Helping
the ADHD Child Recover from Mistakes
After
years of dealing with attention difficulties, on a
bad day the ADHD child might feel like he or she can’t
do anything right. When you combine attention difficulties
with a fear of failure, it’s not surprising
that a child with ADHD could feel unmotivated. These
feelings are all connected with ADHD
and self-esteem issues.
However,
don’t let your ADHD child buy into the idea
that he or she is incapable or incompetent. As a parent,
you can guard against low self-esteem and defeatism.
There are many ways you can teach your child how to
recover from mistakes or misfortunes, such as:
-
Remind your child of the things he or she has already
accomplished such as learning to walk, talk, get
dressed, go to school, etc. These were not easy
feats, yet your child learned how to do them at
a very young age!
-
Some people refuse to use the word “mistake,”
replacing it with the word “opportunity.”
That’s because mistakes are an opportunity
for learning. Teach this theory to your child and
find as many learning opportunities for your child
as possible. The ADHD child has ADHD
in the classroom and outside of the classroom
... show your child that learning can happen anywhere
at anytime, not just in school.
-
Also look for examples of famous people who had
setbacks, such as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison.
These people learned from their mistakes and used
them to achieve greatness. Your child can do the
same!
-
Move your child past perfectionism by teaching your
child that nothing is perfect. Mistakes, accidents,
and bad luck are inevitable, but they don’t
mean you’re a bad person. On the contrary,
adversity actually makes you a more experienced,
compassionate person.
In
addition to the above lessons, raise the level of
warmth and affection in your home. Hugs and quiet
conversations help children to feel more at ease and
calm during stressful events. Also maintain normal
routines, which promote a sense of stability for your
children.
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