We've all confronted those dreaded candy displays oh-so-conveniently located at the checkout counters in grocery stores. How often must parents like to exert control and say "No!" when "Oh, why not?" is much easier than facing a potential temper tantrum? Parenting magazines at the same checkout counter taunt us with "10 Easy Ways to Set Limits with Kids," but it's not so easy when your child has ADD/ADHD.

Many ADD/ADHD children are obsessive and unable to "let go" of a particular thought. If they have swimming in mind, for example, but can't be taken due to an unexpected thunderstorm, prepare for a meltdown. They will not forget any promise made or even any expectation that exists only in their imagination. So what's a parent to do? There's no magic answer, but these six strategies will help your child learn to cope with disappointment:

Control the environment. Don't set up situations that are bound to be overstimulating and stress-filled for your ADD/ADHD child, such as taking him grocery shopping at 5:30 after a long day or staying at a family party until the wee hours of the night. This is age-dependent, however, and can be adjusted over time.