Parenting Hyperactive Children

Children who are excessively hyper present a parenting challenge to moms and dads. Dealing with these hyper children and their seemingly limitless supply of energy often proves taxing, even to the most energetic parents. If you find that your child hits the ground running each day and never stops, you may need to modify your parenting style to help him harness his excessive energy.

Diagnosed Hyperactivity Disorders

While some children are just a bit more hyper than most, others have a diagnosable hyperactivity disorder. The two most common disorders of this type — Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder — are on the increase. If you think that your child may suffer from one of these disorders, voice your concern to his doctor. By acquiring an official diagnosis, you can both increase your understanding of your child’s struggles and ensure that your child gets accommodations in school.

Beware of Impulsivity

Children who are excessively hyper also tend to struggle with the inability to control this impulses. This means that they will likely fail to think through things before acting, putting them at a greater risk of self-injury. If your child seems to act on a whim, you may need to monitor him a bit more closely to ensure that his failure to think before he acts doesn’t put him into harm’s way.

Setting Standards

Hyperactive children often operate best under strict standards of behavior and set schedules. By creating a household schedule and making a list of rules from which you do not deviate, you help your child develop a routine and more effectively manage his hyperactivity. Avoid allowing any gray areas to exist in your household, such as unwritten rules or flexible bedtimes, as hyperactive children often deal best in black and white.

Benefits of Rewards

Many children who suffer from hyperactivity feel as if they are constantly being sanctioned for their bad behavior. To decrease the likelihood that your child feels like “No” is his first name, reward her for good behavior whenever possible. By celebrating her successes, you can build a better relationship with your child and show her that you truly care about her and are her partner in fighting the hyperactivity.

Preparing for School Success

If your child is hyper at home, he will be hyper at school, too. Don’t send him off to school thinking that his behavior will be different in the classroom. Instead, speak with his teacher about his hyperactivity. If your child has a diagnosed hyperactivity disorder, share this diagnosis with your child’s school to ensure that they accommodate this behavioral issue.