The ADHD Smarter Parenting‘s Podcast
Kids & Family:Parenting
The ability to observe and describe behavior is a foundational skill used in every lesson taught through Smarter Parenting, and therefore an essential one to master.
Observe and Describe is exactly what it sounds like. You observe what is happening, and then you describe what you see. Describing behavior can be used for both positive and negative situations.
Using descriptive words (instead of being vague or labeling) is helpful since it keeps the focus on the behavior. This removes the emotion that often comes with negative behavior, it allows for more clear communication, and it helps keep the situation from escalating.
Children with ADHD especially have a hard time connecting their behavior with what is happening. Using Observe and Describe helps them connect their behavior to what you want or don’t want.
Explaining behavior without emotion gives parents options for how to respond. It’s hard for children to argue with what is happening when parents describe what they witnessed.
Parents that master Observe and Describe find that their relationships improve and feelings of frustration and helplessness decrease. We can’t stress enough how important it is to master Observe and Describe.
To learn more about Observe and Describe visit: https://www.smarterparenting.com/lesson/view/observe-and-describe/
For full show notes and transcript visit: https://www.smarterparenting.com/adhd-parenting-podcast/
Ep #132: Helping a child calm down from a tantrum
Ep #131: Creating a safe place for kids to talk about hard topics
Ep #130: This is not what I signed up for | When ADHD symptoms aren't textbook
Ep #129: Why you're seeing increased negative behaviors
Ep #128: Neurodiversity and helping kids who learn differently
Ep #127: When you love your child but don't always like your child
Ep #126: Why kids see time differently
Ep #125: The skills are solutions
Ep #124: The difference between coaching and therapy
Ep #123: How to talk to your kids about racism and other difficult topics
Ep #122: Special education and the law with Catherine Michael
Ep #121: It's okay not to be okay
Ep #120: Coping with pandemic exhaustion and changing needs
Ep #119: Creating normalcy when things feel uncertain
Bonus episode: In difficult times, seek out the helpers
Ep #118: When a child's negative behavior affects the whole family
Ep #117: I am not the parent I thought I would be
Ep #116: Using Effective Communication to build deeper connections
Ep #115: Working with organizations that help victims of human trafficking
Ep #114: Helping kids focus and stay on task
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