Helicopter parenting?

Have you been accused (by yourself or others) of “helicopter parenting”?

Hovering over your child or micro-managing things for him/her?

It is common for parents of kids with AD/HD to be more closely involved in managing school work, coordinating schedules, prompting on chores, reminding… and the like.

Our kids’ brains just don’t perform those “executive functioning” skills as easily or as early many other kids’.

At the same time, we do want our kids to develop those skills and move toward independent self-management over time.

But, if we expect too much all at once, they may crash, with all the feelings of failure that entails.

How do we find the balance?

  • The trick lies in providing support while gradually teaching our kids the skills for managing homework, schedules, chores, and so forth. 
  • We teach through modeling, explaining, and handing over to them just one tiny piece of a skill at a time so they can experience success by never having to tackle too much at once. 
  • Then, we build on this success by handing over the next tiny piece of the skill, supervising less and less over time. 
  • Bit by bit, we will see our children’s abilities grow. 
  • And eventually – hopefully in time to leave the “nest” – our children will be ready to fly!

Some resources to guide you in the process of teaching your child skills for success:

Younger children: Smart but Scattered

Middle school: Late, Lost and Unprepared

High school: Ready for Take-Off

If you would like support in finding balance in parenting your child with AD/HD, consider coaching. Call or email today to set up a no-cost, no-commitment introductory session: www.lizahmann.com

Posted in ADD, ADHD, child, family, high school, parent, teen

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