ADD Student

One of my newest online friends is Kayla who has ADHD kids too and her own website called Go Ask Mom.

I was reading Kayla’s site tonight and she mentioned something that I think is very powerful, especially for parents of ADHD children.

You know, there are a lot of people with ADHD who have problems letting go of their stuff. I think it falls under the “I’m afraid if I get rid of it I’ll need it” rule.

I remember when my daughters were younger and shared a room. Of the two girls, Caitlin was by far the messiest. When it was time to clean the room, she would cause Sarah all kinds of grief. Anytime Sarah picked up something to throw away, Caitlin would protest. She might want that someday, or need it sometime. Sarah finally asked to be able to clean the room herself as long as I would keep Caitlin away.

Today on Go Ask Mom, I was reading one of Kayla’s hints she calls “Share the Joy”. Here’s what she says:

Share the Joy~Help your child break the hoarding habit before it starts! Set up a place somewhere in your house for “give away stuff”. Tell your kids (and your spouse) to put things they will never wear into the bin instead of shoving them further back in the drawer. When the bin is full, give the clothes to charity or hand them down.

I think that’s an excellent idea, don’t you? Let’s break that clutter and hoarding habit early and teach them to be charitable at the same time.

Good call, Kayla!

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