How to Deal With a Child With ADHD As a Parent


Bad behaviour is incredibly wearing for parents and teachers – it’s rarely malicious but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. It can be extremely unrewarding to parent and teachers alike. Remember that you only have to spend the working shift with the difficult child -parents have to live with him permanently. These difficulties often cause parents to feel very alone.

As mornings are usually particularly difficult for a child with ADHD and his family, with problems and tantrums getting him up, dressed and ready for school, and sometimes school refusal because of the struggles he is having in class, by the time he has arrived at school there may have been a lot of family stress. The child may well be hyped up or upset and need some time to calm down before facing the challenges of the school day.

Child With ADHD

Don’t assume that the problems must be due to inadequate parenting. However, family dysfunction, as a consequence of living with a child with severe ADHD, is often not appreciated and can be seen as the cause of the child’s problems. If you are aware of the reality of suffering from and living with ADHD you will be better able to provide effective and sensitive support and understanding to the pupil and parents. Your strategies to help the child will have a much greater chance of success.

Because those with ADHD look no different and have a hidden handicap some people make judgments, such as, ‘All he needs is a good hiding/a kick up the pants. I wouldn’t let my child behave like that,’ without understanding the reality of living with the child.

Don’t forget that there are often other children in the family with whom the parents have no such problem. The child with ADHD has been different from the start and stands out as different from siblings and peers at all stages of development.

Recognize that parents often dread going to school in case there has been another disaster – there usually has! – and feel blamed as poor parents and often blame

themselves. Try to promote a spirit of cooperation and understanding between you and the parents by keeping them informed using regular emails or a home-school diary. You both have the child’s best interests at heart and can help each other by sharing information and ideas. Remember, parents usually know their child very well and may well be struggling at home with him as much as you are at school. Ask them which strategies they have found helpful with their child.

Filed Under: Family & Relationships

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About the Author: Roberta Southworth is a psychiatrist by profession. She likes to help out people by writing informative tips on how people can to solve their family and relationship issues. She is currently staying in Ireland. She has 5 years of couple counseling experience.

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