Ever feel totally frustrated with your child? You know you’ve done everything right, but your child seems to do everything wrong. Do you constantly get bad reports that your child is easily distracted, always disturbing other children, has problems completing tasks, temper tantrums, no patience and difficulty working alone?

Well, there is a chance your child is showing symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD). And you’re not alone.

When my daughter was 9-years-old she was diagnosed with ADHD. Her diagnosis was a great sense of relief. I had something tangible to explain her behavior. For years, she had given me and her teachers’ problems.

She’s 21 now, but I rarely remember a teacher sharing a good report when it came to my daughter. She was truly a terror. She would talk back to her teachers, frequently have arguments with other kids and one time she even threw a chair at another child. I would spank or punish her, not knowing there was something wrong with my daughter.

Once she was diagnosed and I came to grips with reality, I had to take a different approach to parenting. Who knew that parenting would be so difficult? I was forced to acquire additional parenting skills.

I found out about and enrolled in a free study being offered at a local Hospital. Took parenting classes and learned new techniques in behavior modification.

It was hard for her to listen to me when I spoke or follow simple directions, but I refused to give up on my daughter. I was a single mother, riddled with frustration, bills and very little emotional support. Her behavior forced me to seek professional help.

No, I wasn’t crazy, but I realized it was too much for me to handle alone. My sessions with a therapist helped ease my frustration and prevented me from committing a crime … lol. I couldn’t do it on my own. As a result of this disorder, my daughter needed constant attention. In fact she tried positive and negative antics to get my attention.

I wanted desperately for my daughter to be normal, so I created an atmosphere in our home that became the norm. I praised her for the little things she would do instead of getting on her about the things she wouldn’t do.

Every time she completed simple tasks, like taking out the garbage, washing dishes and making up her bed, I made a big deal out of it. I learned to celebrate her accomplishments, no matter how small. I tried not to scold or punish her for every little thing.

I learned through professionals that some children with ADHD thrive on negative attention and would purposely do things wrong just to get yelled out. It’s all for the attention.

Since my daughter was diagnosed my motto has been a little gratitude can change her attitude and the same motto might work for you.

Signed: Tell Mama About It