Free Floating Formica...

[tova7]

40. 4-0. Forty, forty, forty….

No matter how many times it runs through my brain, it is hard to believe that number belongs to me until I throw it away for the newer version in September.

Being in college again is really hard, and I don’t mean intellectually.

Did you ever see that movie with Adam Sandler? Hell I can’t remember the name, he goes

Comments

Medicate?

[momijiki]

My cousins adopted a baby boy who had ADHD. Life for him was really hard and they were wonderful parents for him. I can only imagine how he might have turned out without their care and tolerance. My cousin is a pharmacist and her husband was a teacher

Re: Medicate?

[tova7]

I know there are different degrees of ADHD. My son falls into the low end. The only behavior issue he has is constant talking.

When he talks in class his teacher makes him sit on the floor.

He's spent the last two weeks on the floor. Heh.

But I am a gabber, so I feel his pain.

Luckily, he doesn't have any other real behavior issues. I don't count obedience because if he can remember the order long enough to do it, he does it.

I'm leaning toward just letting it ride for another year or so. Heck, if I could catch up in third grade with no parental involvement at all, he should be able to do the same (if he falls behind) and more with all our help.

Thanks.

[roylevosh]

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, Tonya. I really do. The only things I can offer up to say is...

a) Forty ain't so bad from my perspective.

and

b) is there really anything all that bad about light speed? We all dance to a different beat, you know.

[tova7]

Ya know Roy, 40 didn't bother me until I started spending time with people a decade (give or take) younger than me..haha. Only one more year of it though...

Is there anything wrong with light speed? No, if you can maintain control of the ship, I guess there's not. But its hard to control the ship when you're 6 and there are an abundance of obstacles in the way.

Wonderful Metaphors

[momijiki]

Roy and Tonya, wonderful use of metaphor! This is why I like reading you two.

Just wondering when in September your Birthday is T. I turn 40 at the end of September.

Lightspeed is good, I think. Maybe as long as the 6 year old pilot doesn't crash and burn, a few bumps are par for the course. I bet your 6 year old is a lot of fun though.

Re: Wonderful Metaphors

[tova7]

My birthday is on the 17th of September. I turned 40 last year.

I still can't believe it.

My 6 year old is fun. We're so much alike though, we tend to butt heads. heh. Then it gets loud and UUUUGGGLLLY.

Think Star Trek, massive battle.

Heh.

[donna2009]

Hey Tonya, can't believe I didn't add you to my friends list til now, even though you did me, I thought I had! Anyway...your personality reminds me very much of my husband Michael. He's hyper and he goes a mile a minute and it takes my practicality to slow him down when it becomes necessary!lol! but I'm so used to it, that I don't really notice all of the time. I like that he's the opposite of me because he moves and sometimes I have to catch up, in other things, I'm the one who moves while he's playing catch up! So we play off each other I guess

[tova7]

Thanks Donna.

It's ironic. I met with Gavin's teachers and expected them to tell me he needs medication. But, they didn't. They said he may outgrow it. But, I don't think he will.

I've decided for the time being to wait and see. I'm tutoring him this summer, and gonna try to keep him on track for first grade.

When I was reading about your husband something struck me. While I am go go go in my daily routine and talking, I am not impulsive at all when it comes to life decisions.

In fact, I run the household account because my very logic minded husband goes a little nutty with money occasionally. When it comes to life choices, long term stuff, my husband is far more impulsive than me. But that only occurred after the kids came, so its not natural to me.

Thanks for sharing. It helps knowing other people have been there, done that.

[udigitthemost]

40 is the new 30 !!!!

Both my nephews are on medication for ADHD. It's tough because I love them but I'm not their father. I'm not a father at all so I feel I have no right to say anything at all to any parent. Because if it was the other way around it would piss me off.

My older nephew is the one who I see the medication affecting. When he is on it it seems like he loses some of his personality. He also seems to get very emotional.

I just pray the only reason he is on it is for him and not because it makes it easier for the parents, teacher and doctor.

When it comes to your son I think you are the best person to make that conclusion. Not only are you his mother but you having the same thing makes you understand what Gavin is going through better than any doctor. I trust you will make the right decision no matter what you choose.

[tova7]

Thanks UDig. My decision is to just wait and see. He does have half his dad's genes so maybe he'll outgrow this. Until then, I'll just keep working with him.

But you're right. It's such a hard choice. On the one hand you want the best, and believe science and medicine have come along way since I was a kid...so why shouldn't my kids benefit.

On the other hand, our society is getting pretty wimpy and kids are seen as nuisances more times than not, even by some people in fields which serve them. So I have to weigh how much is actually his problem, and how much is actually everyone else's. Heh.

[a_roseinbloom]

You are in such a tough situation. From a teacher's perspective, having an ADHD student is quite a challenge; some I have had success with, some I have not. However, who am I tell a parent that his/her child needs meds (in fact, it is against our policy to even suggest to a parent that a child has ADHD).

I guess the best thing you can do is arm yourself with information and facts. Learn more about the meds available and look into non-medicinal ways to deal with his condition.

Hopefully, it will become less severe as he gets older (I know of several success stories dealing with ADHD children who improved so much from when they started school). And don't be too harsh on yourself. What has the school done to help? Hopefully, they have done all they could and not have dropped the ball somewhere in dealing with him.

[tova7]

The school isn't suggesting he's ADHD. He's not "officially" diagnosed because he just turned 6 in Feb. The Peds Drs won't really evaluate until after six. I have read a lot about it, and he meets all the criteria, in every single instance.

I won't even ask for an official evaluation for it unless I decide medication is ok.

His teacher makes him sit on the floor away from the other kids. She says when she isolates him, he does a little better. Which means he doesn't talk as much, but it doesn't mean he is learning. And the isolation at this point is just about punishment. He is still falling behind. Don't misunderstand, I don't think there is anything wrong with separating him from the class because he won't shut up. I'd do the same thing. He's gotta learn.

I dunno...its frustating, for us all.