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A Stressed Parent’s Guide to Disciplining a Child with ADHD
It’s a lot like parenting other kids, but it takes a little more effort
Positive parenting has helped many families to achieve greater harmony, and this approach may be especially important for parents raising a child with ADHD.
A recent study confirms that cutting back on yelling and spanking can lead to biological changes that make it easier for a child to regulate their emotions and behavior.
Researchers at Ohio State University studied family relations among preschool children with ADHD and their parents. They found that parents who received as little as 10 to 20 weeks of coaching showed significant improvement in positive parenting skills.
As harsh interactions decreased, their children demonstrated less abnormal heart activity and greater impulse control.
As a mom of two sons who both struggled with ADHD, I can attest to the difference it makes when you stop yelling and spanking.
When I yelled or otherwise negatively reacted to their behavior, we all felt stressed. We didn’t spend a lot of enjoyable time together because we were all just waiting for the next time they’d do something “wrong” and I’d get upset.
