Avoiding ADD and ADHD induced behavioral problems this holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult or impossible for parents.

The holidays are stressful for everyone, but more than anyone else children suffering from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can really be impacted. The traveling, the visiting friends and family and the general disruption of typical routines all of these things can make for an overwhelming and stressful period of time.

There are things parents can do to help their children. Try to make a plan. Where routine and structure typically get tossed to the side during the holiday season. Don’t let it. Decide how you will be spending your time, create an itinerary and stick to it, make sure you buffer some time for mishaps, or overwhelming periods of time so your child can rest. Know when you will be visiting relatives, know when you will be decorating, attending parties, baking and gifting.

Pay attention to holiday activities as they are going on, know your child and feel free to remove them from scenarios which will add stress or be inappropriate based on their individual needs.

Discuss with your doctor medications some do not work round the clock normally, requesting that your doctor make them 24 hours might not be a bad idea in helping your child to cope.

Supply your children/child with tools for self control. This will help in the prevention of temper tantrums or melt downs. Teach your child relaxation methods such as yoga, exercises in breathing, etc. will help to calm a child in the midst of panic or anxiety.

Practice calming down with your child prior to placing them in situations where they will have to use them. Rehearse with them the breathing, the stopping, the taking a moment to relax. Role play with them a stressful scenario or situation and help them figure out the best methodology to solving problems and self soothing.

Playing the blame game is completely unacceptable when an individual has attention deficit disorder. You just have to deal, and you have to cope. There are a variety of methods that help in the coping process.

For many individuals with attention deficit there are issues such as a home that is constantly in disarray, the inability to pay bills on time. Sometimes it becomes easy for individuals to blame these issues on their environment, surroundings, schedule etc. The best thing to do is accept responsibility and recognize that as an individual with ADD you have to work harder to manage certain areas of your life.

Curing attention deficit disorder is possible with both medication and also lifestyle changes such as dieting, exercising and better organization and scheduling.

As I am not a licensed physician the following list is simply one that helps me to cope with my own disorder.

Working to schedule things wisely. It isn’t possible to keep your schedule completely free, however you want to make sure you don’t pack your time with commitments. Try to keep your clients, appointments, etc. to a minimum as managing a small number is much easier than something large and overwhelming. Make sure to keep a calendar and try and organize your time each day.

Take your bank ledger with you, or some other item used to track expenses. This also helps so you can keep up with what you’ve paid, know when you have to pay things and remain responsible fiscally.

Keep track of time. Wear a watch. Keep your clocks in plain sight. It will help to prevent you from losing track of time or becoming completely distracted.

Downsize your things. I know it seems intense, and it is, but it helps tremendously. Having less things keeps your area clean and less cluttered. This will allow you to be better organized. This is a hard, but necessary lifestyle change.