Forgetful Mom

One of the important things I hope to teach my wild child is that the medicine does not make him be good.  It is only a tool.  He still has to choose the right.  So when I forgot to give him his medicine twice this week he learned quickly that good behavior is still expected.  And he passed with flying colors.  His dad said the second time he could tell that afternoon he was medicine free.  But it may have been that it was Friday!!  We choose to skip Saturday since we were just working around the house.  Sunday he had the choice.  At first he said no, but then changed his mind and took his medicine before church.  I've been reading up on ADHD and both sides of the medicine debate.  I haven't decided if we'll continue through summer.  I think it helps for school, but I also think that there are other things the school can do to help him.  One 15 minute recess in a 7 hour day is not great.  I can't sit at work for 7 hours straight without getting up and moving around.  We have a meeting with the school this week to set up a plan for 4th grade.  Recess is something I want in the plan.  Medicine or not, he needs an outlet for his energy.  Wish me luck!

Bouncing, but not off the walls.

I am an observant person.  I like to people watch.  These past few days my favorite person to watch has been my wild child.  He's had some wild moments.  

Yesterday he had an exciting day.  He had a field trip and Dad got to go too.  Dad said he was good and no trouble at all.  That's a big improvement over two years ago when he went to the zoo and I was required to accompany him because of his behavior. 

Homework has been less of a struggle, but I can tell when the medicine starts to wear off.  Yesterday was a great homework day, today not so much.  He was starting to lose focus and that's when he gets frustrated with himself.  But with a calm voice (I try) of redirection we got through it.  He is looking forward to tomorrow, Friday, because there is no homework!!

He's still bouncing, but not bouncing off the walls.  He loves to take his medicine.  He thinks he's really something because he can swallow a pill (smaller than a tic tac!!).  I've tried to be very open and honest with him and have asked him how he feels about having ADHD.  I ask him if he thinks the medicine is working.  We've talked about the chemicals in his brain and how the medicine helps them work right.  We've talked about still being responsible for his own behavior.  I want him to grow up understanding his body and brain but also not using this as an excuse.  I want him to succeed and grow and find joy in his own journey through life.  He is definitely one of the joys in my journey.

 

Day One

I am so proud of my wild child.  He swallowed his very first pill of any kind today.  I think the chocolate milk helped!  We explained to him what he was taking in terms that a nearly 9 year old could understand.  I was surprised by his understanding and acceptance of it all.  That made me realize that this is something that he knew was happening inside him.  Makes me realize how smart this wild child is.  While he wasn't bouncing off the walls, he was still bouncing today.  I'm glad.  I like my happy boy.  I'm okay with his wildness.  I just don't want it to hold him back.  I hope we have found a tool that he can use to be the very best him he can be.

My Wild Child

3 years, 9 months, 2 weeks & 4 days ago I met a beautiful 5 year old boy and his big sister.  He was all boy.  I came to call him my wild child.  I loved his energy.  But as the months went by the energy got in the way of living.  So about a year ago we decided we needed to put a name to that energy for no other reason than to give the school the authority to give him the help he needs.  Today we finally got that official name.  While some aspire to add letters after their name (PHD, CPA, etc.) these aren't letters I ever wanted to attach to a child, especially my child.  I love my wild child.  I love his personality.  He is crazy wonderful.  But I know he is frustrated that he can't sit still and listen.  So now as a mother I have to make an important decision.  I want to help him but I don't want to change who he is.  Thankfully we found a doctor who is also a father with a child with some letters attached to his name.  He explained more than we really needed and was very understanding of my concerns.  We have the paper that the school needs to give him the help he needs.  I know it will help him at school.  He has great teachers and staff that want to help him but have been restricted by some silly laws.  This paper will pave the way for them to help the way they want.  So tonight I start my journey.  Tonight I have the tools to help him.  Tonight he is still my wild child and I hope he never changes, but I hope to give him the tools he needs to grow into the best him he can be.  So join me on my journey of raising my wild child as I share my experiences of my journey with a child with ADHD.