If you’re caring for a grandchild, niece, or nephew who has ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), you know it comes with challenges and rewards. Being a relative caregiver in this community means you bring deep roots, caring traditions, and strong support to your role. By implementing just a few practical strategies at home, you can help this child thrive—and feel more confident that you’re doing your best.
At-Home Strategies to Support a Child with ADHD
1. Adjust food and habits a little
Many experts say that changing what the child eats and how they rest can help. By doing these small things, you’re giving your child a stronger foundation to focus and feel calm.
- Add more lean protein (chicken, beans, fish) and reduce heavily processed foods.
- Keep an eye on sugar intake—too much can make it harder for a child with ADHD to settle.
- Make sure they get enough healthy sleep. Establish a regular bedtime, a calming bedtime routine, and fewer evening distractions.
2. Release the temptation to compare
You may feel pressure to compare how this child is doing with how other children in your family or community are doing. Please try to let that go.
Your child has a unique mind. Their path will look different—and that’s okay. And, you are in a special caregiver role. Your strengths and your child’s strengths don’t need to match other people’s.
Accepting these truths frees you to celebrate this child’s wins in their journey. When you stop comparing, you open space for a stronger connection—and less frustration.
3. Build routine and predictability
Children with ADHD or other learning challenges do better when they know what’s coming and can follow a steady rhythm.
- Create a daily schedule: wake-up, meals, tasks, playtime, homework, bedtime.
- Use visual tools: a checklist on the wall, a whiteboard, pictures of each step.
- Remind them of what’s next: “In ten minutes we start homework.” “After dinner, clean-up time.”
- Stick to bedtimes and restful evening routines so the brain can settle.
Predictability helps children feel safe—and when they feel secure, they can focus better.
4. Teach the “pause and think” habit.
Children with ADHD often act quickly without thinking first. With practice, the child learns to slow down, which reduces impulsive mistakes and builds life skills.
Teach the “pause-and-think” habit:
- Create a short, simple script like: “Stop. Take a breath. Let’s think this through.”
- Practice together: “I want to grab the toy immediately” and then walk through the pause.
- Encourage them to commit to giving things time: staying with a hobby they find challenging, waiting before speaking or acting.
5. Limit screen time and boost hands-on play
Screens can be especially tempting and distracting for children with ADHD. You can balance screentime with active play and real-world engagement.
- Set clear rules for screen use: “One hour after homework,” or “No screens after dinner.”
- Offer hands-on activities instead: building toys, crafting, outdoor time, nature walks.
- Make use of the land, traditions, and outdoors. Walking in the forest, helping in the garden, or gathering traditional materials can be grounding.
Active, real-life play helps children release energy and use their brains in strong, healthy ways.
6. Use your child’s interests to focus attention
Every child with ADHD can focus, especially when they’re doing something they really like. When you lean into what they love, you naturally build their confidence and boost their focus.
- Discover what they love: animals, nature, drawing, building, movement.
- Join them: “Let’s build that model together,” or “I’ll help you on your plant project.”
- Create a family activity around it: pick a day to go to a local trail, collect leaves, identify birds—whatever draws their focus and curiosity.
7. Hold your expectations loosely and choose your priorities
Decide what “good enough” looks like in your home: maybe dinner tonight was efficient and straightforward, everyone helped clean up, and bedtime was calm. That’s a win, and the house doesn’t have to be clean for you to celebrate the win! Being kind to yourself as a caregiver means you give your child more energy and patience.
Try to let go of perfection. Some things don’t need to be done today or done perfectly. Focus instead on what can get done. And again, celebrate small wins and progress, especially for the kids. “You stayed on task for 10 minutes” is a big win.
8. Talk openly about the brain.
Help the child understand how their brain works, and that their differences are their strengths. Try using simple, positive language:
“Your brain works uniquely. You notice things quickly. You have energy and ideas.”
- Avoid making ADHD feel like a problem or limit. Instead: “You have ADHD—that means your brain is wired to move fast, sometimes jump from idea to idea. We’ll figure out how to use that.”
- Encourage them to see their creativity, curiosity, and energy as assets.
This builds self-esteem and helps them become their own champion.
9. Plan for transitions and tricky parts of the day
Moving from one activity to another can be a challenge. Create a plan to make transitions smoother, reduce chaos, and give the child some control.
- Ask your child what parts of the day are hardest for them to manage.
- Make a list or chart: “Tomorrow we’ll leave home at 8:15. At 8:05 we’ll have shoes by the door, backpack ready, snack packed.”
- Use hooks, checklists, or a chart by the door: “Don’t forget cleats,” “Bring snack.”
- Give them ownership to build confidence: “What will help you remember?”
10. Build your support network
As a caregiver, you also need care. You’re doing an important job, and you don’t have to do it alone.
- Find people you trust: other family caregivers, friends, support groups.
- Brainstorm with them about what works, what doesn’t.
- Take breaks when you need them—so you stay strong, calm, and able to support the child.
Start Small and Build
Your goal is to help this child with ADHD learn how their brain works, feel supported, and grow with confidence. That might seem like a big task—but you don’t have to do it all at once. Please pick just one or two of these ideas to try this week. When you find what works, build from there.
You’re making a difference. You’re giving this child a home where their strengths matter. You are also nurturing tradition, connection, and resilience. With your care and these practical strategies, your relative child can thrive—today and into the future.