The energy level for a child that truly has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be nothing short of amazing. For a parent, it can be quite frustrating at times as it seems that your child just doesn’t know how to slow down. By the time he or she is a tween, you have probably grown to adapt. This could also be a great time to put the child’s energy reserves toward a positive goal.
Encourage Physical Sports
Although you may need a coach that can understand your child needs help remaining focused, the amount of energy a child with ADHD can bring to any sport can play in everyone’s favor. Some of the positive aspects could be:
- Your child can remain energized while others are wearing out
- The physical activity is excellent for health reasons
- It provides a positive outlet that the child can be proud of
- It may reduce your child’s need to keep moving afterwards
Chores for Cash
What child doesn’t like money? Since you don’t have the energy to perform certain tasks, why not pay your tween to do it for you? Jobs such as raking the yard, painting the fence, cleaning out the garage and other menial duties can be quite simple for the tween with too much energy. You may even find that your child begins to request certain physical jobs on his or her own. This can also teach your child that in order to be paid, a good job is needed. It could very well prepare him or her for the world as they won’t rely on hand outs if there is a job that needs to be done.
Landscaping Projects
If you’re planning a major overhaul of your yard, save yourself the money in labor costs and make it a family effort. Perhaps you and your tween can build a rock waterfall for the yard complete with a small pool for goldfish. Rebuilding a broken down fence in the yard could exhaust some of that child’s energy. It’s all about being constructive with the tween’s energy level and not destructive. All too often a child with nothing to do and an incredible amount of energy will find something to do on his or her own – with a negative outcome.
Invest In a Swimming Pool
There are multitudes of reasons why you should want a swimming pool anyway. Not only is it a fun activity for many, but swimming is one of the most effective zero impact exercises any person can do. Almost every muscle is being used in order to promote stamina and strength. It can also be quite physically grueling. Of course this is more of a warmer-weather type of activity. However, you could give your child a few dollars to go to the local recreation center and use the indoor pools.
These are just a few ways that you can help your child release some of thatenergy he or she keeps readily available. The activities listed above have been used by a few parents I know and have proven effective in helping the child keep focused. Coincidentally, these activities have also helped the child behave better in the home and in school. Help your child find creative ways to utilize his or her energy in a positive manner.
Rachael Cherry is a wife, mother, and writer who is passionate about helping connect families in need with high quality caregivers. She has taken that passion and put it to work through NannyPro, a respected online nanny referral service. Learn more by visiting @NannyPro on Twitter.
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