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...]
