The Importance of Family Rituals for Kids with ADHD

by | Mar 27, 2023 | Mindset, Parenting

Does your child struggle with morning, afternoon, or bedtime routines? Are transitions a serious trigger point for your child? 

Have difficult ADHD symptoms zapped the fun out of parenting!?

If so, keep reading! 

One of the challenges of having a neurodiverse child is that sometimes difficult ADHD symptoms can make everyday tasks a challenge. 

I remember years ago when my son was really struggling, I told my husband one night that I just didn’t like my son. 

I loved him, but I didn’t like him. 

I had lost my joy. 

So what do you do when all the joy has disappeared from parenting? 

My suggestion is to try rituals! 

Build them right into the daily routines, use them to support a transition point, OR create some new mini traditions to add some joy back into your family’s life!

Rituals can have a powerful impact on the dysregulated ADHD child’s nervous system by making your child feel contained and safe. This is because over time rituals become predictable and fun and build connection within the family!

AND rituals help soothe and regulate your child’s highly overactive and sensitive nervous system!

Family rituals promote a sense of belonging and identity and give children structure and a sense of security and are especially important in attachment development in children.

Research shows that children from families who have meaningful rituals actually do better academically and socially!

PLUS…rituals can be a really fun way to bring that joy back into parenting!  

 

Some examples of rituals are:

👪Singing and dance time as a family 

👪Popcorn family movie nights 

👪Family game nights

👪Bike rides/park time each Saturday

👪Pancake Sundays (monthly or weekly)

👪Fun handshakes 

👪Yearly holidays, camping trips, or vacations 

👪Birthday and holiday traditions 

👪Baking and cooking time as a family 

👪Cultural traditions

👪Bath time (yes, this can be a fun ritual, rather than a dreaded task!) 

👪Story time (where the caregiver reads the story book to the child with fun tones- which is different to using the time to ‘teach’ kids how to read and sound out words)

 

Which of these fun family rituals can you incorporate into your family? 

P.S. Want more parenting tips and tricks (especially in regard to raising a child with ADHD)? 

Check out our ADHD Thrive Jumpstart 4 Parenting program, where a licensed Child and Family Therapist offers ADHD-Specific parenting advice that actually works for kids with ADHD. 

(Because we all know that MOST parenting advice just doesn’t land with neurodiverse kids!) 

Learn more here – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd

 


 

Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of peace and calm with your child using natural strategies?

Let’s talk! 

with one of my expert team members to help you take your next step toward a healthier, happier home. There is absolutely NO RISK. It’s free, and there are no obligations. All we will do is chat about how we can help you get to where you want to go!

Click Here To Book Your Call

Alternatively, for more details about how you can help reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, sign up for my  today

And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition. 

Want to know more about how we can help YOU get to a place of peace and calm with your child using natural strategies?

Lets talk!

Book your free call with one of my expert team members to help you take your next step toward a healthier, happier home. There is absolutely NO RISK. It’s free, and there are no obligations. All we will do is chat about how we can help you get to where you want to go!

Alternatively, for more details about how you can help reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, sign up for my free online webinar today here.

And as always, I am not a medical doctor and the above post is based on my experience. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, treat, prevent or cure any disease or medical condition.