Thursday, July 28, 2011

Night 2

Success again. Night 2 over with and even through the thunderstorms, Little Man slept through the night, in his OWN room! He and I had a date night last night. We took daddy to horseshoes and then rented a movie, and had pizza and popcorn. He was not able to sit through the whole movie, and the obsessive questioning through out the movie was a little annoying, but we still ahd a great time! The best part was that when the storms started, he crawled up on my lap. He hasn't done that in years.

He is so proud that he is staying upstairs. Every morning, when he comes down, he announces that he is awake and then stomps down the stairs. I think getting him set up again and giving him the option to rearrange the way HE wanted has helped in this. I'm sure the TV helps too BUT he doesn't sit in fromt of it all the time, like I was afraid he would do. He is doing great so far. The meds are working wonders. The aderall has refocused him and the sleeping meds are God's gift to us. And when he did wake up last night, he didn't come downstairs, he just turned the tv on for a bit and dozed back off (at least that's how he tells it). I believe him though, just because of how peaceful he looked this morning when I checked on him.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Sleep

Last night was a success. Against how I was brought up, but with the input from other people dealing with ADHD we tried something new. Let me start by saying that Little Man has been sleeping downstairs, on the couch for about a year and a half now. The upstairs was "spooky". We finnaly found a way to help him.

My parents always said that TV in a childs bedroom can be a bad thing. We never had them when we were little. My husband, on the other hand, did. We have tried fans in Little Man's room, leaving lights on, music and a ton of other things. Nothing would work. He would still end up on the couch at some point-usually right after putting him down for the night. I have asked a ton of people for ideas with this. Finally, I have relied on the anser that most ADHD suffers gave me. The TV stays in the room.

Last night, we gave little man his pill for sleeping (which may have also helped), did his bedtime routine, and set him up with cartoons. I told him that once the episode was over, he needed to roll over and go to sleep. I didn't say he needed to turn it off, just that he needed to go to sleep. He told me that was fine. We recently set up a bunk bed in his room and let him rearrange the way he wanted that room. I turned to fan on, which was just for air circulation (it's hot up there), turned off the light....wait..turned off the light? No crying? Ok this is good. We went to check on him about 15 minutes later, and we was OUT! ASLEEP!!! In the dark, with the TV on, in HIS bedroom, in HIS bed! OK. So we crept back downstairs and wondered what the night would hold. In fact we said to eachother "This out to be interesting." It hasn't been this easy since he was in his crib. He used to sleep all night from the day he was born! When the alarm went off this morning for me to get up, hubby and I looked at eachother in disbelief. I went up just to make sure he was breathing! He was still asleep. In fact, he didn't come down until just before I left for work! THANK GOODNESS!

Hopefully we have found the way to keep him in his room at night....so daddy and I can get back to what daddys and mommys do! LOL

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Check this link!

This link pretty much sums up anyone who is dealing with ADHD and the struggle to get people to listen to the truth!


http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AMomsViewOfAdhd/~3/89o-xdohBls/how-do-you-handle-naysayers-i-know-adhd.html

Monday, July 25, 2011

In Tune

Today is day 3 of Little Mans return to meds. The first day was strange. I forgot that the first day was a druggie day. He was very lethargic and quiet. The second day, I saw a Little Man that I haven't seen since school got out. Yes, we still had little arguments, but he was much easier to talk to about things that weren't his way. I almost broke down at the end of yesterday because there was such a change. I have been depriving him of his meds. What mother could do that to there child. I thought I was doing the right thing all that time. But in hindsight, we were trying to help him. I can't look back now, just go forward. He is slowly morphing back into the little man he was, and its great. He even says he feels better already...on day 2! He spent most of the day in his room, organizing, before heading out to the pool. I am so glad that we finally bit the bullet and put him back on hi meds. Best thing yet!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Meds

It has been done. The Adderall will soon be pumping through Little Man again. We have decided that summer is WAY to unstructured. While some ADHD children benefit from having summer to just fly by the seat of their pants, Little Man does not. He must be just the opposite of almost every ADHD sufferer out there. He is usually great in school without his meds because of the structure. I have to figure out how to make him eat while he is on this medication. I think what I have decided is to buy some of those nutritional drinks that are out. He loves chocolate milk, so if I can get him his nutrition that way, I will. I am a little nervouse about putting him back on his meds, but I am more nervouse that if we don't, he will spiral out of control. Thanks Doc for getting us the prescription again and thanks pharmacy for filling it. Here's to you!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Activities?

So, I am trying to come up with some extracurricular activities for little man. My hubby and I are a little afraid to have him do Karate because of his temper. So I am looking at other options. I just got done looking through the Cub Scouts information. I am wondering if this is something we should try. My hubby was a cub and boy scout. There is one right by our house. Any input on this would be great!

Another idea I found was swimming. The information that I read says swimming is good because it uses his whole body. Good thing we have a swimming pool. Does anyone have any ideas for me? He is 6.5 so I can't put him on the track team yet! LOL

The third idea I found was football, which scares me to death because he is so little. And I'm a little hesitant because the info says most ports are no good because there is a lot of standing around time. Any input from any one would be MUCH appreciated!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Out of the mouth of Little Man

Coming home from our weekly horseshoe night last night, we passed a car wreck. The car was a buzz with oh mys, and wonder what happeneds. And then from the back seat came this little stern voice. "Come on you guys. Let's not talk about that right now. My mom is trying to concentrate on driving. Seriously, its not our business. Lets not worry about it right now. We can talk about it when we get home!" Hubby and I looked at eachother and glanced in the back seat to make sure that all of those thgouhts came from whoo we thought. They did. We started laughing. Not the right thing to do "I said stop it. I mean it. Its not any of our problem!" Well YES SIR!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Things That Go Bump In The Night

This link is awesome. I no exactly how this feels. Little man and I have this at least 3 times a week. I never really knew how to sum this up. She does a great job!

Things That Go Bump In The Night

Check it out!

Patience

"GGGRRRRRR!!!!!!" that was what I heard after telling Little man 3 times that no he could not have a sucker before dinner. "I'll hit you. I swear I will. You make me so mad! I don't love you anymore!" I hate hearing that for 2 reasons. 1. I know he will try to hit me. 2. I feel like giving in and know that I shouldn't.

After having such a great day with him on Monday, I was expecting to come home to a peaceful night. I don't know why, living with ADHD is more like a rollar coaster ride than a peaceful walk in the park. Luckily, he stormed off into the living room and saulked this time. A step in the right direction? Or collecting strength. But just like that he came back out to me in tears, "I'm sorry, mom. I take back the last part. I love you." Astonished, I just stared at him. What? So then he says "Didn't you hear me? I said I love you!" I told him I loved him too and everything I do is because I love him. "So can I have that candy now?" Ha, there it is. I'll tell mommy something she wants to hear to get my way. No, I said, not before dinner. And the cycle started over again.

I think the part that scares and worries me the most is the temper. For a 6 year old, he looks and gets evil. He knows what he is doing is wrong, but can't seem to help it. Will he be this way forever or will he learn to control this part of him. I have had to teach myself (which I don't always do) to be calm and patient. Very hard for me and daddy some days. Patience is the top part of the list when it comes to ADHD. I was always a patient person before I had children. Now, I have to refind that patience and refine it.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Little Man's plan

Yesterday, I tried something a little different than normal. I let Little man plan most of the day, instead of going on our normal schedule (which was screwed up with the holiday anyway).  He ran with this idea. I kind of did this as an experiment to see how he felt with more independance but also to get an idea of what his mind is actually like. Boy did I learn.

Our day started out by having a picnic in the backyard. He picked out the food and drinks and carried the blanket. We sat and ate and talked for a good 10 minutes before he got bored. So we picked up the blanket and went back inside. He finished most of his food. Then he wanted to go back outside and throw the ball for the dog. Originally this activity was scheduled to last 2 hours by his words. About 15 minutes into that, he got bored so back in the house we went. Then it was off to the park right up the block. Plus, he said I had to take my camera (which I was gonna do anyway) so that I could take pictures. He played on each toy once. This means we were at the park for 10 minutes, and then he got bored. All of this so far with walk and making meal time had been about an hour. Then he wanted to watch "IronMan", his ultimate favorite movie right now. Next thing I know, I am waking up from a short nap (like 20 minutes or so) and he is in his bathing suit. Time for the pool, mom! So off we went. He loves the pool. So we actually stayed in there for about 30 minutes before he got too cold. A little while later, back in he got. Then to top his day off, he was invited to go see fireworks with his best friend and her family. While I was getting him ready to go he stopped and said "Thanks for the best day ever, Mom!" It warmed my heart. So much, that I didn't even make him pick up his toys and clothes.

Two things I've learned from this:
1. I think I need to let him have some time to plan his own days. I'm not saying everyday, but I think the release from the structure for a bit helped him realize why he needs it.
2. I also got to see how his mind works. It is very fast paced in there. I can totally understand why he gets upset when words get stuck in his head....why he starts talking and can't finish a sentence because he can't remember what he was going to say or can't grasp the right word. Why he has trouble sleeping. I see the mind racing and the body trying so hard to keep up. It was very interesting.

I want to say that he and I had one of the best days since his diagnosis. I think he enjoyed being "in charge" and I enjoyed letting him pull me along for the ride. I have always loved my Little man, always. But now I love knowing what that little mind does and maybe lets me understand him and ADHD a little bit more.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Is sugar the enemy for ADHD?

4th of July. One of the best weekends of the year! But unfortunately one filled with over the top sugar! For a child with ADHD, this can be the drug that makes the evil come out. I am currently on a diet that includes very little sugar. I have been trying to pass this down to Little man. Its difficult. And since this weekend was filled with an Air Show and festivities galore, it made it ven harder. Yesterday, Little man got to see the fighter jets. At 6 he has decided that he wants to fly for the military now. Yes, I know he's young yet but whatever gets him going. Not a lot of sugar since we brought all of our food. He was an angel (considering we were out in the sun ALL day.) Today, I thnk I've got this under control. Fearing last week that my husband and I were going to have to put him back on his meds, I think we may have found something to get us by for awhile. I am still a little afraid of the drugs. He reacted really well to them, but had no appetite. Little man has ALWAYS been in the 5% in the weight category, so I didn't want him to slip to far. What do you other parents think? I know sugar does things to kids, but a for a child with ADHD it seems to raise the issues higher.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Peaceful

After the night we had 2 nights ago, I was praying that we had a peacefulone last night. And we did. Thank goodness. Little man was back on his sleeping pill and was out by 7:30...and is still sleeping now at 7:30 in the morning. I think what I have learned through this whole ordeal is that kids are kids, no matter if they have this monster or not. Every day is different, it is just that parents with children that have ADHD tend to have extra issues that pop up during the day. I really don't have anything to write today. I worked all day yesterday and Little man had summer reading program and got to hang out with one of his favorite neighbors. The little bit of time that I did have only consisted of one arguement with him on listening. Good luck this weekend. I will try to write another post this weekend. Independence Day weekend may distract that from happeneing though.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Scarey Night part 2

I did some research after posting my last entry. I believe we had a night terror. Although, I am not a doctor and I don't even play one on tv! BUT looking back on everything and seeing how he acted, leads me to believe it was a night terror. I texted my friend that is a nurse last night, after this all went down. I know she said to take him to ER, we chose not to. We were going to but he was so peaceful afterwards. Maybe we should have, I don't know. I just spoke to my hubby and he says Little man doesn't remember anything and that he acts fine today. So, I am making an appointment today for him to get back on his meds and I will talk to the doctor about it then.  I still would love to hear feedback though. Is this an ADHD thing or just a kid thing or maybe both!

Scarey Night

Ok, my son got a chance to play with one of his best friends yesterday (its his girlfriend if you ask them). Mind you, he has not slept now in a good 36 hours. By the time 7pm came along, he was tired. YAY! I took him to the gas station with me, which is literally a block away, because he wanted to come with. He fell asleep on the way. No kidding. So when we got home, I laid him on the couch. Sidenote here- he has been sleeping on the couch for months since there is, in his words, "something spooky" about his bedroom. Anyway.  While daddy and I were getting ready for bed, we heard little man wimpering. Thinking it was just a nightmare, we let it go. Then he woke up crying. I rushed to his side. "What's wrong, buddy. Did you have a bad dream?" I got no response. Shaking him, his eyes finally opened, but then rolled into the back of his head. He continued sobbing. Daddy tried to talk to him. He would look at us for a second and then roll his eyes back up again. This lasted for about 5 - 7 minutes. He was mumbling and crying through the whole ordeal. Then, we finally started to get responses to questions. But they didn't make sense. He kept falling asleep for a second and then waking up and crying again. Finally, I picked him up completely off the couch and carried him to the kitchen, sat him on the counter and tried to get him back alert. He finally snapped out of it, like I said after a good 5 - 7 minutes and took a drink of water. Daddy asked him what was wrong again and why he was crying. Little man said he didn't know what happened or why he was crying. Then just like that he was fine. He went potty and walked back to the couch. He slept the whole rest of the night, with us hawk-eyeing him of course. Any thoughts on this. Has anyone else's ADHD child or self had anything like this? I am thinking a seizure or a horrible night terror.