Quick tips for managing time

QUICK TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR
ADULTS
QUICK TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR
CHILDREN
TIME MANAGEMENT AROUND THE
HOUSE
TIME MANAGEMENT AND SPECIAL
EVENTS
 HOW PLAY ATTENTION CAN HELP
Time management
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T I M E M A N A G E M E N T .
time man·age·ment
noun
the ability to use one's time effec-
tively or productively, especially at
work.
"time management is the key to
efficient working"
The definition seems so simple.
Then why is time management so
difficult for children and adults with
ADHD?
Being able to manage time and meet
deadlines requires you to be able to
plan, prioritize, organize, avoid procras-
tination, and remain on task. These
skills are all very difficult for both chil-
dren and adults with ADHD.
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Difficulty with time management often leads to:
 Homework not turned in on time – or at all
 Kids being picked up late from school
 Missed deadlines
 Job loss
 Upsetting friends and family members who are always left
waiting for you
 Oversleeping
 Stress
 Frustration
 Lost opportunities.
The good news is that all is not lost! There are organizational
tips and strategies you can use to become more successful, pro-
ductive, and efficient.

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Quick Tips for Adults
 Check what time you have to be at an appointment. Make your
plans and leave for that appointment in time to be 15 minutes
early.
 Use an online calendar that will allow you to make note of how
long the scheduled task or appointment will take. The online
calendar will alert you if you try to overbook yourself.
 Always prepare your clothes, briefcase, and meals the night
before.
 Keep a planner that allows you to not only schedule appoint-
ments but organize and prioritize tasks.
 Set your watch or online calendar to give you auditory and vis-
ual prompts throughout the day to remind you about upcoming
events.

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Quick Tips for Adults
 Make a list of tasks that seem to take you too long and search
out free apps that can help you manage these tasks. For ex-
ample, if you spend way too much time at the grocery store or
you find yourself going to the grocery store every night be-
cause you never make a list. Find an app for your phone or
tablet that will allow you to keep a running list throughout the
day. Remember to check off each item you purchase when
you do go to the store.
 Keep a “to do” list but be certain to prioritize them. Keep one
list of what has to be done today and another list of what can
be done later that week.

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Quick Tips for Children
 Teach your child how to predict and plan. Assign a task. Ask
the child how long they think that task will take. Tell the child
when that task needs to be done. Ask the child when they should
start to complete in time. Be certain to time the task so you can
reflect on what was learned about timing and planning.
 Have them pack backpacks and lay out clothes the night be-
fore.
 Post routine checklists to follow.
 Set 2 types of alarm clock alerts. For example if dinner is go-
ing to be in 30 minutes, one alarm will go off in 25 minutes. At
that time, the child knows he has to start cleaning up because he
only has 5 minutes left. At 30 minutes the second alarm rings
alerting him to the actual dinner time.
 Make certain the child has a planner that is checked at home
and at school.
 Plan backwards. If the child is given a large assignment, ask
them to plan backwards. If the term paper is due on Friday, what
should you do on Thursday night? If you write the final draft on
Thursday night, what should be completed on Wednesday night?
Sometimes it is easier for children to plan working from the end
goal back.

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Calendars and Lists
In order to manage your time, you must know what activities, ap-
pointments, and special events are scheduled.
Creating calendars and chore lists can remove a lot of the guess-
work for those who have a hard time remembering and prioritiz-
ing time.
Additionally, children on the autistic spectrum tend to like routine
and sometimes don’t adjust well to changes or unexpected
events. It is important that you understand how to help in these
cases.
All of life cannot be scheduled or calendared out, but we certainly
can create routines and stay inside the parameters of those rou-
tines as much as possible. If your ADHD child can see upcoming
events and plan for them, you will be setting them up for suc-
cess.
For instance, let’s just say your family is going to dinner at your
sister’s house on Sunday in two weeks. Your married sister has
no children, has a dog and a cat, and has purchased a home
with a playhouse in the backyard. So you write “Dinner at Aunt
Sue’s” on the family calendar. You strategically place the calen-
dar where the children can see it.
There is obvious turmoil by the look on his/her face and pouting
when your child sees the event on the calendar.
“What’s up, buddy?”

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Calendars and Lists
“Mom, I hate going to Aunt Sue’s. There’s no one to play with
and there’s nothing to do. It’s boring.”
“Well honey, I know Aunt Sue doesn’t have any kids, but remem-
ber she just bought a house that has that really cool playhouse.
And remember last time we were there you played with the
neighbor boy and threw a ball for Aunt Sue’s dog? You had a
really great time.”
This type of dialogue goes a long way for a child who may strug-
gle with memory. It turns an unpleasant situation around. The
calendar insures that it’s not done as you’re running out the door
to Aunt Sue’s house. You’ve invested the time at the right time.
This is also time to interject possible scenarios to deal with the
unexpected.
“The Saturday before we go, we will have to put together a bag
of toys and things for you to do in case it rains or the neighbor
boy isn’t home. That way you’ll have things to do, not to mention
that Aunt Sue lets you throw a ball for the dog in the basement.
And remember that cake she makes that you love? I can’t wait to
see Aunt Sue!”
So it’s also a great idea to add “Get Toy Bag Ready” on the cal-
endar so that everyone remembers to get this done in time for
Sunday.
Use your calendar to plan out weekly events (grocery shopping,
soccer, birthday parties). Remember not to over schedule. Kids
need down time. They need unorganized activities to teach them
hierarchy, unplanned teamwork, and just to have a little outdoor
fun. You can also put play dates on the calendar.

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Set Up Routines
When dealing with a child with AD/HD much success comes from
setting up routines and sticking to them. It helps establish consis-
tency and lands expectations. Many times your AD/HD child may
know what needs to be done, but has a hard time prioritizing the
tasks at hand.
It’s important to understand that it takes time to set up routines
that are consistent and become ingrained. Normally, changes in
behaviors take 21 to 30 days before they become habit.
Think about a routine that you tried to establish for yourself. If
you were successful, it’s probably because you established the
routine, executed on it, and were consistent.
So let’s just say you’re setting up a morning routine for your child.
As it stands now, things are chaotic in the morning, always look-
ing for the lost shoe, homework left in the bedroom, teeth rarely
brushed, etc. To establish a consistent routine, you may want to
start with a checklist. It may look something like this:
√ Eat Breakfast
√ Get Dressed
√ Brush Your Teeth
√ Make sure everything is in your backpack
Keep things simple. Set your child up for success. If your check-
list includes too many things—like make your bed, make your
lunch, etc.—and your child doesn’t have time to do them, you’re
setting them up for failure.

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Set Up Routines
It’s important to understand that a checklist is designed to suc-
cessfully get them to the goal, which in this case is getting ready
for school.
Since mornings are hectic, it’s not recommended that you over-
load it with chores that can be done after school. Just focus on
what is needed. The only other thing you may want to add is:
√ Watch TV when 1-4 are completed.
You’ll be amazed how quickly and efficiently the list gets com-
pleted.

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Good Mornings!
Hello morning madness!
Morning times can be a tremendously difficult time of day. You
are trying to get yourself to work, lunches packed, homework
signed, and kids out the door all in a timely manner.
This can cause a bit of stress in any home. A harried morning
can really affect the rest of your day. Be certain that you take
some steps to organize yourself, your children, and your spouse.
Create a morning that is truly a good morning!
 On the weekends and during holidays parents tend to be less
strict on bedtimes, mainly because mornings are much more
relaxed and schedules are looser. You should always have a
school bedtime/wake up routine in place, especially if your lit-
tle one is hard to get out of bed. You may want to set an alarm
to start that routine or have a special wake up song that plays
at a consistent time in the morning.
 To take it one step further, once up have your child eat break-
fast and dress for the day. This will help establish the routine
before the school day.
The night before:
 Everyone lays out his or her clothes for the next day.
 Set the breakfast table so children can have easy access to
everything they will need for breakfast.
 Make certain backpacks are packed with homework and all
permission slips etc., are signed.
 Pack lunches.

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Good Mornings!
Organization:
 Have a checklist for the morning routine for children to follow.
Children can check off each step as it is completed.
 Have specific places for items. For example, make certain to
put your car keys on a rack, jacket in closet and purse on the
table by the door. Be consistent. This will help you avoid look-
ing for lost items in the morning.
 Teach your child the focus and behavioral techniques neces-
sary for learning and increase their academic performance.
 Play Attention integrates feedback technology with cognitive
skill training and behavior shaping.
 You may learn more about Play Attention at one of our upcom-
ing Speed Webinars. At the webinar you can learn how Play
Attention can help your child develop coping skills that will last
a lifetime.
 Speed Webinars: http://www.playattention.com/speed-webinar/

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Homework Time
Homework time is a huge challenge for a lot of families. Children with
ADHD cannot seem to start the homework in a timely manner and stay on
task until completion. This often results in 15 minutes of homework taking
2 hours and a fight!
You can definitely take some steps to help with this process and reclaim
your nights!
Set up a special Homework Center:
Do you send your child to her room to do homework? Is the room so full
of distractions that it is impossible for her to stay on task? Is your child
constantly wasting time before homework because she cannot find the
materials she needs?
Your solution: Create a special homework center with your child and elimi-
nate the distractions and wasted time. The more you get your child in-
volved in this process the more special the area becomes to your child!
1. Find an area that is conducive to doing homework. It should not be in
the center of the home where there are lots of visual and auditory distrac-
tions. To get your child involved in the decision making process pick out 3
areas and let her choose which area she would like the best.
2. Make a list. Sit down with your child and make a list of all of the items
needed in the homework center. Items may include pens, pencils, lined
paper, an in-box for homework assignments, an out-box for completed as-
signments, calculator, bookshelf, scissors, trashcan etc. If you plan wisely
there should be no more, "but mom I can't find...".

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Homework Time
3. Make certain you have a clean workspace with a comfortable
chair. You may choose to include a bean bag so she can be nice
and comfy when reading. You may want to include a chair for
yourself so you will have a spot when reviewing the homework.
4. Have a timer. Timers are a great way to teach time manage-
ment. Include a timer in the homework area so you can set up
time limits for different assignments.
5. Post a bulletin board so you can post good grades, personal
goals, or a reward board.
Taking the time now to create a special homework center with
your child can save you a lot of time and energy in the end. And
it may just make homework time a little more enjoyable!

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Task Completion
Accomplishing daily tasks is often extremely difficult for both children
and adults with ADHD. When a task is given, there is often a sense
of being overwhelmed, of not knowing how to start, or of never being
able finish. Because of this, ADHD school children fight with mom &
dad over homework, and ADHD adults often find their jobs jeopard-
ized.
The following tips can help accomplish tasks and avoid frustration:
1. When doing worksheet homework, cover part of the worksheet
with a piece of paper so the child isn't overwhelmed with the amount
of work on the page. Tell your child to not worry about the number of
problems on the page - just complete the first 3 questions for now.
Avoid overwhelming your child by breaking down assignments into
smaller manageable pieces.
2. Cleaning up often can seem overwhelming when you look at entire
room or the whole house. Again, break down the chore; choose just
one section and stay there until it is complete. For example, instead
of instructing your child to clean his entire room, break the task into
parts. Say, "Please put your toys in the toy chest. You’ve got five
minutes." Set a timer for five minutes. Provide lots of positive rein-
forcement when that portion is done. Set another small cleaning
task. Set the timer. Repeat. As an adult you can use the same strat-
egy. Instead of looking at the entire house as a task that must be
tackled, assign yourself one achievable task. Put the dishes
away. Set a timer. Remain on that task until completion and then add
another small task.

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Task Completion
3. When there is a long term project due either for school or
work, instead of trying to decide how you are going to get the en-
tire project done in two weeks. Focus on what part of the project
you can accomplish within the next hour. When that portion is
complete, write a goal and a date to complete the next part.
4. Working together can be a great way to provide motivation and
teach your child how to stay on task. Find a task you can com-
plete as a family. Model how to break the task down and work
together until the task is completed. The more you model how to
successfully complete a task, the easier it will become for your
child to develop his/her own strategies for success. If you are an
adult and need help ask a friend or spouse to tackle the task with
you. Partnering can be a fun way to get things done while teach-
ing successful strategies.
Changing your approach to tasks can make all the differ-
ence. You can get things done in a timely manner and feel a
great sense of accomplishment!

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ADHD in Women: Helpful Strategies that Work
Tips for Mothers with ADHD
Typically the woman is the primary family caregiver. Time man-
agement can be a constant struggle for a woman raising children
and keeping the family on track.
“For a woman with ADD (ADHD) her most painful challenge may
be a struggle with her own overwhelming sense of inadequacy in
fulfilling the roles she feels are expected of her by her family and
by society. Both on the job and at home, women are often placed
in the role of caretakers. While men with ADD (ADHD) are ad-
vised to build a support system around themselves, not only do
few women have access to such a support system, society has
traditionally expected women to be the support system. “[1]
“Terry Matlen is a psycho-
therapist, writer, consultant
and ADHD coach specializing
in ADHD in adults, with a spe-
cial focus on women.”[2] She
presents a humanistic, but
common-sense, approach to
the ADHD mother.
“As women, we’re so used to
tending to the needs of others
that we tend to overlook our
own needs,” says Terry. “It’s
hard to admit that you aren’t
perfect, that you can’t do it all,
and that you need help. Ac-
cept your ADD and go with it.”

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“Terry encourages moms to simplify their lives by enlisting the
help of other family members. This helps you and teaches re-
sponsibility at the same time. This delegation also includes solv-
ing problems together. Families work best when they work as a
team. Choose tasks that you enjoy and trade with others in your
family. For example, you do laundry and your husband cooks.
Don’t hesitate to get outside help for chores that create tension in
your relationship. Consider hiring a maid if neither of you is good
at cleaning up.”
“Having ADHD doesn’t make you a bad mother! On the contrary,
having ADHD gives you the ability to empathize with your chil-
dren, come up with creative solutions for problems, and create a
loving, nurturing and exciting home for you and your family.
Learn to appreciate the gifts and minimize the weaknesses of
ADHD.”
The following are more organization and planning tips of Terry’s
that can help you manage your time and family time . . .
 Explain ADD symptoms to your family.
 Solve problems together — no finger pointing: “This is the
problem — how should we solve it?”
 Learn communication strategies.
 Keep a calendar, and use different colored inks for schedules.
 Have down time to re-energize.
 Take time to cool down before getting into a family argument.
 Use a babysitter when you’re working on something at home.

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 Have family meetings.
 Get professional help with managing ADD kids.
 Work as a team.
 Get outside help for chores that create tension in relationships.
 Don’t fight with picky eaters — use vitamins and frequent
healthy snacks.
 Pick your battles.
 Establish quiet time/zones (no TV while eating).
 Establish routines. Write them down, but be flexible.
 Keep explanations short.
 Enlist the ‘no interruptions rule” at dinner table.
 Be consistent — even if it’s difficult.
 Get partner to take over when you feel you’re losing it.
 Problem solve ahead of time. If your child can’t handle crowds,
shop off-hours or leave him home.
 Do as much the night before to avoid morning chaos: packed
lunches, backpacks and briefcase near door, clothes laid out,
and so on.
 Use humor…laugh a little, love a lot .
 Take time away together with spouse. “[3]
RESOURCES:
[1] http://www.addvance.com/help/women/special_issues.html
[2] http://addconsults.com/about/
[3] http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/690.html

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ADHD Adult: Start Pre-Planning for the Holidays
‘Tis the season
When we think of the holiday season, we think of merriment and
cheer, but for some adults with ADHD, this is not always the
case. The shopping, the wrapping, the planning – all require or-
ganization and time management. This can be a challenge for
adults with or without ADHD.
The following is a compilation of great tips and tricks to stay or-
ganized, be efficient, and simplify this “holidazed” time of the
year!
“Don’t forget that you set the tone for your home. Pace yourself
and take well-deserved breaks!
List 1: Holiday Traditions
Create family memories by first holding a family meeting to dis-
cuss each person’s favorite traditions. It’s what you do, not what
you buy, that’s important, so don’t overlook small but significant
family rituals. This list might include:
 Buy one new ornament for the tree
 Keep favorite holiday music going in December
 Hold a cookie baking session with the kids
 Take holiday photos
 Stock up on hot cocoa mix for Sunday evenings

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‘Tis the season
List 2: Holiday Menus and Recipes
Plan to fix your family’s favorites – this is not the time to experi-
ment!
 Plan each course for the major holiday meals
 List all the recipes you will use, noting the cookbook each is in
and page numbers
 List the ingredients you’ll need for each dish
 List any specialty ingredients that you can’t get at the super-
market
 Make a baking ingredients shopping list
List 3: Gifts
Break up your shopping by buying one or two gifts online each
day. If you purchase from catalogs, place orders well before De-
cember 10 – to ensure that items are still in stock and to avoid
express shipping fees. Make a shopping list that details for each
person on the list:
 Whether you will make or buy the gift
 What you’re giving (keep homemade presents simple)
 How much you can spend
 The store or catalog where you’ll buy the gift. If you’re ordering
online or from a catalog, write down the Web site and tracking
number
 Whether the present has been wrapped
 Keep your receipts (in an envelope)

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‘Tis the season
List 4: Dates to Put on Your Calendar
 Fend off procrastination by reviewing this list each week.
 Deadlines for homemade gifts
 Shipping deadlines (mail early!)
 Date to mail cards
 Departure dates (if you’re traveling)
 Arrival dates (if people are visiting)
 Party dates
 School, religious, office, and volunteer functions “[1]
“Louise Kurzeka, Minneapolis-based organizer, has three addi-
tional suggestions to help everyone make the most of their time
and get the best use of their available space using practical, sus-
tainable strategies.

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‘Tis the season
A Gathering Place – Whether you’re having all the relatives over
for Christmas eve dinner or just a few friends for a caroling party,
start by designating a big tub or laundry basket as the gathering
container for items you’ll need. By gathering items as you go and
having just one place to look for them, you’ll be ahead of the
game on the day of your big event.
Mad Money – Budgeting the dollars and cents of holiday spend-
ing can ruin anyone’s mood. But you’ll go from mad to glad if you
simplify the process. Start with a sturdy business size envelope
where you can list your gift recipients. Next to each name, pencil
in the dollar amount you would typically spend on a gift for that
person. Add up the amounts and compare the total to your
checkbook balance. Are you within your budget? Go back to ad-
just the amounts as needed so you don’t end up with a post-
holiday money-hangover!
Wrap it up – Hiding gifts, remembering where they are and dig-
ging them out to wrap them at the last minute is a lot more work
than just wrapping them as you go. Commit to wrapping gifts as
you return from each shopping trip. To make this job easier, de-
cide on a place in the house that can serve as a gift-wrap center;
a corner of the basement, a spare bedroom, even the formal din-
ing room (comes with its own wrapping table!)

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‘Tis the season
Choose a place out of the main traffic areas. If needed add a
card table so you’ll have a raised flat surface to use for wrapping.
Stand wrapping paper rolls upright in a new garbage barrel or
large pail.
Place gift bags and tissue in one of the larger sized Ziploc plastic
tote bags. Use another for bows, ribbon, gift tags, scissors and
tape. The see-through bags make for a quick search for what you
want and need.
Unless you really enjoy the art of gift-wrapping, ditch the flat pa-
per wrap. Bags are much faster (and reusable, so they’re envi-
ronmentally friendly.)
Making just a few changes in how you handle common holiday
chores can leave you with more time to enjoy the spirit of the
season with the special people of your life.”[2]
[1] http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/903.html
[2] https://add.org/organized-for-the-holidays/

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Holiday Time Management: Holiday Dress Rehearsal
Practice behavior and manners before your visit
You hope that all will go well on the way to grandma’s house.
Things go well in the car, but as the door opens at her house,
your child turns into a Tasmanian Devil! A whirling dervish of
mayhem that grates on family members and causes you un-
needed embarrassment and stress. Here are some tips that can
help prevent your child turning into a Tasmanian Devil.
1. Schedule, schedule, schedule. You and your child can sit to-
gether in a quiet place and draw a timeline with pictures. Start
with a drawing of your car at your house with the time you’ll be
leaving placed just below the car. Mark a point on the timeline
where snacks will be eaten, where you’ll stop for lunch, take a
restroom break, etc. Encourage your child to document your
trip on the timeline including sights along the way, unique cars
they see, towns you pass, etc. This gives your child structure,
a sense of participation, and keeps him occupied.
2. New or different environments can cause rambunctious behav-
ior. It can be difficult for your child to control himself with the
added excitement of the holidays. To minimize inappropriate
behaviors and maximize holiday cheer, rehearse the event be-
fore hand. Assign family members a part in the rehearsal; you
and your child will play yourselves.

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Holiday Time Management: Holiday Dress Rehearsal
Practice behavior and manners before your visit
Select one other family member to play the role of the friend or family
member whose house you’ll be visiting. Brainstorm with your child Act
I, Act II, Act III, and Act IV. Act I, driving to person’s house. Act II, be-
ing greeted at the door and spending time with the host prior to din-
ner. Act III, dinner. Act IV, activity after dinner and goodbyes. For each
Act, discuss expectations and timelines. After this discussion, you
should act out and rehearse each part of your ‘play’. Take the oppor-
tunity to redirect when behaviors are inappropriate and provide posi-
tive feedback when your child displays desired behaviors during your
rehearsal. An interactive dress rehearsal will allow your child to de-
velop a clear understanding of expectations over the holidays.
3. Use a secret code. A word like “snowball” or a gesture like touching
the tip of your nose can be your secret code to your child that means
they need to adjust their current behavior. Allowing your child to prac-
tice this during your dress rehearsal can be fun and will keep you
from having to yell or discipline your child in front of family.
4. Make the most of your child’s talents. Recite a poem, do magic
tricks, take care of a younger child, present the host with some art-
work they did while waiting for dinner, set the table, or sing holiday
songs.
5. Prep other family members you’ll see over the holidays, and ask
them to provide positive praise for good behavior. This can make a
world of difference.
Remember this is a very exciting and stimulating time. If you have a
child that is easily overexcited, the holidays can easily exacerbate
this. A little preparation clearly defining your expectations can lead to
a far merrier and less stressful holiday season.

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Holiday Time Management: Organization
Keeping your ADHD child organized
Ever think, “How in the world am I ever going to get my ADHD
child to be organized?” You’re not alone. The holidays are a great
time to teach organization.
List making (that’s right — check it twice) is an essential part of
the holidays to insure that all family members will be happy.
There’s no better time to teach organization through list making
than the holidays. Sit down with your child and not only make a
list, but prioritize it from most important items to least. Other key
ideas are listed below:
1.Grocery list for a family meal. Place a check-mark next to items
your child can reach on the shelf. Planning together is a bonding
experience and being a helper is a great self-esteem booster.
2. Make placeholders at the holiday dinner table. List all the
items you’ll need to make them like paper, glue, markers, etc.
List how much of each item you’ll think you’ll need.
3. Make a list of stocking stuffers. Estimate the cost and stay
within a budget! This is a great way to teach money skills too!
4. Make a list of people who will receive holiday cards. Catego-
rize them as family, friends, or others like teachers or coaches.
As parent, one of your primary goals is to get this list making to
be a habit that transfers to school and other aspects of life.
Questions like, “How could you use this at school?” during the
activity will assist you with transfer. You’ll be teaching a valuable
skill, and they won’t even know it!

Time management
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Holiday Time Management: Sleep
“I can’t sleep!”
Can’t get them to sleep because they’re too wired during the holi-
days? It’s important to take a few minutes at the end of the day to
sit in a quiet spot and talk about how the day went. Take that
same time to review the schedule for tomorrow. Remember,
fewer surprises means smoother days to an ADHD child. You
can review the day’s schedule (both successes and failures) ver-
bally and visually. Post successes on the fridge and briefly plan
for tomorrow. Doing this on a regular basis may seem a chore for
both of you at first, but adhering to this will settle their minds for a
full night’s sleep and get them prepared for the following day. Ad-
ditionally, it teaches them effective time management while help-
ing you maintain your sanity!

Time management
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Travel Tips
Whether you’re an ADHD adult or the parent of a child with
ADHD, preparing for travel can be very stressful. A lack of time
management, organizational, & planning skills can result in miss-
ing the plane or forgetting important items as you rush out the
door.
Here are some tips that can be used by adults and parents alike:
 Make a list of items that need to be packed. This can be
started weeks in advance so that items can be added as
things come to mind.
 Many people pack more than enough clothes for their trip.
 Consider scaling back. If you’re renting a house for the week,
it will likely have laundry facilities. One load of laundry during
the week will freshen clothes to be worn again.
 Bring entertainment for the trip. Boredom during a long car
ride can be a nightmare. With onboard DVD players, travel
versions of board games, or a favorite hand-held device, there
are plenty of options.
 Be prepared to stop for stretch breaks. Whether you’re flying,
driving, or travelling by train, ADHD folks have a difficult time
sitting for long periods of time. Rest areas along the highway
have safe places for running around. Walking up and down the
aisle of a train or plane when it’s safe can be a great way to
burn energy.

Time management
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Travel Tips
 Find a routine wherever you go. Once settled in, establish a
routine that fits into your vacation. Mealtime together, swim time,
and chill time are all important things to fit into a vacation sched-
ule. Since people with ADHD like consistency, establishing a rou-
tine will make the trip less stressful.
 Be flexible. Scheduling every moment of a vacation can create
the same rigidity as everyday life. Vacations should be more
about “go with the flow” and let the natural course of events take
place.
 Scope out where the playgrounds are. There’s nothing like a
quick trip to a nearby playground to allow your energetic child to
release some of that energy.
 Buy a kite. Kites sold today are very interactive. So investing
in an interactive kite for the beach is a great way to keep yourself
or your child entertained for hours.

Time management
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on your future
Video Games
Video games may be one of the biggest time management is-
sues parents and adults face.
Does your child spend way too much time on video games and
too little time on homework or chores?
As an adult do you often look up at the clock only to discover you
have been playing a video game for 4 hours straight? You had no
concept of the time that was passing and now your housework
has been neglected and office assignments are overdo.
Since Video Games play such a huge role in our society, it is im-
portant to have strategies in place to help us manage the time
spent in front of the game console.

Time management
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Video Games & ADHD
Why can’t they stop playing?
If you literally have to yank the video game controller from your ADHD
child’s hands to get him to come to dinner, then you’re aware how compel-
ling, even addicting, video games are to an ADHD child.
Video games were introduced in 1972. According to The Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation (KFF), video games are ubiquitous as they are played
on everything from home consoles such as Xbox to live streaming Internet
tablets or hand held devices. Not surprisingly, computer and video game
sales in the United States are over a $19 billion industry.
The KFF also reports that more than two-thirds of all children ages 2-18
live in a home with a video game system. Video game playing, even more
than television watching, is an activity that kids tend to do alone.
What does this all amount to? The average young person accumulates
10,000 hours of gaming by the age of 21. How does that compare to
school attendance? It’s just 24 hours less than they spend in a classroom
for all of middle and high school if they have perfect attendance. It’s the
equivalent of a full time job at more than 40 hours a week.
So why are video games so intriguing? Many ADHD children seek in-
creased stimulation. Their brains demand bigger, louder, and faster paced
visuals. Often accompanying these demands is an increased need for
risky behavior and high intensity action. Video games provide just this, and
it can be somewhat like a drug or a favorite slice of pizza to a binge eater.
Some speculate that this is due to neurotransmitter problems and others
attribute it to a genetic link. Whatever the cause, it makes video games in-
credibly irresistible and mundane tasks like homework almost impossible.

Time management
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Managing Video Game Use
6 secrets to managing screen time
Your child likely spends more time, much more time, in front of a
video screen than with parents or teachers. Video screens in-
clude phones, TVs, desktop computers, game consoles, tablets,
etc.
Secrets:
1.Treat screen time like dessert. You wouldn’t let your child sit
and eat an entire cake. Instead, it’s healthier to eat a small piece.
Treating their screen time like dessert is a refreshing, non-
combative way to begin management.
2. Use screen time as a reward. Screen time is like dessert, so
it’s more a reward than a right. If they get their homework done
on time and do a good job, they earn, for example, 15 minutes of
screen time.
3. Set your rules and stick by them. Once you begin a screen
time as dessert program, you can develop a set of rules with
your child. Chores done, 15 minutes of screen time. No chores,
no screen time. No more. No less. Once you establish your rule
set, post it on the refrigerator or other public area so there’s no
argument about the rules. Consistency means success. Inconsis-
tency means failure.
4. Set family viewing time. Your habits as a parent greatly affect
your child’s behavior, so if you’re watching TV and on the com-
puter for 4 hours a night, don’t expect something different from
your child. Set a family time to watch TV together. Also, set a
family time to go outside and play. Setting a family viewing time
and play time establishes your values as a family.
on your future

Time management
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on your future
Managing Video Game Use
6 secrets to managing screen time
5. Control video screens. Did you realize that your child is likely
using video screens while in bed? Video screens are ubiquitous,
found everywhere. TV in their bedroom? Not a good idea. Cell
phone texting while in bed? Again, not a good idea. Minimize or
totally remove video screens from the bedroom. At the very least,
have a strict policy that all screens are turned off a half hour or
more before bed.
6. Be aware of content appropriateness. Just because your child
says, “Jake’s parents let him watch it,” doesn’t mean it’s right for
your child to watch a movie with explicit adult content or violence.
Being a good manager means taking the time to know what your
child is watching or playing (video games). Know the ratings for
your child’s videos or video games. Discuss their interests and
understand your child’s motivations. Set boundaries according to
your family values and stick to them.

Time management
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Play Attention
This e-Book is brought to you by Play Attention.
Play Attention is a global leader in attention training and can help
you develop the skills you need to be more successful with time
management. Play Attention improves attention, memory, organi-
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are necessary for successful time management.
See a live demonstration of Play Attention to learn more. Regis-
ter for our FREE informational webinar at http://
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Our attention is focused on your future!
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www.playattention.com

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