Managing niece with ADHD

[Anonymous]

I would encourage you to look into a parent support group like CHADD, so you can learn some strategies to help. Perhaps your sister can learn along with you.

I applaud you for trying to support your sister and niece. Your niece does not want to live like this.

You might also consider looking for some age-appropriate books or videos to help explain ADHD to your daughter. She needs to understand what is going on and needs to develop her own skills to navigate this with what sounds like almost a sibling relationship.

At your house, besides the efforts to exercise, put in more structure than you would with other play dates for this age, as your niece needs close supervision and reminders of the house rules. They can’t sit around deciding what they are going to do. ADHD kids struggle with transition time, open blocks of time, and sometimes with mood swings due to blood sugar.

People with ADHD often have many strengths, and you can play to those. Sit down and analyze when things go well and when they don’t. If a rule is broken, like leaping off furniture, what is the immediate consequence? It should be quick and logical, like now you need to sweep my kitchen floor, because you have shown you need to learn how to take care of my living space productively as a member of the household.

Make sure your rules are clear. Reward compliance and praise your daughter for her positive efforts to resist peer pressure.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just want to say kudos to you for being there for your sister and your niece, and for seeking advice.

My SIL (overseas) has two severely autistic sons. Her sister regularly took them to give her a break, even though it was challenging, because few others could handle them. The result? Her own kids are now compassionate adults, thanks to their mom's example and their experience growing up with their cousins.

[Anonymous]

Maybe your sister can sign her up for gymnastics and/or get an out door trampoline? Sports - tennis, swimming, etc to burn off all that energy will help.