A scene from Elf
The holidays are often talked about as a time of joy and peace, celebration and reflection. For parents, however, the stress and frustration of the season can feel overwhelming and prevent us from tapping into these positive feelings and experiences. As we lead into the holidays this week, I will be sharing some articles to help everyone cope with some of the more difficult and taxing pieces of the holiday. Today, I'd like to focus on a group of people for whom December can be particularly challenging: Parents of children with ADD/ADHD. Your child's or children's executive function limitations are often on full display this time of year - there are changes to routine, visits with cousins, lots of sweets, excitement that challenges even the most regulated kid's impulse control, and lots of places to be on often tight schedules. On top of that, you have your own shopping and cooking lists and places to be! If you are feeling stressed just reading the last two sentences, I offer you some hope: you can do this! Not only can your family survive the holidays, but I believe with some effort and planning, you can enjoy them. Below are a number of resources with tips and strategies for managing the impact of your child's executive dysfunction and avoiding some class holiday ADHD pitfalls.
- Avoid Holiday Havoc: Help for Children with ADHD - This article from the immensely helpful ADDitude online magazine offers "six ways for parents to help their children with ADHD enjoy holiday celebrations without behavior problems, family conflict, or ADHD symptom flare-ups."
- If you yourself struggle with organization, time management, and other executive functions, check out this print out of the ADHD Holiday Survival Guide, also from ADDitude. In all honesty, most everyone could benefit from these 10 holiday strategies! (Note that you will need to enter your email address to receive the PDF.) I'll be posting a list of resources for managing one's own ADD/ADHD during the holidays in the coming days, so be on the lookout!
- 11 Tips to Help Kids with ADHD Manage the Holidays - A great list of tips that include "pick and choose holiday events," "discuss the 'house rules' of wherever you go" in advance," "give your child a job," and many more words of wisdom.
- Keeping the Peace at Holiday Gatherings - A quick read from ADDitude on some simple plan-ahead strategies for preventing your child's ADHD behaviors and needs from disrupting your family meals, parties, and outings.
Also be sure to check in with your child's therapist who likely has some very specific ideas about how to apply these and other strategies to best fit your specific kiddo's needs.
Wishing you all a warm, joyous, and relatively peaceful holiday season. -Kathy