Having kids can bring great miracles to our lives. They bring inexplicable joy; they light up the gloom in our lives, and they break the gnawing silence in our home. Indeed, it is a precious and genuine feeling just being in the presence of our children.
However, sometimes our kid’s behavior just gets out of hand, and they do things more energetically than a normal kid would. Some children find trouble remaining seated, and there those who constantly roam around the house, yelling and screaming like their batteries don’t ever run out. If you have noticed these characteristics in your kid, it might be that your child is hyperactive.
Hyperactivity among kids is now openly discussed more often than before. It is a condition wherein a kid’s behavior is way off the charts compared to most children his age. Sadly, this condition has been neglected long enough by parents and teachers that kids often develop symptoms of depression and anxiety. Poorly handled, most hyperactive kids experience troubles in school, in their social life, and later, their personality.
We, parents, should be vigilant and attentive to our kid’s well-being. When we receive constant feedback from teachers and other people about our little boy or girl’s mischiefs, we should definitely take it as a sign that something is going on with our little ones. Fortunately, when our hyper-energetic kids begin to go ballistic, we can use the following tricks to subdue their hyperactive nature and turn it to our advantage. Read on below.
1. ENCOURAGE EARLY MORNING MEDITATION
Meditation is an ancient practice that requires deep concentration and focuses. Encouraging our hyperactive kids to practice meditation can help them learn how to control their attention and focus. Although getting them into the practice can be very challenging, once you have successfully initiated them into mindfulness meditation, you can be assured of the positive things it can provide them. Mindfulness meditation allows the mind to build strength, so it is not easily distracting. It raises the brain’s dopamine levels – a chemical in our body responsible for what we do and how we react emotionally.
2. ESTABLISH AUTHORITY
You may want to appear more understanding and caring to your hyperactive kid, and that is fine. But, too much can lead to tolerance of their behavior on your part, without you even realizing it. Establishing authority inside your home allows your kid to know what is expected of them—setting some rules that our kids understand so that they are aware that there are consequences to their actions can be pretty handy.
3. ALLOW THEM TO PLAY
Hyperactive kids go round and round the house because they feel something inexplicable inside of them swelling and wanting to explode. When your kids act up, it may be best just to let them be. We can’t just suppress our kid’s emotions and not let them express their feelings – it could be torturous to them. Instead, we can let them play all they want; we can even play with them! Allow them to express themselves and do activities they like, so long as we have made sure that they won’t go around breaking things or hurting others and themselves.
4. WALK WITH THEM
Walking refocuses and rejuvenates the mind and body as we exercise the muscles and delight our eyes with the scenic view outside. While doing so, we may also take the opportunity to talk to them about things that interest them. This way, we can strengthen our bond as family. It would let them feel loved and given attention, as hyperactive kids sometimes act up when they feel unheard and neglected.
5. BE GENTLE AND CALM
We should remember as parents that hyperactive kids are not necessarily bad kids. Hyperactivity is a condition and can be a symptom of a mental disorder called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We should treat the situation as a condition rather than a problem that needs correcting. When at home, we want to be more gentle and understanding whenever our kids act up – for all we know, they have had a rough day at school already. We should let them feel that they are not alone and that they have us to support them.
6. GO WITH POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Punishment would never work for hyperactive kids – it would just let them feel worse about themselves. Rewarding our kids’ positive behavior can help strengthen said behavior and could lead to more positive results.