The ADHD Smarter Parenting‘s Podcast

Smarter Parenting is moving in wonderful ways to help families. In order to do that we are making some changes in how we present the lessons and skills we share on the smarterparenting.com website. To do this, we are going to be taking a break from producing new podcasts and from coaching to focus our attention on making these changes happen. Smarter Parenting is working to make it easier for parents and families to use and to find the resources we teach. During this time our podcast episodes will remain available and we highly suggest you visit the Smarter Parenting website for access to our free parenting resources, lessons, and skills. Feedback about your experience with smarter parenting, both positive or constructive, is welcomed. You can email us at info@smarterparenting.com. We would like to thank our active listeners for your patronage and look forward to a bright future!

There are so many skills that contribute to managing your child's behavior. One that often stumps parents is what to do the moment your child acts poorly. The skill of Correcting Behaviors is built to support that. You can access free tools and resources to help you use this skill our website www.smarterparenting.com

What do you do when you issue a consequence for negative behaviors, and your child accepts it, but there is still something that needs to be fixed? This podcast answers that question.

Are you looking for the secret sauce to change a child's behavior? It's Role-playing! A newly released study found that new experiences helped to change a child with ADHD's brain. This finding is super exciting as it gives credence to using behavior skills to help a child better manage a diagnosis or reduce negative behavior. It also confirms that a child can learn new behavior and replace poor behavior with positive behavior. When a child Role-plays they are essentially creating a new experience for the brain--which often becomes the new default response. We can talk to our children about what they did wrong or what they need to do next time, but until they Role-play it, they will have difficulty remembering for the next time. Role-playing is incredibly powerful and is something every parent should use to help their child! On the SmarterParenting website, you will find a short video teaching parents how to use Role-playing. You don't want to miss it!

Effective Praise is simultaneously one of our least requested BUT most taught skills. Many parents come to us saying, "I just need to know what consequence will fix ___" but our coaches know from piles of research and years of experience that a consequence isn't going to magically fix that. Parenting Coach Kimber Petersen explains why Effective Praise is one of the greatest tools for creating change in your home and is actually the unexpected magic wand that can turn things around for your family.

When one child takes all the focus and attention because of behavioral issues, it can be difficult for the whole family. Often a child who isn't causing problems may be overlooked, or a child may act up to get their parent's attention. In this episode of the ADHD Smarter Parenting Podcast, Parenting Coach Siope Kinikini, walks parents through what they need to do when this happens in their family. Parents will find the suggestions invaluable in ensuring each child's individual needs are met.

One of the critical lessons we teach at Smarter Parenting is Preventive Teaching. There is so much power in preparing your child, setting expectations, and practicing something before they face it in real life. In a world with so much risk, how do we teach our children to be safe or to seek safety when they're not feeling it? Parenting Coach Kimber Petersen talks about having hard conversations with your children about discerning who is safe and who is not. These are conversations that children, young and old, need to hear, so listen in to learn where to start.

Is your child with ADHD expressing violent behaviors? Are you wondering how to best deal when they are out of control? If so, this podcast teaches parents what they need to do when their child becomes violent or out of control. When your child is out of control, the goal is to help bring them safely back into control. We want to do this by using the steps of Observe and Describe. When you use the skill of Observe and Describe, you are teaching your child how to deal with their powerful emotions in a productive and not destructive way. Observe and Describe also helps us keep our feelings and response in control which is so important. You can learn more about Observe and Describe on the Smarter Parenting Website. If your child is a danger to themself, others, or property, get professional help.

In today's episode, Parenting Coach Siope Kinikini discusses five tips for parents dealing with tantrum behaviors. These tips include focusing on the behavior and not the issue of the tantrum to refocus the child on adjusting the behavior, eliminating the audience, maintaining composure for the parent, describing the expected behavior, and praising for even minor compliance. The parenting skill, Observe and Describe helps a parent deal with challenging behaviors.

Today's podcast gives hope to parents who worry about their children with ADHD being successful long-term as Issac Eaves join us. While many view ADHD as a handicap, we believe ADHD can be a superpower. As a child with ADHD, Isaac struggled, especially with schedules. His struggles lead to the creation of the Joon App, which helps children with ADHD manage schedules and to-do items in a way that makes them feel successful. It also works with children who do not have ADHD as it makes completing everyday tasks fun and exciting. Children with ADHD operate differently. When we acknowledge that they need different tools, we help them develop their superpowers. You can find the JoonApp here.

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.