When Parenting Styles Clash

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Attitude Magazine

Q: My spouse and I have different parenting styles. I give our child with ADHD reminders, timers, reward charts, and other tools to help them compensate for weak executive functions and complete tasks. My partner says I’m “babying” our child and that they should do their tasks independently. How can we resolve our differences?

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It’s not uncommon for parenting strategies and styles to diverge, with one parent prioritizing building independence, while the other leans toward empathy and support.

Tasks involving time management, prioritization, managing materials, and impulse control are tricky. Kids with ADHD benefit greatly from supports like timers, alarms, and visual schedules to keep them on track.

These strategies aren’t signs of “babying.” They are evidence-based tools and approaches that help build good habits and self-regulation skills. Without them, our children would likely feel frustrated and anxious.

Overall, kids with ADHD do best when their parents understand and support their executive functioning struggles, set consistent rules, and provide a united front. Use these strategies to better align your parenting styles.