New Years Resolutions for Parents of Children with ADHD

I am not a big believer in making New Years resolutions. However, in terms of managing children with ADHD, any excuse that may help these children to become more accountable is a positive change. What New Year’s resolutions or changes can parents make that will impact their child with ADHD in a positive way?  The following New Year’s resolution is vital to the other changes: It is imperative that you have a conversation with your child concerning all of the parameters of this new regimen. In that way, he will be on board before he begins, which will reduce arguments, temper tantrums and deals.

1.      Insist that the child does his homework soon after arriving home from school. In that way, any medicine that he is taking will still be effective.

2.      As the child does his homework, give him two checklists to complete:

a.       Checklist 1. Design this checklist in five minute increments so that the child can check off whether or not he has been paying attention during those times-(If he has not gotten any homework done, then clearly, he has not been paying adequate attention.)

b.      Checklist 2. Design this checklist according to the homework the child needs to complete. Divide each task into several parts. In that way, the child will feel more optimistic regarding completing his homework, which will lead him to feeling more successful in terms of his academic achievement.

3.      Make sure that the child takes a break from his homework every fifteen minutes. However, before you agree to permit the child to have a break, make sure that he understands that he will have to return to his homework until it is completed, without any negotiations for more time.

There is simply no substitute for a child with ADHD to become self-regulated and accountable. In my next blog entry, I will discuss ways to help the child with ADHD to plan in such a way that he always is prepared in terms of his schoolwork.