The holidays can be a welcome break of sleep-late mornings and spontaneous activities. This time without a regular schedule can cause the ADHD child to be overwhelmed.
Most parents and teacher of children with ADHD will agree that schedules are important. Routine offers predictability and structure to kids who struggle to keep things in balance. Often, the spontaneous rush of the holidays is overwhelming to the child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and to his family as well.
Create a Holiday Schedule
Here are some schedule tips to keep the holiday fun in balance. Just as a schedule is important in day-to-day life of the child with ADHD, so is a schedule during the bust holiday season. The schedule is not likely to be the same as the year-round one, but it can provide a sense of what is happening next.
Holiday Bedtime
Decide on a holiday bedtime (and wake up time) – This may or may not be the same as what you use for regular school days. It may include a little extra time to stay up. It is important, however, to define the time that the child will go to bed. Will he be allowed to watch an extra 30 minutes of TV each evening? What time will he get up in the morning? This can be a later time that normal to accommodate the feeling of sleeping in. The idea, though, is to have the underlying structure of routine. Everyone’s system functions better with a regular bedtime and time to get up.
Mealtime Routine
Parents can establish a mealtime routine by communicating when meals will happen. Again, a regular time is very helpful. If the holiday plans include going out to restaurants, it is important to let that be known ahead of time. Which days will be the restaurant days? How will the restaurant be chosen? Letting the ADHD child know the plan ahead of time will head off many impulsive reactions.
Plan the Day
Consider a general plan for days off. Necessary activities (bath, house pick up, errands) as well as fun things (TV, family outings, getting together with friends) should be included. A blend of activity and down time will work well. In a sense, this creates yet another schedule to follow. This one, however, is a more laid back plan. . . a strategy that will help the child with ADHD and his parents fully enjoy the holiday time together.
Get Back to a Regular Schedule
As the end of the holidays approach, ease back into the regular schedule. Perhaps the most critical part of this is the bedtime/wake up routine. The child with ADHD will also benefit from discussion about the regular schedule and how that will be different from vacation.
The holidays can be spontaneous fun (with a loose structure) and not holiday chaos with just a little planning. Read more about routines for children with ADHD.
