There have been a lot of parenting issues come up lately, on reality television or on the news etc. What does make a good parent and what is the proper way to punish a child? I know that we tend to stick to methods that are familiar to us, like the methods our parents used on us as children, but is that always a good idea? Honestly, think about it, did you turn out the way you would have wanted to? Now granted, your parents probably did a fine job... but was it the BEST they could have done or is there some room for improvement? And here is a good question, are ordinary child rearing methods fit to use on children who are not exactly your run of the mill kid? Like children with ADHD for example.
Now, keep in mind, I am speaking from the standpoint of the next generation that will run and fuel or country and I am not a mother yet, but I do have plenty of experience with children. Not only do I have experience with children, but I have experience with children who have AD/HD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). As a matter of fact, I was AD/HD as a small child and on medication for a short time due to it. I know how these little minds tick. It is indeed a hard task raising an AD/HD child, just ask my mother she has three children who were or still are hyperactive. Punishing children with this "disorder" is hard, you must use different kind of judgment when dealing with an ADD or an AD/HD child and this is why. Children with this disorder tend to lash out on purpose, either to get your attention or merely to see how far they can push the limits (all children do this but it can be taken to an extreme with children who have ADD or AD/HD) Punishing them with a spanking will do nothing, they will laugh at you or rebel harder, spanking them enrages them even more, you have violated them in there eyes. Taking away privileges will devastate them, because most kids with ADD or AD/HD are not as social as other children, a lot of the time all they have is their toys or their video game, etc.
Follow through with your punishment, if you do not keep your word and you let them off the hook they will disobey again and again... because they know they can get away with it. If you say that you are going to take away a privilege, take it away, don't give in to their demands. You are the boss, not them, you are the parent, the rule enforcer. Also, make sure you tell them why they are having a privilege taken away or why they are being sent to their room. Force the to spend the tie for the crime... and hug them after you have enforced the punishment, because that is usually why they act out in the first place, they want love and affection.
AD/HD children develop better in a stable living environment with a routine, the same activities on the same day, same time basis. When they know they have something to look forward to they are happy, it give them something to think about... and gives them a reason to behave. Another good thing to do is make sure the family has dinner together every evening, it gives them time to socialize and talk about their day... give them responsibility, allow them to help set the table and such, when a child has responsibility he feels wanted and useful. Don't over do giving them responsibility though, ADD and AD/HD children become overwhelmed easily by tasks and chores that they must do alone, make sure they know you are there to give assistance if they need you.
Bedtime is always hard for parents, they get frustrated because their child refuses to nap or go to sleep when told. This is because there imagination is running wild. Imagine watching a really loud action packed movie on full blast, now, try to sleep while your in the same room, hard isn't is? That is how the imagination of these children are, even their imagination is hyperactive. Their brain wont rest, it wont let up. Try exhausting them during the day to get the tired quicker, also try reading them a bedtime story... not one of fairies and ponies... one of knights and dragons and a race of brave men. Over stimulate their already over active imagination. Another thing you can do, and trust me, this works... Give them a cup of coffee. Caffeine has the opposite effect on hyperactive children and adults alike, instead of stimulating them it makes them tired. It has worked for me since I was about 4 years old. Now all I do when I want to go to sleep is take a caffeine pill, it knocks me right out.
Well, thats all for now, I hope a have introduced some helpful tips for all your parenting needs.
This is Far_Skies... signing off...
...until next time.
upon the fiery death that might await me, as we fall thousands of miles out of the sky to our doom. Ah, it's not the fall that scares me... it's the sudden stop at the end. I heard it's a doozy 
. Nah, I'll be fine... I'll just use that little trick that Indiana Jones did with the inflatable raft in The Temple Of Doom, yeah, thats what I'll do... no worries.
... 21
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. We'll just call him Fred. He taught me how to think like a ninja, after I had mastered the mind the only thing left was physical skill. Fred cupped his hands together and formed a flute and began to whistle like a majestic fiery phoenix. Coming forth descending from the heavens upon a cloud of rage was... Chuck Norris.
