A CharismaticClub member messaged me with an issue concerning her son’s violent behavior.

After reading her e-mail, I immediately knew a basic part of the problem.  Children are small little balls of energy, they get a ton of sleep, and have a lot of steam to burn off with their little bodies.  What happens when you try to subdue an excited child?  His energy just bottles up even more.  And what happens to something bubbly and active when it becomes more and more bottled up?  Eventually, it pops.  And that is what happens with hyperactive children.  I know from a personal standpoint, as I grew up with ADHD and still have it to this day.

I know how a kid with ADHD feels when his energy is bottled up, eventually when it’s released, it comes out all at once from twenty to forty-five minute intervals.  Think of a normal child that is able to expend his energy regularly throughout the day.  It is rationed, so it comes out an even level and doesn’t get out of hand.  But a hyperactive child is told to hold back that energy and then release it in random spurts when he can’t contain himself any longer.

Again, I still do this as an adult.  People stare, people scoff, but I think it is what makes me, me.

Do I think ADHD is a bad thing?  No.  However, for people that aren’t used to this type of condition, it doesn’t mesh well with their lifestyle.  So instead of trying to treat hyperactive children as if they are calm children that are misbehaving, it is best to teach them how to be who they are while learning to function within their community.

What is the first thing I recommend?  The answer is so gosh darn simple:  More exercise.

And I’m not talking about basketball practice twice a week, and then karate class.  I am talking about consistent daily exercise that lets them expend their energy to the max.

Let the tank run dry.

Not long ago there was no such thing as cars and video games, so everyone was exercising the way they needed to on a daily basis.  Our bodies are still ready for that same type of exercise, and when we interfere with our children’s need for what our bodies are meant to do, screwy things start to happen.  The pent up energy will release itself in what seems to be aggressive bursts, when it should have been released throughout the day… herding cattle, helping on the farm, walking to school… and I mean WALKING.  Not an 1/8 of a mile to my elementary school like I did when I was a kid, but miles to school… or to the market to buy some milk.  Whatever it was, we were getting much more well-needed exercise at that time than we do now.

What are some ways to exercise with your children?  I have a few super fun examples that will help you and your children get the exercise you need to function properly each day, while being able to spend quality time with your kids.

#1: 1-on-1 Basketball

Most people reading this have access to some kind of basketball hoop and basketball, so playing this game with your kids is so easy, I have no idea why even I will neglect the hoop just twenty feet outside my bedroom window.  You can be killing three birds with one stone by playing daily basketball with your kids:  keeping them expending energy, keeping them healthy, and keeping YOU healthy.

#2: The Daily 10 Minute “Dance Party”

I love games that are non-competitive, mostly cuz I’m a sore loser and never win anything.  But also because non-competitive games help grow confidence in everyone that is playing, because everyone wins!  This 10-minute dance party accomplishes exactly that.  Schedule this every day during a time where the whole family is in the house, and there is some downtime in your day.  Get out your boombox or whatever you can play loud music on, and put on some of you and your kids’ favorite tunes.  I think you know what to do next:  start shakin’ that rump!  Encourage your children to dance in different new ways that will help inspire their creativity while growing their confidence in their weird-goofyness.  Play “Freeze Dance” and pause the music at 7-second intervals which gets everyone to freeze in their goofy position for a second before they have to start dancing again.  ”Dance like a polar bear!”  ”Dance like a penguin!”  You would be surprised at how creative your children can get with this groovy game!

#3: Scarf Tag!

Take any type of material similar to a scarf, maybe a baseball cap or a rag from the closet.  Whoever has the scarf is “it.”  The rule is to put the scarf anywhere that it is easily grabbable:  hanging out of your pocket, the back of your pants or shirt, or loosely tied around a belt loop.  Find a wide open space to run around, and start playing tag!  Whoever grabs the scarf is now “it,” and everyone must chase him.  The beauty of this game is that it can go on FOREVER.  I have played with my kids during a summer camp day and they have tired ME out!  It shows my age to see that my kids are outrunning me after an hour of playing scarf tag.  It also is proof of how much exercise children need each day.  And to suppress this need for expending energy will result in some ugly episodes with your kids.  WARNING: This simple game can get very addictive, like pong!

I promise you that after you have given your child a consistent daily heaping of intense exercise each day, meaning letting them release ALL of their fuel, you will see him/her more attentive, calm, and able to function within groups more easily.  This is not a “cure all” for every obedience issue you are going through with your child, but this is the basic foundation that most parents don’t do.

That’s it for today’s post.  Part two will cover discipline and leadership with your kids.

For now, go down in the comments section below and tell me and the readers a way you get to exercise with your own children.