Christianity.com - Parenting an AD/HD child is not easy, but it is rewarding when we see our children addressing their own needs and reaching goals. These 16 parenting tips give us strategies to help us help our AD/HD children manage their worlds.

Parenting an AD/HD child can be a frustrating experience at times. It can also be rewarding if you understand how to help your child by addressing his or her needs.

Follow these parenting tips, and life will go a lot smoother for you and your child:

• Give specific detail regarding expectations. For example, “clean your room” means pick up all toys, make your bed and put clothes away. Chore charts are helpful. Daily routine schedules can be posted.
  
• For young children, you can use pictures and symbols instead of writing words. Regularly review written consequences and rewards.
  
• Spell out the specific steps it takes to complete a task. For example, “put your things away after school” means hang your backpack on the hook, put your lunchbox by the sink and take your books to your room.
  
• Designate toy boxes, shelves, backpacks or whatever helps to get the child organized. Have a place where things are stored so the child can get into the routine of organizing and cleaning up.
  
• It’s hard for AD/HD kids to pay attention to time. They often need prompts.
  
• Keep activities as predictable and consistent as possible. When there is a change, talk about it ahead of time if possible.
  
• Move them away from windows, TVs, computer screens, etc.
  
• Work on this as a goal. For example, organize his or her backpack, clothes and books the night before school. Anticipate changes in the day, and plan how they will be handled.
  
• You can never overdo this.
  
• This is important because AD/HD kids often forget what happened.
  
• Give a short break after school, a snack and then tackle the homework and get it finished.
  
• When stimulation is high, a retreat to his or her room helps.
  
• It’s good to limit friends to one or two at a time. You may want to eavesdrop occasionally to hear how things are going. Reinforce good social skills and peer relationships.
  
• You can role-play situations and practice how to handle them. Then have your kids give you a report on how well the practiced strategy worked in dealing with other people.
  
• Ask God to heal, help and be with your children as they walk through life. Encourage your children to call on God for help as well.

Dr. Mintle – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years in psychotherapy practice.

For more articles by Dr. Linda Mintle visit www.drlindahelps.com.

E-mail Dr. Linda with your questions and concerns.