Managing High Energy: 5 Tips for Parents of Kids with ADHD
Running, twirling, singing, and dancing! Our little ones with ADHD don’t always follow the rules but their fun energy is a special quality. Although ADHD has been stigmatized by others, our children can do so much with their bright light. As parents our job is to educate ourselves and learn how our child can live with ADHD in a society that isn’t always gentle.
Here are five ways you can support your child with ADHD:
Give praise and rewards when rules are followed
Children with ADHD have a lot of energy and they may struggle to complete simple everyday tasks. It is important to create a routine and stay consistent. When tasks are completed, give your little one positive reinforcement. By simply saying, “great job” or “I’m proud of you,” you are giving your child the support they need.
Image of Wepa books
Image of Wepa book opened to dancing page
Encourage exercise
Take your little one outside! Walking, running, jumping, and visiting the local park are great ways to relieve some of that bursting energy. If you can’t make it outside, playing music and dancing around is always great. Encourage your child, create some rules, and dance for 10-minutes. Releasing energy with your child creates a safe space for them.
Establish healthy habits
Between the chaos of everyday life, it is always important to create healthy habits for your child. Regulate sleep patterns, create routines around homework and chores, and encourage out loud thinking. Their ADHD is a superpower, and these healthy habits will help them succeed and feel supported.
Help your child build relationships
While creating healthy habits at home is important, it is also vital for your little one to maintain healthy friendships. Social skills are a huge part of your child’s personality and playing with friends can help them. They can learn about sharing and boundaries when interacting with others. Their energy can match another child’s and they can develop a great relationship that benefits them both.
Educate yourself
Learning about our little one’s special energy is a lifelong journey. Reading and educating ourselves is always going to benefit our child. By learning more about ADHD we can help when advocating for our child at school, the playground, and in other social settings. The more we know, the better support system we can be.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a brain disorder that affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior; and while these tips are helpful, it is always important to consult with your child’s doctor.
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Her mom thinks she is too messy; her teachers think she is too loud. But Abuela says that’s nonsense. Mia Emilia Lucia Renata simply has too much wepa! In this case, wepa is a metaphor for Mia’s fire, energy, and excitement, or what is better known medically as ADHD. Like ADHD, Mia is often misunderstood and is encouraged to tame her personality. Mia tries to bottle up her wepa, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t contain it. Finally, with a bit of inspiration from Abuela and her friends, Mia discovers the perfect place to express her wepa. A place where her wepa is celebrated and isn’t too much.
A little boy goes on a journey to discover a full range of emotions, from feelings of great enthusiasm and happiness to those of sorrow and anger. My mind is a mountain is a metaphor for the heights a mind can reach in powerfully handling all emotions from the lowest of the lows to the highest of the highest - and everything in between.
No! No! NO! There are big emotions inside all of us - and saying "no" holds the most emotions of all. The self-proclaimed No Boy is emotionally fickle, and his mom is nothing but understanding. His actions will teach him that it is more than ok to say no and that sometimes saying no has all the answers.
