Getting to School on Time, with ADHD

The usual stress of the morning rush is expected during an average family’s weekday. The 8:00 hour looms heavily overhead. This everyday challenge increases significantly when dealing with a child who has ADHD.

It seems that no matter what time you wake your child up, there are far too many distractions standing in the way of getting out the door in a timely manner. The frustration mounts as each minute passes by. This occurrence almost becomes dreaded as the parent wakes up each morning knowing what battles lie ahead.

To help make the mornings easier, make it a rule to have the child bathe the night before. This will save a significant amount of time and headache to have this chore out of the way. The clothes should be laid out the night before: again, less distraction to help your child remain focused.

A healthy breakfast should always be fed. If your child is taking any type of medication for the treatment of ADHD, breakfast should come before the daily pill, as some of the medications’ side effects act as appetite suppressants.

Some parents swear by allowing the child to watch television in the morning, or to play video games, such as the Wii, in order to get the child’s mind moving and to help wake them up. This may not be a recommended idea as it may actually slow the child down in his morning. With his focus needed on getting dressed, the distraction may be too great. The arguments that may stem from such allowances will start the day off on the wrong foot for both you and your child.

 A successful morning may call for your constant monitoring; helping your child to stay focused and avoid unnecessary distractions. Remember, it is far harder to be the child with ADHD than it is to be the parent without. The distractions of the morning should be limited. The expectations should be set. Take a deep breath, be realistic. Allow for a not-so perfect morning and help your child help himself have a successful day.