| Not a day goes by when I don't hear, from one my | | | | Consider the things you expect from your child. It |
| parents that I consult with, about how difficult things are | | | | doesn't matter how trivial or how important a task it is |
| with getting their children to follow through on | | | | to you, just get something in mind. Now, once you are |
| something. The situations vary, but the underlying | | | | clear about a certain task, we are going to figure out |
| frustration and process is always the same. Consider | | | | how to achieve the goal. Keep in mind that a child with |
| these ADHD challenges for a moment: | | | | ADHD will need different tools and supports to get the |
| | | | same things done. |
| 1. Getting your child up in the morning | | | | Take the morning routine for instance. It's one of the |
| 2. Having them complete their homework | | | | most frequently discussed topics in my office. A lot of |
| 3. Getting them to clean their room | | | | parents expect their children to get up, get out of bed, |
| 4. Taking on greater responsibility | | | | make their bed, pick up their room, brush their teeth, |
| 5. Not arguing with every little request | | | | shower, get dressed for school, come downstairs, and |
| I could go on and on with this list, but you know what | | | | so on... |
| it's like. You are living with it every single day. I know | | | | Reasonable, right? |
| you are frustrated, and I know that at this point, you | | | | Well, let's adjust this expectation a little bit. While it's |
| are likely very skeptical about whether or not things | | | | totally reasonable for an adult to think this way, and |
| can or will change. You are skeptical about whether or | | | | accomplish these tasks, this can be very |
| not your child with ADHD can actually accomplish | | | | overwhelming for a child with ADHD, particularly with |
| some of these things. | | | | so many demands. |
| I Can Tell You That Change Is Possible... | | | | What I'd like you to do instead, is focus on one or two |
| But I would rather show you it is possible, and let you | | | | things. That's it! Get those one or two things in focus, |
| experience that success and celebration for yourself. | | | | and then you can build in the rest. |
| It's just not enough to hear from someone that change | | | | The key to setting reasonable goals is to break them |
| is possible. Not even close. You need to experience it | | | | up into manageable pieces, not for you, but your child. |
| for yourself, so that you can feel the energy and | | | | Brought to you by Dr. Rory Stern & |
| rewards from your efforts. | | | | ADHDFamilyOnline. |
| Here's what I am going to ask you to do. | | | | |