A Hangman Spelling Nightmare

homework nightmare

Colin is a seven year old first grader who is displaying some inattentiveness, and recently I was able to help Colin and his mom with a homework nightmare. It was spelling - an online hangman game that had to be completed and submitted via the school's homework system. (At least there was no book to bring home - right?!) Anyhow, the particular problem Colin was having was a game of hangman. There were twenty words, and students could only guess incorrectly a few times before being penalized. So Colin had a sheet of words, and every time he got one correct, he was marking them off. … [Read more...]

How to Organize an ADHD Child

Books, homework, time, tasks, priorities, sports equipment, toys, clothes...Keeping organized is a hard task. It's a job our ADHD kids do not do well - and it's our job to teach them how. So - how do you organize an ADHD child? Share your hints in the comments below. Read Ten Steps to Organizing an ADHD Child … [Read more...]

Getting Organized with a Google Calendar

ADHD organizing -Google Calendar

Are you organized for the school year yet? Do you have your calendars, your color coded notebooks, your staging areas near the back door? We've talked quite a bit about getting organized by having a shared calendar. Lots of our problems with ADHD kids stem from them - and us - being disorganized, forgetting things, and so forth. Most of us have a big paper calendar in the kitchen, but we've discussed that there isn't a great way to sync things electronically from dad to mom to kid to kid - especially for those of us who don't have web enabled phones. Google has solved that for us. For … [Read more...]

How Do You Organize Your Time?

I'm working on rewriting the Moms To Do list on goaskmom.com, and I sort of got stuck on #2, Order, Order which talks about getting organized. The original post talks about how my husband and I use Palms to organize our busy households. Funny how the Palm - which was the cutting edge back then - now seems so dated. And it's amazing how we went from being totally dependent on a PDA (when's the last time you heard that term?) to not needing it at all.   Since our kids have started to drive, they basically keep their own schedules. And I work at home, so I've just been using the … [Read more...]

Getting Rid of Clutter

So you've made a resolution, and this year you're getting rid of clutter! You're going to eliminate the clutter! ADHD kids crave order, even if they don't act like it. If your home is in disarray, your children can't focus. If you haven't already, make it your New Year's resolution to clear a path - and clear the clutter! There are several great online products to help you de-clutter and organize your stuff. One of my favorite resources is Fly Lady. She'll nag via email, and help you organize your life step by step - with no charge - including getting rid of clutter! Another unique … [Read more...]

Organizing Kids for School Using Color

Color is a great way to help keep your child organized for school. Choose one color for each subject - like green (money) for math - and use that color for the notebook, folder, and book jacket. In the folder, place a supply of paper for that class, and take a matching highlighter or marker and make a bold line on the edge of the paper. If your child neglects to put their paper back into the correct folder, the colored mark will make it easier for the paper to be found in the bookbag jumble. Many elementary school teachers require a certain format for paper 'headings': Kayla … [Read more...]

Gifts of Time

Here's an organizing hint for mom or dad! Many stores are having major clearance sales at this time of year. Make it a habit to visit the clearance section each time you visit a store, and keep an eye out for items you will need for birthdays or (gasp!) even Christmas. Last week my husband came home with a shaving cream warmer he found for $5.00, and it is now stashed in our attic waiting for Father's Day. I found some great sweaters for next fall for almost nothing. The few extra minutes it takes us to see what's on clearance saves us lots of time - and … [Read more...]

Sometimes It’s Not My Problem

Yesterday, one of our sons was late to work. He neglected to follow the advice - no, the law - I have given him and his brothers from the time they were in Kindergarten. "Get your stuff out the night before." My son waited until one hour before he was supposed to start waiting tables to look for his work shirt. When he found it, it was in the bottom of the laundry with ink stains, and had to be washed, dried and ironed. He was highly frustrated, but had the grace to tell me, "It's not your problem." He's darn tootin' it wasn't my problem. I have told them until I'm blue in the face. Get out … [Read more...]

Organizing Homework – For Kids Who Lack The Gift of Organization

Keeping homework organized for school is such a major challenge for kids with ADHD. They lose it, mix it up, remember things that don't exist, ruin it, and are sure they put it "right there"...We've discovered a few top ideas that help even the worst ADHD offenders. Color Code - At the beginning of the year, each subject gets a color, and the notebook and folder for that subject stay the same throughout. Actually in our house, every year, math is green (for money), science is black (for dead things!), social studies is blue (for the world), and English is red (for frustration?). If you're … [Read more...]

Organizing an ADHD Child

I just created a Squidoo Lens with ten tips on how to keep your ADHD child organized. It could also be titled: "How I Kept My Sanity in the Chaos of Three ADHD Boys". Check it out here: http://www.squidoo.com/organizeADHD. Make sure you take a look at three of my favorite books on Organizing an ADHD Child. Help your kids to be more focused, organized, encouraged and successful! Visit Kayla Fay at http://www.adhd-inattentive.com. … [Read more...]