AskHal

This past week, a leading ADD magazine interviewed Hal for his perspective on a few issues. While the ScreamFree Principles are universal and apply to all parenting situations, they seem to speak directly to this population in a profound way. Check out what one reporter was interested in and how Hal answered:

Part I:

"Many parents who have children with AD/HD are so focused on their child that they don’t realize how important it is to spend time on themselves. I know in your book, you say that the only way to retain a position of influence with children is to regain a position of control over ourselves. What advice would you give to parents who are usually pretty bad at having control over their own lives?"

Kids follow our example more than they follow our words. This principle is true in all areas of our interactions with them. It is especially true when it comes to the emotional energy we give off. Kids don’t respect chaos. So, when parents are out of control, they can’t be in charge. Kids with AD/HD thrive when they are surrounded by order and balance, but it takes a focus on ourselves and our own struggles to create that kind of home. If we take some of the focus off our children and place it on ourselves, amazing things will happen. Our kids will see that we value and respect ourselves, which will help them see that we value and respect them. They will watch us learn to control our own impulses and create order in our own lives. They will feed off of the calm that begins to surround us as we take ownership of a very difficult truth... Sometimes, the way we’ve been living our lives has actually made things worse. But that's good news; it means that we have the power to make things better.

Check back in next week for part II of the AD/HD discussion.