Education

With so many distractions for kids not to exercise, from video games to computers and the fattening of America taking place at an ever increasing pace, kids are more unfit than any other time in our history.

In major studies during the last ten years, children from the ages of six to 17 scored extremely low in areas of strength, flexibility, and cardio respiratory endurance. Television watching, electronic games, and inactive parents were implicated as major sources of the lack of exercise.

Children, teenagers, and adults need to accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. However, it's estimated that only one in three American children participate in daily physical activity. And about one-fourth of all adults and young people from the ages of 12 to 21 are getting no vigorous exercise at all.
Kids need to learn at a young age that fitness can be fun! Children have a short attention span (20 minutes) when it comes to fitness, yet an unlimited capacity to watch the monitor or TV.

1. Develop a Support Network

This is absolutely crucial. You need to know who you can depend on right now. Most likely, this network includes your immediate family and friends, but think about other people in your life who might also help you. Making an actual list of who these people are can help remind you that you're not alone. In addition, consider joining a formal support group for single parents.

• Extras

Children fight and argue. Some more than others, and some more subtly than others, but most children will at one time or another attempt to exert their influence over another. It is possible that their target will resist, resulting in an argument. Disagreements are a normal part of behavior and can show that your child is an independent thinker and a self-motivated person – both qualities you want your child to have! However, when these disagreements escalate into fighting, the result can be troubling for everyone involved.
One of the goals of parenting is to teach your child appropriate conflict resolution skills. These skills will be very helpful to them as they negotiate life in the context of a social world. Therefore, every argument your child has can be seen as an opportunity for him or her to practice conflict resolution. Here are some tips to help your child settle arguments and disputes in a constructive manner and minimize arguments and fighting.

• Model appropriate conflict resolution skills yourself. Like it or not, our children learn how to handle social situations by observing how we do so. If a child sees his father yelling and becoming aggressive, then the child will learn that yelling and aggressiveness are the normal ways to handle frustration. If on the other hand, his father models appropriate skills, the child will learn that, also. One area where parents have a difficult time emotionally is when their children are fighting. It doesn’t make sense to scream at your child when you are trying to teach her how to remain calm! Take a deep breath and remember, this is a learning opportunity.
• Communicate your expectations clearly. Let him know from the beginning that you will not tolerate fighting. “Joshua, fighting is unacceptable.”
• Teach your child relaxation skills to assist her in calming down when she feels herself getting angry. When one reacts emotionally rather than responds thoughtfully, regretful behaviors are often the result. By learning to take some deep breaths BEFORE the explosion, there is a greater chance that she will respond appropriately, rather than react negatively.
• Discuss and practice ways of resolving disputes productively. For example, if a child will not share a toy, discuss taking turns. Role play various options for solutions to conflict such as compromising or asking for help.
• Avoid being the judge/arbiter/referee. If you have children who fight with each other, you will drive yourself crazy trying to determine who started it, who is at fault, etc. Instead of taking sides, it is more helpful to give both consequences (it takes two to fight) and then have them work on appropriate negotiation skills.
• Give positive feedback when you see your child attempting to use his or her new skill. Let your child know that you are watching and appreciate the effort he is making in trying to avoid arguments and fights.

 helping your child learn how to resolve conflicts appropriately, you will be training them to be peacemakers. It does not happen overnight, but the peaceful results are worth the effort.
Source: www.parentingtips.co.za

Perhaps you've just learned your child has ADHD, and you are on an emotional roller coaster ride.  Consider yourself normal.  Parenting a special needs child is a challenge, but you can do it.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is somewhat of a misnomer.  It's not that ADHD children do not pay attention, it's that they are bombarded with information.  Their filtering system does not work correctly.

On the up side, it is easier to deal with a problem if you know what you are dealing with.  Now you can begin to sort things out and make a plan.

Listed below are some tips on how to handle a anybody that has ADHD.

1. Accept that there is a problem, whether or not you accept the diagnosis.  Denial will not help you or your child
2. Do not expend energy grieving that your child is "labeled."  No, it's not fair but grieving will not make things better.  Take some time to pull yourself together -- then get on with parenting your child.
3. Be prepared to feel guilty about the time you spend parenting your ADHD child compared to the time you spend with other family members.  Be prepared for backlash you may get caught-up in as a result of other family members feeling neglected.
4. In general, all children need structure.  ADHD children require more structure, routine and consistency.
5. It is critical that all caregivers in the household be on the same page when it comes to disciplining your child.  If one parent perceives his/her spouse to be very lenient and the other has the opposite perspective, it's time for the parents to compromise.  If it requires that you have a family meeting and put rules and consequences on paper -- so be it.  Behavioral expectations and consequences for violations should be as consistent as possible between caregivers.  Remember "structure, consistency."  And yes, this is easier said than done.
6. It's not unusual for an ADHD child to do well one day, and not so well the next.  If you think your child can perform well in school today because s/he did yesterday, you are mistaken.
7. ADHD children are very sensitive to their environment.  The more noise, color, people, clutter, movement, the higher the difficulty level staying focused.  Guard against over-stimulus.
8. It is our job as parents to teach our children to function in this world to the best of their ability.  In this respect, do not let the ADHD "label" cripple them.  Keep your expectations high and teach them to adapt the best they can.  As a parent, it's difficult to walk the centerline of teaching responsibility while addressing potential limitations.
9. This day in time everyday living is a challenge.  Throw in an ADHD child, the extra time required to parent a special needs child, problems with health insurance, the extra financial strain, perhaps an uncooperative school district, the additional stress within the family unit and you have a formula for a full-blown crisis.  Do not forget to take care of you.  You can't adequately care for your child(ren) if you're mentally and physically falling apart.  Do something special for yourself from time to time.  Join a support group, call a crisis hotline when necessary, go see a movie, go shopping, and/or see a counselor.
10. There is still much that is unknown about ADHD, but treatment has come a long way by comparison to yesteryears. There is reason to believe that ADHD treatment will improve as research advances.
11.   Unfortunately ADHD/ADD rarely travels alone -- it appears to be the norm rather than the exception when there are no accompanying disorders such as an auditory processing disorder, learning disorder, bi-polar, non-verbal learning disorder, sensory integration disorder, etc.  And just because your child makes good grades in school doesn't mean the child does not have a co-existing disorder.
12. Trust you instincts.  No one knows your child better than you.
    PARENTING.ORG  www.parenting.org