The ADHD Smarter Parenting‘s Podcast

Siope discusses the new challenge for parents that previous generations of parents have not had to deal with, namely, electronic devices. More and more children are acting out when asked to stop using electronic devices. What can parents do to help their children navigate their use of devices and the need for a positive environment in the home? Using the skill of Decision Making, parents and children can learn how to set up productive ways to work through the challenges of children using electronic devices. 

Continuing our mini-series of breaking down the Smarter Parenting skills is skill number 4: Effective Communication. Communicating with your child or even your partner can be improved by practicing this simple skill. Often we hear parents AND children report that the other person just doesn't listen. This skill helps both sides feel heard and valued, allows you time to process your thoughts fully before speaking, and helps you work together on solving problems.

Role-playing can make parents nervous. In this episode, we talk about ways you already see Role-plays at work and how easy it can be to use them. It's amazing to see some of the immediate changes that can happen after a parent Role-plays an expectation. Think about it, would you bring your child to the soccer playoffs without ever practicing? No way. So why do we expect them to behave in certain ways without any practice?

Many parents give a consequence expecting it will stop the behavior and are surprised when it doesn't. 

Giving an effective consequence isn't easy. In fact, for a consequence to work, it needs to include five key elements: Immediacy, Size, Frequency, Importance, and Varied.

The best way to teach a child isn't through consequences. Because consequences focus on the negative, they can damage your relationships with your child and cause them to have issues with self-esteem and self-doubt. The best way to get a child to create lasting change is through rewards.

Rewards give a child power and encouragement to change because it focuses on what they will receive. Rewards build relationships and set your child up for success. 

For more information about giving consequences or rewards, visit SmarterParenting.com

Parenting Coach Siope Kinikini answers more parenting questions about children who struggle with out-of-control behaviors. Such as why it takes a child with ADHD so much time to do simple tasks. How children with ADHD are motivated differently than neurotypical children. Concerns about the future of children with ADHD. 

Siope answers questions parents have sent in to Smarter Parenting regarding how to deal with various issues such as: co-parenting, constant arguing, how to use rewards effectively, why boys are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD as opposed to girls, etc.

Kids with ADHD can have difficulty setting and accomplishing goals.

In today's podcast, ADHD expert Siope Kinikini shares three things that will help a child, or anyone, with ADHD, be successful when establishing goals.

The three things covered are: 
How to set appropriate goals. 
Basing outcomes on feelings vs. actions
Anchoring goals

We want to give our children the tools to handle school, work, and relationships. When they use the skill of Decision Making (SODAS Method), they are using those tools that will allow them to find success.

You can learn more about Decision Making on Smarter Parenting.

In our series, we are reviewing the skill of Observe and Describe and how it helps bring clarity to communication between parents and children. This helps both the parent and child reach better understanding in both positive and negative situations that can lead to better communication and the resolution to problems.

For the next few weeks, we will review the skills taught on Smarterparenting.com.

This week we are focusing on the ABC's of Behavior.

The ABC's of Behavior is a tool parents can use to figure out why a behavior is happening and then take the appropriate steps to keep the behavior from happening again or promoting repeat behavior. 

The ABC's of Behavior stands for: 
A-Antecedent. The Antecedent is what was happening before the behavior. 

B-Behavior. It is what happened or the action.

C-Consequence. This is what follows after the behavior. It can be either positive or negative.

When parents can understand why a specific behavior is happening, it is easier to address the root cause in a way that helps a child learn and grow.

Visit SmarterParenting.com for more information about The ABC's of Behavior

Do you ever feel like electronics are taking over your child's life? Do they have a problem getting off their phone, tablet, computer, game, or TV?

It can be tricky to help our children learn how to use electronics appropriately, as we must teach them how to use them in a beneficial and not harmful way for their growth.

In today's podcast, Parenting Coach Siope Kinikini discusses ways to set boundaries around electronics and their usage.

One of the things families can do is use the SODAS Method to determine how and when members should use electronic devices. When we make it a family decision, they don't feel like there is a double standard with one set of rules for grown-ups and another set for kids.

You can learn more about the SODAS Method by visiting the Smarter Parenting Website and watching the Decision Making Video.