Mornings are often challenging in an ADD household, beginning with the task of getting out of bed. Whether a child hits the snooze button repeatedly, or, somehow, manages to ignore the buzzer, parents may find themselves acting as human alarm clocks day after day. ADDitude wanted to help end that pattern, so we searched for the most ADD-friendly alarm clocks. See what our readers have to say about the top four.
SB300 Sonic Boom Vibrating Alarm Clock
Sonic Alert; sonicalert.com; $49.95
Key Features The Sonic Boom (#1) has a large-number time display and an extra-loud alarm. The kicker is the vibrating attachment that slips under your mattress and shakes you awake.
The Reviewers Christy and Phillip (age 13) Warren, Goose Creek, South Carolina
Waking Up Is Hard to Do... We’ve tried countless clocks, and none have worked. I end up waking Phillip, but it takes time. As soon as I turn around, he lies back down and falls back to sleep. I feel like I have to blast him out of bed!
Alarm Clock Lowdown I didn’t tell Phillip about the bed-shaking attachment, so he was really surprised by that the first day. It was great, like a one-two punch. He said, “The alarm is pretty loud, but it’s better than hearing my Mom fussing at me to wake up.”
Best for: Heavy sleepers
Flying Alarm Clock
Hammacher Schlemmer; hammacher.com; $39.95
Key Features When it’s time to wake up, the clock (#2) launches an attachment that flies around the room. The alarm sounds until you catch the rotor and return it to the clock’s base.
The Reviewers Karen and Riley (age 12) Meyer, Campbell, California
Waking Up Is Hard to Do... Riley isn’t a heavy sleeper, so he usually wakes when his alarm goes off. It’s getting him out of bed that’s our biggest morning challenge.
Alarm Clock Lowdown The alarm was just loud enough to wake Riley, and the flying wheel forced him to get out of bed. He called the clock “evil,” but immediately asked if we could keep it after the testing period. It helps him get up on his own and be more independent, and I appreciate not having to chase him through his morning routine.
Best for: Dawdlers
Peaceful Progression Wakeup Clock
Hammacher Schlemmer; hammacher.com; $39.95
Key Features This clock (#3) allows you to choose sounds like ocean waves or a thunderstorm, as well as an aromatherapy scent. Thirty minutes before wakeup, the scent is released, and the light and the sound gradually get brighter and louder.
The Reviewers Karen and Kelsey (age 14) Peterson, Abingdon, Virginia
Waking Up Is Hard to Do... Kelsey likes to “snooze” in bed, so her dad and I “helicopter in” and wake her several times before her feet finally hit the ground. But we’d like her to take on more responsibility as she enters high school.
Alarm Clock Lowdown The progressively brighter light was a nice feature, and I think it will be even more helpful during the darker winter months. Kelsey likes choosing the scent and said that using the clock “made me look forward to waking up.” I hope this feature will work for a long time!
Best for: Gradual wakers
Clocky
Nanda Home; amazon.com; $49.99
Key Features Clocky (#4) rolls off your nightstand and drives around your room, forcing you to chase it down to silence the alarm.
The Reviewers Keila Pernia and Emily Granda (age nine), Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Waking Up Is Hard to Do... Getting Emily out of bed is a struggle. I typically start yelling as I step into the shower, yell a bit more from the shower, then go pull the sheets off her on the way back to my room. By the time I finally get into my car, I feel like I’ve already been working for three hours.
Alarm Clock Lowdown Emily loved Clocky (she calls it by its name) and it got her up on the first try. As soon as Clocky started rolling away, she got out of bed, chased it around and was alert and ready to start her day. Another feature we both appreciated was the actual alarm. First, it sounded like birds, then like bells. Much better than an annoying buzzer.
Best for: Chronic snoozers
This article appears in the August/September issue of ADDitude.
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What alarm clocks work best for you and your family? Tell us in the ADHD and Sleep Issues support group on ADDConnect.