We all know that having a schedule is the most important thing for a child with ADHD. Any change in their routine can be confusing and upsetting. Parents can establish a holiday wake-up, bed time, and meal time for their child with ADHD by establishing a consistent schedule during the holiday season. Daily activities like bedtime, watching television, outings, or getting together with friends should be included in a general plan on a calendar that is accessible for parents and child.
Plan holiday activities according to the needs and interests of your ADHD child. Try to include those activities that are of mutual interest to you and your child. For example, if you enjoy painting and cooking and your ADHD child is interested in painting and crafts, it is better to go with painting, an activity you both will enjoy. Parents read on to find more helpful holiday tips for children with ADHD:
- You can help your ADHD child to pile up his/her holiday memories in the form of a scrap book. Help your child to include photographs, poems, letters, and experiences of daily activities to create a memorable book. A child with ADHD can add all his/her experiences in the creative book to see it later and share it with friends.
- You can help your ADHD child make cards, craft items to gift their friends, family members and teachers. Craft things may include decorated bells, candles, paper flowers etc.
- If you have scheduled a party or an outing for dinner explain the expected behavior beforehand to your ADHD child. If you plan a short holiday journey give some travel related items to your ADHD child such as story books, puzzles, and coloring books to keep your child engaged while traveling. In spending time with family and extended relatives during the holiday season, make sure that you don't forget to give quality time to your ADHD child.
- During holiday get togethers provide exercise opportunities for children with ADHD to work out some of their excess energy. It is important to schedule a game or a sport in your child’s plans for the holidays.
In summary, parents with ADHD child can make holidays fun and frustration free with some advance planning. By creating holiday memories and projects together, ADHD children and their parents can have the most memorable holidays ever.
