Managing the ADD/ADHD Child in Public
It’s easy to just take your child to school and leave her home every time you want to do something useful or relax. But spending time with your ADD/ADHD child is an investment, and if you know or care to pick up something about ADD/ADHD behavior management, you might even end up having a good time with her. Here are some tips from a parent who has been there…1. Go to Green Areas
You don’t need to be a scientist to know that areas with lots of greenery seem to calm ADHD children down, though scientific studies have shown this to be true. If you have a proper park or zoo nearby – not just a few square meters of grass surrounded by concrete – go there everyday with your kids (but even the patch of grass is better than nothing). If the park or zoo or picnic area is more than an hour’s drive away, go at least once a week.
These places are probably the only areas ADHD children can be their natural selves without having others get irritated with them. Some ADHD adults remember times trekking or fishing with their parents as the only time they got to bond with them.
2. Let Them Move
Don’t hold her hands too tight – let her hold your hand instead. Teach her what she can touch and what she should not. She can pick up and examine things at most shops, but she should be careful not to damage them.
Keep explaining – before you start, when you are out – the importance of children and parents staying together when you go out together. If she wants to let go of your hand, allow her, but tell her to stay where you can keep an eye on her.
3. When She is Unmanageable, Take her out and Enforce Consequences
If she is acting out in a public place, take her out so she does not disturb others, and enforce consequences. If she was at a place she likes, one consequence may be not taking her there any more. If she was acting out because she does not like where she was, try to find out why she does not like it. We need to respect children’s feelings – if she does not like to go to a playgroup where the others tease her, for example, you need to know about it and deal with it.
With practice, you and your child can have a good time together on your outings – most of the time! But the joys you get are worth the pain, and you must take out your ADD/ADHD children with you whenever possible.
For more information on proven, scientific, and natural ways to succeed in spite of your ADD/ADHD without medicines visit www.3stepsadd.com/premium today. Get more information regarding ADD/ADHD.
