I just need him to be calm for an hour
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Anonymous
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I’m drowning. Working from home with ADHD kid. I have him in morning or half day camp but the afternoons are a nightmare. I prepare an activity (like sensory sand or a craft) but it takes him 20 min tops to be bored with it. I don’t allow screens because it makes him more hyper. I have snack prepared and he independently eats it but wants me there to talk to him. He refuses to play alone. Constantly needs to ask me questions, talk to me, requires reinforcements of any directions, I literally can’t get anything done. I’ve tried giving him a chore chart, using stickers as rewards, letting him earn enough stickers to get a new book from the bookstore, that worked for maybe two days. The novelty wore off. I’m really struggling to meet my work demands and keep up with him. Hiring babysitter is not in the budget and we have no family nearby. I don’t know how I’m gonna get through the rest of summer.
I have heard of giving magnesium for calming the nervous system but I’m reluctant to do any supplements. Is there something natural that I can give him? I’m not talking about Benadryl or melatonin. I just need like an hour of uninterrupted afternoon work to meet deadlines. I hate that I can’t give him my attention but this is life. I have tried so hard but he’s like a toddler with how dependent he is on me. |
Anonymous
| You quit your job or hire help. |
Anonymous
Or you figure out some other camp option or rework your work hours. Unfortunately, you don't currently have the set up to allow working from home. Also, I don't really understand what you mean by natural if you are reluctant to give Mag? Magnesium is a natural supplement. |
Anonymous
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Is he medicated for his ADHD? Kids sometimes need their extended-release med and then an afternoon booster. You need a psychiatrist well versed in ADHD to start a regimen - pediatricians are not sufficiently trained in mental health pharmaceuticals.
Magnesium is somewhat helpful for mild anxiety and constipation, but it's not going to get a hyper kid to calm down, OP. |
Anonymous
| 18:29 again. Does he like trampolines? My ASD/ADHD kid loves his. He can zone out on it and does it several times a day. It's the repetitive motion that helps him, I think. |
Anonymous
| He needs full day camp. |
Anonymous
| You have the kid you have, so expecting him to change is a fool's errand. Either change your child care or your work hours. |
Anonymous
| Will he listen to audio book op? My son with adhd will listen for hours. Recently to Greeking out podcast or if he has new cards that are novel on his mini yoto player |
Anonymous
| You need childcare for the hours you’re working - not debatable unless your kid is like in middle school. |
Anonymous
| How old is he? |
Anonymous
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How old is he?
Maybe having a friend over? Or swap playdates with another mom. Mother's helper? Get a high school kid to take him outside to play catch or kick a soccer ball. I know you said not in your budget but maybe if you paid a 15 year old $100/week for a couple hours each day to occupy and tire out your kid, it would be well worth it. |
Anonymous
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How old is this kid?
Is he medicated for his ADHD? This is critical info that should have been in your first post, OP. |
Anonymous
| you need better child care. You say it’s expensive but losing your job would be more expensive. |
Anonymous
| You need outside time and water. Can you join a pool? He doesn’t need a craft; he needs to bike/run/climb/swim. |
Anonymous
| You need full time care OP. End of story. |