Sometimes, School is a Pain in the Backside
/We’re not talking about the old days, when teachers could hit students.
We’re talking about now.
We’re talking about school days that look like this:
Morning: Your child is late because he could only find one shoe.
Math: What homework? Now there’s extra homework tonight.
Recess: Your child’s best friend is mean to her.
Language Arts: Too much sitting still for your squirmy kid.
Lunch: All the food is yucky.
Art: Paint drips on your child’s good shoes.
After School Program: Kids sit in front of a video, no homework completed.
Evening: Running to ballet, soccer, youth group, scouts, robot club, etc.
Homework: Becomes a battle.
Baths, books, brush teeth, bed.
Isn’t it funny how soon we forget complaining about school being out for the summer!
Some days it seems summer lasts waaaaay too long!
The office supply store Staples even made a clever commercial about this several years ago. The song is meant for Christmas, but for parents in August, back-to-school may just be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
We have mixed emotions about school. Sending our kids off to school is both a relief and a struggle.
What do we do about it?
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or autism, or you are wondering about their hyperactivity or lack of attention, you may feel conflicted with back-to-school.
Hooray – My child is back in a routine
Boo – Other kids may not treat my excitable child nicely.
Hooray – I actually can get something done with the kids gone all day.
Boo – my child’s teacher may not understand
Take a look at what this 59 second video has to say.
“Teachers have a variety of teaching styles, and it can be hard for some teachers to manage the behavior of children with ADHD.”
Oooh! Who is he going to hit with that paper airplane?
Children with ADHD are challenging to live with, and challenging to teach. But ADHD is not our fault. It is not our child’s fault.
It’s our circumstances. That’s just how it is.
ADHD does not mean our children cannot succeed in school. We just have to work with them a little differently.
It’s our choice. There is much we can do.
There is hope for your child with ADHD. Here are some strategies that parents find helpful:
When doing homework, a short ‘movement break’ can help a child with ADHD refocus on completing the work.
A small fidget toy is not a distraction for a child with ADHD. It helps them relax and be alert. Try giving your child two quarters to rub together between their fingers.
Children with ADHD feel it when adults don’t seem to like them. Love them and be their cheerleader. Let them know you are on their side. At the end of the day, did your child receive more corrections, or more compliments?
You are a resourceful parent. What will you try for a ‘movement break’? What have you found works for a fidget toy? How will you be your child’s cheerleader today? Let us know so we can share with other parents just like you.
PS. What is the first thing you treated yourself to when your kids left for their first day back to school? Or maybe you have a special routine to celebrate back to school with your child? Please share with us!
