Even the best parents struggle to understand and parent their teen with ADHD. Creating a peaceful and well-functioning home environment for the entire family can be very challenging at times. However, there are several simple steps parents can take to help their teen with ADHD and create more peace in the home.
Do Not Punish Your Teen for Their ADHD
Parenting a teen with ADHD can be challenging for parents because of how easily the teen can get distracted. At times, parents may feel like their son or daughter is not listening to them or being defiant, but in fact, it’s their ADHD that has caused them to be distracted. In such circumstances, parents need to take a step back and evaluate if their teen is being defiant or if the disobedience is due to the biological effects of ADHD. In circumstances where it is not defiance, it is important parents do not punish their teen for their ADHD. Instead, kindly remind your teen of what you have asked. At times, you may need to work with your teen in focusing and completing the task.
Disciplining Your Teen with ADHD
According to 65% of teens with ADHD have problems with defiance, non-compliance and other problems with authority figures, including verbal hostility and temper tantrums. This makes disciplining teens with ADHD very difficult at times. Many parents of teens with ADHD have found that focusing on a few very important and firm rules is more effective than making a long list of rules that will easily get forgotten. While creating these boundaries, parents should keep in mind that teens with ADHD are at higher risk for substance abuse and addictions as well as car accidents. Parents must create firm boundaries and swift consequences in these areas for their teen’s safety. In most cases, teens with ADHD do best when there are fewer choices and distractions.
Be Patient with Your Teen with ADHD
Parents of teens with ADHD should strive to be as patient and as positive as possible. Chances are that your teen is already frustrated with him or herself. When their parent is also negative towards them, it can cause the teen to have even lower self-esteem. If a teen is repeatedly told bad things about him or herself, it is likely they will eventually believe them. The best thing a parent can do for their teen with ADHD is to be patient with them. Just like any teen, they need to hear that they can do and achieve great things.
