Raising Boys with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons

by Mary Anne Richey

Written by two professionals who have "been there and done that" with their own sons with ADHD, Raising Boys with ADHD empowers parents to help their sons with ADHD find success in school and beyond. The book covers topics not often found in other parenting guides, such as the preschool years, early diagnosis and strategies for teens transitioning to work and college. Filled with practical knowledge, resources, and tools needed to help parents address the many strengths and challenges of boys with ADHD, this book provides parents with encouragement and hope for the future.

Genres: Parenting, Adhd, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Psychology, Health

Audible Audio

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Mary Anne Richey, M.Ed., a Licensed School Psychologist, has a private practice in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. evaluating children for learning disabilities and gifted. She brings years of experience in working with children in many different capacities including as a middle school teacher, administrator, high school guidance counselor, and adjunct college instructor. In 2012, she was honored to be named Florida School Psychologist of the Year. One of her books, Stressed Out! Solutions to Help Your Child Manage and Overcoming Stress, was selected as the Book of the Year in the Parent Category by the National Association of Gifted Children. Mary Anne has assisted many students with ADHD, gifted and learning disabilities and their families over the years. She has co-authored five books on ADHD, Executive Functioning and stress in children. She is the sole author of second editions of Raising Girls with ADHD-Secrets to Parenting Healthy, Happy Daughters and Raising Boys with ADHD - Secrets to Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons. She is the proud parent of two adult children and six grandchildren.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book to be very well written, easy to read and full of information. I borrowed this book from the library, but has so much useful information that I will now purchase the book. This is my first book on ADHD, but it really opened my eyes and broke my heart at the same time. It covers elementary year up to teenage years.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really useful not just for parenting boys with ADHD, but for parenting in general.

One of my favourite things about this book was how easy to read it was. I never felt like I was reading a boring textbook on ADHD with pages and pages of text. This book has lots of interesting charts and tips that kept my attention and it's nicely divided into subjects so I never felt overwhelmed.

I will definitly be passing this book along to my teacher friends because it has a lot of great information in it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for a review.

Every bit as useful as I hoped it would be. My son is in preschool and his teachers suggested he get therapy for social/emotional behavior. Two different therapists now have told us that he may have ADHD but that he's too young for a diagnosis. As frustrating as that uncertainty is, I wanted to read up on ADHD so I know what to expect and how to help my child as much as possible.

This book takes you through what ADHD is, common myths, and treatment options. Then there are chapters broken up into rough age groups, including preschool. I was glad that there was a separate chapter for preschool, as other materials I've looked at assume the kid in question is older (perhaps near the end of elementary school or in middle school). It helps you to recognize behaviors that may indicate ADHD and provides assistance in how to support your child. For older children, it also includes strategies for helping them to advocate for themselves.

I still don't know if my son has ADHD or not, but I feel more prepared for any eventual diagnosis with this information under my belt. I'd recommend this book to any parent or caregiver in a similar situation.

[Amerynth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In full disclosure, I received a free copy of Mary Anne Richey's book "Raising Boys with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Successful Happy Sons" from LT's Early Reviewer's program.

I found the book to be an excellent primer on ADHD, the behaviors you might see in young boys, as well as some tips to help with parenting. I have to say that there wasn't a lot that was terribly new in the elementary years section (as we've been dealing with ADHD for a long time now) and many of the strategies she lists are ones that we've happened upon that work well (so I can attest that they work at least.)

We aren't there yet, so I haven't given a ton of thought to ADHD in the middle school and teen years (and parts of this book terrified me -- from teen pregnancy to driving) -- those section were very eye opening and I appreciated all of the tips and information she presents.

If your child was recently diagnosed or you are looking for new ideas to try, this book is a very good primer on ADHD.

[Erik Zweigle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be light on specific actions or activities which could be undertaken to help improve a boy with ADHD's lifestyle. It seemed all very common advice - limit TV/video game time, implement 504/IEP plan with school, play to his strengths, get him in sports/outdoors, help him learn skills to cope with his disability.

I skipped the chapter on teenage years since my son is a kindergartener but I doubt I'll hold onto this book long enough to read that section. It just isn't that valuable of a reference document.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta stick this one in my back pocket and read every few years. Nothing like reading a parenting book I can actually relate to. I’ve read so many parenting books trying to figure out my kid and I finally found one that speaks to me!

[Jovy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for parents whose kids are hyperactive and is diagnosed with ADHD. You will be doing yourself and your kid a great favor. You will understand that you are not alone. You can try and apply some strategies mentioned in the book. You will be able to relate to many things mentioned.

[Libbie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be really insightful and helpful for specifically raising a son with ADHD. I appreciated that they started in toddler hood and went completely to the teenage years. I will definitely recommend this book to others.

[Daniel G Keohane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ironically I seemed to not have the attention span to fi ish. However, the first half had some good points, though, mostly high level, understanding their side type of things. Never made it to any practical advice if there was more in second half

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good basic book about ADHD. It breaks things down into general age groupings so you can read more specific advice. It seems geared primarily towards parents whose child’s ADHD is quite debilitating. Still some good nuggets for parents or educators.

[Kadi Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to help parents with ADHD boys know that they are not crazy! I have struggled for years with dealing with my child and wondering what I did wrong. Once I finally asked for help from school and doctor, I found out I was not parenting incorrectly. Good book!!

[Susan Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good starter information. Some of the alternative educational opportunities are not affordable for many families, but good information on what is available and how to get the most out of your child's schooling system.

[Ricky Geerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lack of relevance to Australia, but over all a good read with some interesting perspectives and practical ideas

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction with practical suggestions. Now to follow through.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for those who have sons with ADHD.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the topic (authors are well suited for it), but very basic/simplistic language. If you’ve read other books or dig into the science at all, this will be very basic.

[Scotty Jinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focused too much on the teenage years, although I may change my tune once I have a teen.

[Ileana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was a great book for a parent that needs an easy overview of ADHD. I found it very helpful!! It cleared up questions I didn’t even know I had.

[Becky Schulman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wish this book had been available when my oldest was a child, but I feel somewhat vindicated with the many things I've learned and implemented since my grandson was diagnosed.

[Nisarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive

[Erin Nugent · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot packed in this short book. Information needs to be updated, I jumped around quite a bit just trying to find information to pertained to my situation.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting book

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book beneficial as a professional and as a parent in providing helpful information in supporting kids with adhd over the course of their youth.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to read with clear organization of information. I learned a lot and was given a lot to think about. I feel this book will help me better advocate for my son and help him learn to manage his ADHD symptoms.

[Lewie Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is best used by parents as a guide for use with their sons, just as in the title, the work is set up in such a manner that guides parents from a overall meaning of what ADHD is to offering guides to deal with what can come up in life of a male.
The work is filled with case histories as examples of what has occurred in the lives of others who are dealing with ADHD. The chapters deal with all that is involved with determining that the male does in fact have ADHD and how parents need to learn how to deal with the condition. The work explains how to use the book to get the most out of it. It gives several management and treatment options for parents to use during the life of the male. It also covers issues and how to deal with them as the male starts their education and carries it on until the male reaches post secondary education.
This work has been revised in this second edition and has been updated with information from later research and trails of educators in the field. The work is filled with charts and grafts and check lists that will aid the parent in getting more for their male child thru this critical phase of life. This work can also be used by educators as a guide to assist the parents of their students who fall within the scope of the work.
So if you know a male that has been determined to or suspected of having ADHD then this work needs to be examined.

[Karen Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

While ADHD presentations are becoming more common in my clinic, I have been searching for an easy to understand the helpful guide for parents. Kids with ADHD- hyperactive subtype diagnoses are sometimes struggling in the school environment both academically and socially because they are simply too interested - IN EVERYTHING at the SAME TIME.
I have a bunch of beautiful parents who have worked so hard at making things work for their children that they are exhausted. To be honest, a session with a child with ADHD can be exhausting trying to keep up with the many interests they may have.
This book is really empathetic to the struggles parents will go through. And provides really practical tips for parents.

This book is helpful in that it's got a separate chapter for each period of development.

More at: http://couragepsyc.blogspot.com.au/20...

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book on the topic that I have read. I can't really assess the book's quality until I've read others of a similar nature. As it stands, it seems to cover details of parenting boys with ADHD in a non-technical manner. Much of the advice given with regards to boys with ADHD seems to be applicable to all parenting, perhaps just more necessary for some boys with additional difficulties.

I was not so favorably impressed with the idea that a boy with ADHD should tell people right away about their condition. So much of what people observe is based on what they expect. Telling someone that you have a mental condition seems to predispose them to expect unfavorable behavior. It also seems to provide some sort of an excuse for your own poor behavior.. "It's beyond my control." I would be leery of these to aspects of this particular advice, but I must admit I am not an expert in the field and my opinion is not very weighty.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful that I read this book. It has truly opened my eyes to understanding the challenges that my son faces, and what we can do to help him meet and overcome those challenges. It is very well written, interesting to read, and easy to understand and apply. Both of the authors have sons with ADHD, and both have professional experience working with boys with ADHD in school and counseling settings. They cover the challenges and concerns for boys with ADHD from preschool through college, and gives so much detailed, helpful advice in many, many areas, including: selecting the best school/education options for your son, communicating with teachers and administration at your son's school, seeking professional help when needed, disciplining him at home and helping him build on his strengths, develop healthy self-esteem, and feel unconditional love and support.

[morninglightmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, by far, the best of the many books I've read about parenting children with ADHD, being the most comprehensive and easiest to immediately apply to real life. It's focus on boys with ADHD made it 100% applicable to my life as a parent, and it was eerily on target with describing our experiences at home and with our son in school. I appreciated the fact that it addresses how ADHD can manifest itself throughout a child's life, from preschool through the late teen years. This book has shot to the top of my list of recommendations on the topic.

[Heather Fielden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to start out reading with a new diagnosis... it gave me some great nuggets of insight. It was very informational, and I found myself reading to the questions in my head that I never spoke out loud. There is a large section on teens, and I skipped that for I am still just with a 2nd grader. I am keeping this book, it is highlighted and sticky noted. It felt like there were lots of action steps, I need to go back and re-read.