Our school recently sent home an email asking parents to list the skills that were important for a child to know before graduating from high school - and not just academic things. Among other things, I listed: balancing a checkbook, changing a diaper, basic car/home maintenance, filling out a tax return. I started early teaching my boys life skills. At age three, they could make a sandwich. At five, they could use the stove - with supervision. When they were in 5th grade, they were introduced to the iron without supervision. My husband has taught our boys how to change the oil and jumpstart a … [Read more...]
Getting An ADHD Child Started
December 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In your quest toward homework independence, your child might just need a jump start. When she begins a subject, do the first problem or two with her, or help write that first sentence, or have her read the first paragraph aloud. It's like riding a bike - sometimes you just need a push-off. Just a little hint to get you started. Visit our website! Help your kids to be more focused, organized, encouraged and successful! Visit Kayla Fay at http://www.adhd-inattentive.com. … [Read more...]
Those Stress Balls for ADHD are…Balls
December 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Another mom wrote: "My son has inattentive ADHD. His teacher at school has had success with the ADHD kids in her room handling stress balls that they can manipulate while doing their work or thinking. Unfortunately the stress balls are just that...balls that lend themselves well to being thrown. Do you have any tips or advice on what works well or better than stress balls and where to find such items?" My first thought was to get a stress ball attached to a keychain so you could tether it to the desk, or at least a non-rolling squishy. I then remembered a teacher telling how she attached … [Read more...]
I Get By With a Little Help from My Mom
December 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A reader writes, "It is so good to know I am not the only mom of an ADD child who sometimes get exasperated with their lack of following process (with predictable chaotic results)! But there are those rewarding moments. This morning, I took time off work to go with my son to the high school counselor's office to ensure that he was signed up for the mandatory classes he needed for next trimester. He argued with me all the way to school, that I was treating him like a 5 year old, that he was completely on top of this, that he had already coordinated. I calmly replied - good, if that's … [Read more...]
Sometimes It’s Not My Problem
December 8, 2008 By 1 Comment
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...]
AD/HD Fun, Fun, Fun
December 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Older children who have come to terms with their ADHD often wear it like a badge. Or a t-shirt. Check out the talent on this wonderful YouTube video - and notice the t-shirt! (You can buy that shirt on Amazon.com.) This ADHD kid is embracing life, including his ADHD... And take a look at this Facebook status from our son Ron...and the ensuing comments: "Ron wonders why God gave him add. 3:21pm - 8 Comments" CR at 4:14pm November 18: so that you and i could be friends! thats why! Ron at 4:17pm November 18: lol that's reasonable hahaha ;) KL at 4:31pm November 18: because life would … [Read more...]
Books for Adults with ADHD
November 21, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Here are some great books for Adults with ADHD. Ask for them on your Christmas list! ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life - A good response to the needs of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It deals directly and exclusively with the greatest challenge that adults with ADHD face: the problem of disorganization. Moms with ADD: A Self-Help Manual - Chapters on juggling, dealing with school, work, and holidays. Some really good ideas are presented, but even with all the strategies included, I found this book hard to read. It seems to try a bit to hard. Out of the … [Read more...]
Missing the Basics
November 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Teachers and parents often work so diligently on a skill with a child that the child appears to 'get' it. Sometimes, however, the understanding is only temporary. This could be that the material is so fresh in their minds that they are able to perform well on a test. But the knowledge hasn't 'taken root', and is soon forgotten. Keep an eye on your child as school progresses. If she is having trouble with mental math, maybe she passed - but never fully understood her basic math facts. If he can't conjugate French verbs, check and see if he really understood the basic grammar taught in grade … [Read more...]
Check Your Calendar – Busy Times Ahead
November 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
With Christmas coming, it's a good idea to start eyeing your calendar now. Even without the busy-ness of the Holiday Season, there are days in the week that are more busy than others, because of sports or Scouts or church or music lessons or whatever. Wednesdays are always slam full at our house. Keep this in mind when scheduling appointments. Try to sandwich the full days in between two days that are less busy. On these days, try to work ahead a bit in homework. If you have a project coming up, and you're trying to do a little bit each day, leave that 'busy' day out of the schedule. On those … [Read more...]
