How to Avoid Parental Burnout
Parenting a child with ADHD is one of the hardest jobs around. Burnout is very real and common among even great parents. If it ever starts to feel like too much, follow these steps to feel supported, understood and less stressed.
💎 Prioritize Your Self Care
There’s only one person in life you can control, and that’s you. You must take care of yourself. If you don’t make yourself a priority—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—you will become drained and exhausted, and have nothing left to give. If you feel like you're always giving, make an appointment for yourself once a week to do something you enjoy.
💎 Slow Down and Live
We live in a hectic society. Slow down and decide what you can eliminate to make your life less stressful.
💎 Turn It Upside Down
Sometimes our kids annoy us. They can be pigheaded or argumentative, and it makes us feel like we’re always playing defense. It helps to remember that our kids have great qualities, mixed up with the negative. Whenever you start feeling defensive, list all the things that irritate you about your child. Then flip each one around and ask, “What’s the positive side?” If he’s stubborn, admire his persistence. If he’s argumentative, appreciate his critical thinking skills.
💎 Be Proactive
Take a proactive stance in helping teachers, friends, or spouses understand what you and your child struggle with and how they can help. When you meet with your son’s teacher, share his passions and interests, his strengths, where he struggles, and specific strategies the teacher can use. You’ll be giving the teacher an honest view of your son while suggesting tools she can use to support him.
💎 Give Kids Tools to Succeed
Do not allow your kids to become victims. They’re bright, creative, and full of energy. Don’t let them use their ADHD as an excuse — instead, help them use their strengths and think strategically about their difficulties. Does she struggle to sit still through her homework? Brainstorm ways to make it easier, like sitting on an exercise ball, or under a table, or even lying off the sofa upside down!
💎 Find a Friend Who Understands
Find a good friend with a child facing similar challenges and agree to babysit for each other when it becomes too much. You’ll see that everyone has their own burdens to carry, and you’ll appreciate your child’s good qualities more and more.
💎 Arm Yourself with Knowledge
Research ADHD and different practical strategies to handle it. Your child may struggle with focus and attention — it’s part of who she is. But you can educate yourself and figure out: What are some tools he can use in class? Are there alternative therapies that might work? If you arm yourself with knowledge, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and be the best possible parent you can be to your child.
💎 Stop Trying to Make Everyone Else Happy!
You have to stop trying to make the world around you perfect. You can’t do it. Stop trying to make everybody else happy and focus a bit more on making yourself happy.
Coach Benjamin Mizrahi. Educator. Learning Specialist. Family Coach. Father. Husband.
More articles on www.MrMizrahi.blog
© 2024 Benjamin Mizrahi. All rights reserved.
