n their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the objectWere you surprised to learn that you had ADD (attention deficit disorder) when you took your son or daughter to the doctor to find out why they had difficulty paying attention? You probably also learned that there is a 25 - 35% probability that if you have ADD, your child will too. Don't blame yourself! It's not your fault. It's just simple genetics that you have no control over, and if you take a negative attitude, it can depress you. On the other hand, you may have been relieved to finally have an answer to feelings you've had since childhood but could never put a finger on. Put any negativity out of your mind right now! Focus on your strengths and weaknesses, and in the process you'll probably lose your bad feelings. Taking positive action leads to having success with ADD, for both you and your child with ADD.

When you're married with a family, you may find that ADD tendencies make life stressful. American households have traditionally been the responsibility of the woman to organize, though things are changing. But when you're it, and you can't quite meet up to the societal pressures, feelings of guilt may also enter the picture. This whole scenario is compounded when you work outside your home.

You need some ADD-friendly ways to help you.

If you do well at work, but are a complete basket case when it comes to making things work at home, it's probably because there are schedules at work that go well with your ADD. But our homes usually don't have the same structures. Things just go along as they come up. But making schedules at home can be a great way to make things less stressful for you, especially if you work outside the home and have far less time to cope with all the expectations that accompany family life.

Household chores do not have to be your exclusive domain. Your partner should be responsible for some of the home chores, and if you have kids, depending on their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the object

ieved to finally have an answer to feelings you've had since childhood but could never put a finger on. Put any negativity out of your mind right now! Focus on your strengths and weaknesses, and in the process you'll probably lose your bad feelings. Taking positive action leads to having success with ADD, for both you and your child with ADD.

When you're married with a family, you may find that ADD tendencies make life stressful. American households have traditionally been the responsibility of the woman to organize, though things are changing. But when you're it, and you can't quite meet up to the societal pressures, feelings of guilt may also enter the picture. This whole scenario is compounded when you work outside your home.

You need some ADD-friendly ways to help you.

If you do well at work, but are a complete basket case when it comes to making things work at home, it's probably because there are schedules at work that go well with your ADD. But our homes usually don't have the same structures. Things just go along as they come up. But making schedules at home can be a great way to make things less stressful for you, especially if you work outside the home and have far less time to cope with all the expectations that accompany family life.

Household chores do not have to be your exclusive domain. Your partner should be responsible for some of the home chores, and if you have kids, depending on their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the object

n the responsibility of the woman to organize, though things are changing. But when you're it, and you can't quite meet up to the societal pressures, feelings of guilt may also enter the picture. This whole scenario is compounded when you work outside your home.

You need some ADD-friendly ways to help you.

If you do well at work, but are a complete basket case when it comes to making things work at home, it's probably because there are schedules at work that go well with your ADD. But our homes usually don't have the same structures. Things just go along as they come up. But making schedules at home can be a great way to make things less stressful for you, especially if you work outside the home and have far less time to cope with all the expectations that accompany family life.

Household chores do not have to be your exclusive domain. Your partner should be responsible for some of the home chores, and if you have kids, depending on their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the object

l with your ADD. But our homes usually don't have the same structures. Things just go along as they come up. But making schedules at home can be a great way to make things less stressful for you, especially if you work outside the home and have far less time to cope with all the expectations that accompany family life.

Household chores do not have to be your exclusive domain. Your partner should be responsible for some of the home chores, and if you have kids, depending on their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the object

n their ages, you may be able to delegate some of the chores to them, too. Around 5 years old, they should be able to do simple things like set the table. As the kids get older, delegate more complex chores like sorting the laundry. They can and should help out and take over some of the stuff you're expected to have done, but that's falling through the cracks. And don't think of it as pawning off your own responsibilities on your children. Though that's the benefit, the object should also be to teach them responsibility. If you include an allowance in exchange for the work they do, you'll also teach them the value of money. How great is that?

Then, decide what you're still totally responsible for handling, and schedule those tasks in. For instance, on Monday, do the vacuuming. On Tuesday, maybe it's the grocery store. Wednesday might be laundry day or whatever. Get some kind of planner that you always have access to, and write it all down or use some electronic version that will schedule repeat tasks automatically. But when you see all these things in writing, suddenly, they don't seem so daunting. Plus, you won't have to worry that you forgot to do something because it will be right there, in front of you.

Waking up and going to bed at around the same time every day may be helpful, too. Eat your main meals at the same time every day. Do things with your kids at the same time every day and so on. Though not everything in life should be structured, having a loose idea of what's going on during the day will make you feel more secure. And if you work outside your home, try having "nights," like "pizza night," "fun night," and "learning night," or something like that. It will help you to know what to do when you're too tired to figure something out.

Be particularly aware if you have ADD bouts of temper. When things get really hectic, be careful that you don't take it out on your kids. Things can get crazy at times like dinner when you're trying to prepare a meal and the kids get into some mischief with the TV blaring and the cat trying to trip your every step. Don't let it totally frustrate you and make you want to explode!

As you know, we can't control all situations, and distractions make us irritable when we're trying to concentrate and can't. So, when you're doing something complex, like cooking for example, ask someone else to be referee in