having your child do something to earn it. Don't let your child negotiate his way out punishments because then he will believe that everything is negotiable. If your child is chronically disrespectful or unusually defiant, then you will need to learn some new ADHD parenting skills that are also very effective with kids who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These are skills that your parents did not teach you. Don't wait. Do it now. Defiant behavior does not get better on its own.

3. Focus on who your child is, rather than his performance. Children who start to feel like they are only valued for doing well on homework, tests, chores and in sports are much more likely to give up or feel bad about themselves when they fail to perform to expectations. Your child's sense of self-worth should be tied to the fact that he is a whole human being, rather than how he does on a particular task. Although you may not always be able to give him an "attaboy," you can give him encouragement and ask him what he learned from the experience.

4. Don't try to be a friend, instead, take the high road and be the parent. Being a parent is tough. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions, set the limits, take away privileges or insist that your child do something that you know is in his best interests. Parents who shirk these responsibilities because they want their kids to like them, usually end up with teens who neither like nor respect them because they failed to do the tough work of being a parent.

5. Know when to say when. Some things just aren't worth fighting over. Sometimes, it is better to let it go, especially if your child has had an unusually tough day and could just be acting out due to frustration or overwhelm. That said, there are no excuses for abusive behavior. Do not let the label of "ADHD child" be an excuse for mean-spirited behavior.

ADHD parenting is a challenge, but you are up to it. In addition to following the tips in this article, make sure to take some time out for yourself to unwind and rejuvenate every day, so you'll be able to face the challenges that will inevitably come tomorrow.

Laura Ramirez is an award-winning author who publishes findings on topics related to ADHD. She reviews ADHD parenting programs that teach simple techniques to parents that work with kids with behavioral issues.

She is also the award-winning author of the parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which teaches parents how to raise kids to develop their strengths and lead fulfilling, productive lives.

ADHD Parenting - Should Parents Discipline Kids With Attention Deficit Disorder Differently?

ADHD parenting presents different challenges than raising kids who do not have this disorder. While you do not want to hold your child responsible for tasks beyond his means, you don't want to enable him either or make him a victim of his disorder. In this article, you'll learn five tips for disciplining kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD Parenting: 5 Top Discipline Tips

First, lets talk about the word "discipline." The word comes from the Latin word "discipulus" which means "learner" or "to become a disciple of." What this means is that you should always strive to teach values, rather than punish your child.

1. Understand what your child is capable of and what is beyond his current abilities. A basic understanding of child development can help, but also take the time to learn the areas in which your child seems to struggle most. Rather than punishing him for behaving in a way that he is currently unable to, avoid situations that you know will be a set up for inappropriate behavior. Teach him what you want him to do, rather than yelling at him for what he did wrong. This distinction is subtle, but important.

2. Parenting kids with ADHD requires firm and consistent discipline. When you take away a privilege, don't give it back without having your child do something to earn it. Don't let your child negotiate his way out punishments because then he will believe that everything is negotiable. If your child is chronically disrespectful or unusually defiant, then you will need to learn some new ADHD parenting skills that are also very effective with kids who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These are skills that your parents did not teach you. Don't wait. Do it now. Defiant behavior does not get better on its own.

3. Focus on who your child is, rather than his performance. Children who start to feel like they are only valued for doing well on homework, tests, chores and in sports are much more likely to give up or feel bad about themselves when they fail to perform to expectations. Your child's sense of self-worth should be tied to the fact that he is a whole human being, rather than how he does on a particular task. Although you may not always be able to give him an "attaboy," you can give him encouragement and ask him what he learned from the experience.

4. Don't try to be a friend, instead, take the high road and be the parent. Being a parent is tough. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions, set the limits, take away privileges or insist that your child do something that you know is in his best interests. Parents who shirk these responsibilities because they want their kids to like them, usually end up with teens who neither like nor respect them because they failed to do the tough work of being a parent.

5. Know when to say when. Some things just aren't worth fighting over. Sometimes, it is better to let it go, especially if your child has had an unusually tough day and could just be acting out due to frustration or overwhelm. That said, there are no excuses for abusive behavior. Do not let the label of "ADHD child" be an excuse for mean-spirited behavior.

ADHD parenting is a challenge, but you are up to it. In addition to following the tips in this article, make sure to take some time out for yourself to unwind and rejuvenate every day, so you'll be able to face the challenges that will inevitably come tomorrow.

Laura Ramirez is an award-winning author who publishes findings on topics related to ADHD. She reviews ADHD parenting programs that teach simple techniques to parents that work with kids with behavioral issues.

She is also the award-winning author of the parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which teaches parents how to raise kids to develop their strengths and lead fulfilling, productive lives.