Quote of the Day: "The most important thing in any relationship
is not what you get but what you give." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Holiday ADHD Help Tips: Ahhh, the holidays - happiness, warmth,
family togetherness, peace, joy…That is the goal, but try
matching that with the reality of holidays with an Attention
Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. The
holidays can be especially taxing on the Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity child. There are too many sweets, broken routines
and over-stimulation, disarray and excess at every turn of the
bend. This, in turn, can make the holidays especially taxing on
the parents of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity children. Today
marks the final countdown to Christmas, with only 10 days to go.
There is much to do, not enough time and children are bursting
with anticipation. Below are a number of quick holiday ADHD help
tips to help take the edge off holiday stress and chaos. Use
these holiday ADHD help tips to better your chances of surviving
and enjoying this holiday season with your Attention Deficit and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child.
Holiday ADHD
Help Tip #1: Set realistic goals for this holiday. This holiday
season is not going to be your "Best Christmas Ever." In fact,
it won't elevate to that status until a few years has passed!
Take plenty of pictures so that you can remember this "Best
Christmas Ever" when it becomes just that.
Holiday ADHD Help
Tip #2: Prioritize the "To Do" list. Make a list of everything
that still needs to get done and prioritize the most important.
Start with the most important and work your way down the list.
Wrapping presents is high on the list so do that now instead of
waiting until the wee hours of Christmas Eve. What does not get
done by the morning Dec. 24 does not get done. Place taking care
of yourself as a high priority on that list. An overtired and
stressed parent produces anxiety in the household. Getting
enough sleep, watching your diet, taking time to exercise and
spending a few extra minutes in a hot shower will make for a
more calm household, which will in turn take stress off your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #3: Avoid last-minute shopping
trips with your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child, if possible. Crowded malls and
harried shoppers can tax even the most patient of adults. It can
be disastrous for the Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child. If you must take your child along,
get in and get out as quickly as possible. Go over the expected
rules before you find your parking space and have a reward
established beforehand to encourage cooperation and suitable
behavior from your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child. Think about buying gift cards that
you can order online for the people that you still need to buy
presents for.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #4: Stick as close to your
regular routine as possible. Attention Deficit and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder children thrive on schedules and
routines. December is not a month known for schedules and
routines. That said, make an extra effort to tuck your Attention
Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child in at
the same time every night. Make sure meals are eaten at the same
time. Avoid last-minute changes that could knock your child off
kilter. Routine changes are inevitable in December. To help your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child adjust to this flurry of extra activities, write down a
holiday schedule for your Attention Deficit and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child that includes school
parties, family get-togethers and any other activities outside
the normal routine. On this schedule, remember to write in
family time.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #5: Involve your Attention
Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child in
preparations. If you still have baking to do, hand your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child the cookie press and watch him go. Give your child the job
of addressing the last minute holiday cards. Let your children
help wrap presents for others. The presents may not look perfect
but few people would mind the tape encrusted packages, nor will
you need to tell them you received help! Though these activities
will likely go quicker without the "help," the help create time
for the family to spend together. And, it will help your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child burn off extra energy.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #6:
Maintain a healthy diet and limit sugar consumption throughout
the holidays. Start each day with a healthy and solid breakfast,
with healthy snacks in between meals. Offer celery sticks with
peanut butter, carrots, crackers and cheese or fresh fruits to
curb hunger and keep your child from filling up on unhealthy
snacks and sweets. Parents may find difficulty keeping all
sweets away from their Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child during the holiday season. If your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child does overdo it on the sweets, make sure you balance the
splurge with solid, whole foods to take the edge off the sugar.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #7: Give a brush up lesson of rules and
expectations when attending holiday functions. If you plan to
attend or host a party or holiday get together, spend time
beforehand reminding your Attention Deficit and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child of appropriate behavior.
Remind them to say their "Please" and "Thank yous," explain that
roughhousing and wildness will take away from everyone’s
enjoyment. Outline rewards for positive behavior and the
consequences of infractions but do not make hollow threats of
Santa withholding presents. Establish a fallback plan for when
or if your child becomes over-stimulated. You might have a
sitter on standby, or a quiet place in the house for retreat. _
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #8: Expect the worst and hope to be
pleasantly surprised. In this hectic rush of free-fall flurry,
much can go wrong. Expect it. After a day of unwrapping presents
and eating cookies, your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child may wallop his cousin or throw the
temper tantrum of the century. Know that this is a possibility
and cross your fingers but do not be terrible surprised if your
child acts up. Be prepared to make a quick exit if your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child cannot get himself under control.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip
#9: Take time unwrapping presents. Unwrapping a pile of presents
in one setting can over-stimulate your Attention Deficit and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. Encourage your
child to slow down and play with a few toys in between presents.
Withhold a couple big presents for after breakfast to keep the
thrill alive. Extending the unwrapping will not only help with
over-stimulation, but it will also help with holiday letdown.
Many children feel disappointment after waiting so long for this
special day, only to have it finish in a matter of minutes. _
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #10: Prepare well for the extended family
get-together. Most people love their siblings and parents dearly
but let's face it, throwing everyone together for this once or
twice yearly gather can cause stress. Parenting insecurities
(and what parent of an Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child doesn't have them from time to
time?) only compound, especially if your always-hyper child gets
in a fray with the "perfect" cousin. The commotion and noise
level of so many people in one place added with a wild mix of
foods and beverages only add to the havoc. Prepare well for this
event. Map out a place for your child to escape if he becomes
over stimulated. Be ready to leave early if your child cannot
settle down. Bring books, movies and a crafts to occupy your
Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
child. While together with your family, remember to brag up your
child while he is within earshot. This self-esteem booster that
will help your child behave better in the present. _ Holiday
ADHD Help Tip #11: Prepare well for travel as well. If travel
plans are on your holiday schedule, consider giving a few
travel-related gifts to your Attention Deficit and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder child. A VCR that plugs into the
car is probably one of the best gift ideas for saving parent
sanity if your budget can afford. New books, crossword puzzles,
books on cassette tape, travel games and coloring books are also
good ideas for your travel pack. Remember to schedule frequent
breaks for your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder child to get up and move around. _
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #12: Remember to set aside quiet time. In
a season marked with high energy and many activities, scheduling
quiet time becomes absolutely necessary. Spending time curled up
reading a book after a hectic day or simply sitting in a
darkened room listening to holiday music can effectively calm
your Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder child.
Holiday ADHD Help Tip #13: Remember the
"Reason for the Season." The holiday season is about giving but
children, by nature, often focus only on the gimmee, gimmee
aspect of the season. Set a giving example by donating to a
homeless shelter, by dropping a few dollars in the Salvation
Army buckets, by "adopting" a family in need, by picking up
extra dry goods for the local food pantry or any number of
worthy ways of showing care for others. The holiday season is
also about family, warm feelings, caring and love. Do not forget
to have fun in the midst of rushing about trying to finish off
the last-minute details. Remember – your children will quickly
forget the presents received this year but will long remember
quality time spent together.
Kids Crafts: Holiday Glitter Ornaments Your child can make these
ornaments as gifts for their teachers, friends, grandparents and
other relatives. Handmade presents have a special way of saying,
"I care" and are often the best gift that a child can give. For
this simple and inexpensive holiday craft you will need clear
glass ball ornaments, a variety of holiday colored glitter and
glue. _ Remove the ornament cap and clean the ball using glass
cleaner. _ Mix one part glue with two parts water. _ Using a
small funnel, pour a small amount of the glue mixture into the
glass ornament, coating the entire inside area and pouring out
the excess. _ Using a different funnel, pour glitter into the
ball, coating all inside areas and pouring the excess out onto a
sheet of paper. _ Allow the ornament to dry overnight. Viola,
you have beautiful ornaments to hang on the tree!
ADHD RECIPES: Frozen Yogurt with an Omega 3 boost 4 eggs 2 cups
plain yogurt 2 boxes sugar-free pudding 1 cup frozen fruit
(strawberries, blueberries, bananas…) 2 Tbsp. flaxseed oil 1
tsp. vanilla 2 cups skim milk Blend all ingredients except milk
in a food processor or blender. Gradually add milk. Place in
freezer until soft frozen. Enjoy!
For more information about the Attention Deficit Disorder Help
Center, visit us at www.add-adhd-help-center.com.
About the author:
Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an
Attention Deifict son. Visit her web site to find drug-free
alternatives to Ritalin and other ADHD medications.
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