Child Link Foundation

 

                                                     

 

  At first, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder have absolutely nothing to do with each another. But many parents with ADD develop a negative thinking pattern because were sometimes frustrated by challenges of life and the constant feelings of being overloaded. This in turn, will often make it harder for us to manage those issues in life and then move ahead.

   Parents with ADD need to focus on their strengths and accomplishments, which in turn brings motivation and happiness. This allows us to spend more time making progress with our spouses and children, and less time feeling negatively toward them. Getting a hold on your ADD so it doesn’t destroy your relationship with your children should be the most important thing in your life. These are all practical suggestions that you as a parent can use to help you shift your thinking into a more positive way and being there for your children.

 

1. Taking Care of Yourself

Eat well, get sufficient rest, and exercise

 

2. Be Grateful

The anxiety of all the wrongs in your life will do nothing but hold you back. Take a little time out during the day and give thanks that you are still alive and able to be around people who love you! Recognize your feelings when they are negative, and then choose to decide how you will deal with them.

 

3. Stop Making Assumptions

Many times in life, people with ADD always assume the worst even with themselves. When they add in the anxiety of worrying about their children, it makes it worst. Be a parent and care, but at the same time recognize that ADD will add in double the amount of worrying.

 

4. Refrain from “Drastic Examples”

Have you ever told your child “You NEVER do good in school!” or “You’re ALWAYS late!”? Thinking and saying things like never and always seems to exceed the reality of the issue, and this also programs your brain into thinking that possibly your children are incapable of ever meeting your expectations.

 

5. Negative Thoughts Get rid of Them!

You don’t always have to visit that corridor. Imagine yourself for a minute in a long corridor with two halls. One is with very happy pictures on the wall and then other has some not so happy pictures on it. You choose the corridors you visit every day of your life.

 

6. Physical Touching and Family Love

Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even your pets, can help you feel tremendously better and significant.

 

7. Become More Social

You need healthy happy people in your life to experience joy. Don’t isolate yourself from others because you will become lonely and this often triggers negative thinking. Some parent with ADD find themselves putting their entire worth into their children and them being a “great parent”. You need to socialize with other Mothers and Fathers and have friends too.  

 

8. Help your Child

Everyone feels good when they can help someone out. Your child needs your help more than anyone, so use that time doing something positive in their life.  

 

9. Pattern Interrupts to steer clear of Rumination

If you find yourself starting to ruminate, a great way to stop this is to force yourself into doing something completely different. If you fall into focusing on something negative its more than likely a waste of energy. Try changing your physical environment – if you’re inside, go outside. Read a book to shift the focus onto something else.  

10. Be patient with your Children

Children are the ones that often suffer more because of the negative thinking that often rubs off onto the child. Your child needs you to be patient with them throughout their childhood. People with ADD often find themselves having no patience and always want to visit the black hole of depression. You are a good parent, with a good child who deserves the best a parent with or without ADD can give.