8 Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD

by Cindy Goldrich

Compassionate and effective strategies for raising a child with ADHD.

Parenting children with ADHD, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, can be challenging and complex. But just as a child who struggles with reading can learn to decode words, children with ADHD can learn patience, communication, and solution-seeking skills to become more confident, independent, and capable. This book, rich with optimism, tips, tools, and action plans, offers science-based insights and systems for parents to help cultivate these skills.

Combining expert information with practical, sensitive advice, the eight “key” concepts here will help parents reduce chaos, improve cooperation, and nurture the advantages―like creativity and drive―that often accompany all of that energy. Herself the mother of an ADHD child, Cindy Goldrich’s methods are tested not only in her daily work counseling other parents but also in her own home. Tactics for calm, collaboration, consistency, establishing consequences, and “parenting the child you have” deliver effective support for out-of-control children and overwhelmed parents alike.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Adhd, Audiobook, Self Help, Science, Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2015

About the author

Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, is a mental health counselor, certified ADHD Clinical Service Provider, parent coach and teacher trainer. As an ADHD Specialist, she supports parents, educators, and other professionals to mitigate the impact of ADHD & Executive Functioning on learning, motivation, and behavior.
Cindy provides professional development and parent coaching to thousands of people worldwide. Her involvement with both populations allows her to combine each group's needs to create a strong circle of support for all involved.
Cindy received her Master's in Education in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, and her ADHD coach certification from the Institute for Certified ADHD Professionals. She has trained with Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. Ross Greene. Cindy is a recognized Keynote speaker, author of 8 Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD and ADHD, Executive Function, and Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom: Managing the Impact on Learning, Motivation, and Stress and creator of the nationally recognized workshop series “Calm and Connected: Parenting Kids with ADHD \ Executive Function Challenges©” designed to teach parents and caregivers how to manage and support their children's unique needs successfully. Cindy is on the editorial advisory board of CHADD’s Attention Magazine. Through her ADHD Parent Coach Academy, she trains other professionals to become ADHD parent coaches.

Reviews

[JTGlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid and fast read for the topic, but this is a good parenting book overall.

I would even recommend it to educators if they have the time and want to know more about how to support students and incorporate some of the strategies.

I counted over 5 typos, so that bugged me.

[Kari Olfert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for parents of kids with ADHD, this book covers all ground on this subject which can help you feel less isolated if you're in this situation.

[Jennifer Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish someone had given me this book while my son was in early elementary school. I learned some of it while he was in behavioral counseling to build his coping toolbox, but I might have made some better parenting decisions if I had this book to reference from time to time. I highly recommend this book if you have a kid with ADHD.

[Kelsey Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and practical!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for parents,educators or social workers!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative, full of insights into behavior and brain function, as well as tips and tricks to help children function better, learn life skills and coping mechanisms, and also on how to best parent a child with ADHD. The end of the book contains useful tools to help with getting the adjustments and accommodations needed in school. I've read a lot of articles and books on parenting and disciplining children, and this was hands down the most helpful and insightful one I've ever read. Thank you!

[Danielle Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. I would highly recommend this book to folks who are relatively new to what ADHD is, what it looks like, or how to handle/support a kiddo with ADHD. It is laid out well, easy to understand, and based on the current science and educational psych. I can attest that a lot of these methods work astonishingly well.

That said, if you've been parenting a kid with ADHD, ASD, SPD, or any other neurological difference for any amount of time, a lot of this might be old hat for you.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...Wow!!! I'll just start out by saying every parent with a child with ADHD needs a copy of this book to use often. I spent years trying to figure out what works with my children and still struggle. After reading this book, I have a new outlook on myself and my children. It's a struggle when the whole family has ADHD but now I know it's manageable and I can do it one step at a time.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book, For learning ways to deal with things at home, at school, with teachers, and administration. I gave it a 4 to 5 because I haven’t tried any of them yet know how effective they are.

[Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5; excellent strategies and information provided. Would have appreciated information about specific ages children (not mentioned), just names and situations as well as how to help children de-escalate after power struggles.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some good ideas, but I felt like some tips weren’t as applicable for girls with ADD/ADHD. I really liked that it builds on The Explosive Child. This would be a good resource to own and to revisit from time to time.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Daniel Demarle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful read

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful listen if you have a child with ADHD. Great insights and tips to help them live their best life.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource that helped me understand my kid's needs a little better.

[Lauren Fee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offered common sensical advice to parenting a child with ADHD that mostly all rang true with my spirit which was surprising to me for a secular self-help book. Her early explanations of ADHD were clear and I appreciated the framework she set up for parenting the child you have. I tried to take it pretty slow and apply most of the points for reflection. I would recommend to someone grappling with an ADHD diagnosis for one of their children, but I do not believe it would be sufficient on its own. I still feel the need to do a little bit more digging, but it provided a helpful start for my husband and I's processing of our son's diagnosis.

[JuliannaM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really trust and appreciate the "8 Keys" series, and for this addition, specifically the information offered about what the clusters of experiences clinically understood as ADHD are.

That being said, I'm not sure how well all the parenting recommendations landed and there is a definitive class and race bias implicit in the writing: this is for wealthy to middle class white families with neuro divergent children.

[Callie Hornbuckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

No diagnoses of ADHD in my household - yet - but wanted to do some initial reading to get a handle on the idea. This isn’t earth shattering info, but it is solid parenting advice coming from an expert in coaching/counseling children with ADHD. I appreciated the descriptions of what executive dysfunction looks like and the concrete tips on how to help kids improve in the areas where they struggle.

[Matthew Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine, nothing mind-blowing. I'm honestly less concerned/stressed about if my daughter has ADHD. If she does, it seems like a mild and manageable case. There are some good tips in here that are probably good overall parenting tips. The main ADHD one that I need to figure out is pre-planned consequences so that expectations are crystal clear and not made up on the spot.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook.
Good parenting advice in general, and especially for parenting ADHD children who can be more difficult than neurotypical children. The author explained everything in a way that the reader can relate and comprehend.
Most of the advice was about things that I already believe is best and try to practice, but this book was a nice reinforcement for me.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It might be a good book if you've never read any child development or research related to neurodivergent kids. However, I have, and this book was just a regurgitation of other people's research I was already familiar with.

[Carol 云开落 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay. Not in a mood of learning at the time of reading. It's a collection of things you already learned other places. Love, connection, clear instruction, consequences, say fact not judgement, those stuffs. But when you are to do it, you use your instinct instead.

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I had the hard copy instead of audiobook to break it down and study it better. Great tips and resources and reminders to help your kids with ADHD. It is 10 yrs old but still found it helpful.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good pointers. What I got most from it was rethinking my daughter's actions to be because of her ADHD vS knowing how to press my buttons!
Also, understanding that she's living in the RIGHT NOW and doesn't consider those implications: exam next day, "hey wanna go out tonight?, SURE!!!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice overview of ADHD with resources listed. Unfortunately, the numerous errors made it difficult to read. It needed better editing.

[Christine Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful!!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good planning tool to manage your child's ADHD.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the action steps for parents to take. Actually gave me advice on what to do.

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great tips for parenting in general, made a lot of notes, would love to see a summarized bullet point list of top tips from the whole book.

[Sophie Mirgaux de Pina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now all I have to do is change my entire personality and I've got it ;)