Rebellious Teens

If you have access to family counseling I would suggest giving that a try, if not you may check with the school counselor for reduced cost or free counseling available in your area. It sounds like a lot of change may be going on that may be stirring up so much negative behavior.

With re: to ADD and ADHD I would suggest a total diet change, give it 3 months and see what happens. There are countless studies in the Alternative/ Natural Health magazines that attribute these diagnoses to prolonged exposure to antibiotics as infants and small children and also artifical colors and preservatives/ poisons in processed foods that most Americans consume can cause these signs. If you would like to learn more about these diet concerns and or supplaments that are available to help with these symtoms I highly recommend visting Herman at Tri-Health off of Fuqua. He can defintley steer you down the right path.

Also, my son's school held a workshop last night on the Love & Logic discipline philosohpy. It was wonderful and the man who co-wrote the program will be giving a seminar at Clear Crrek Community Chruch on Jan 31. The cost is $99 and I believe it is open to the public. You might call the church or look on-line under love & logic for more info. Good luck, I pray for peace for you in the New Year.

Years ago, I found an incredible positive and experienced speaker. Our PTA enlisted her services for our whole school district. For the first time I heard tangible ways to truly affect my children's behavior and my own. Please check out her website: sandymcdaniel.com. A while back I remember reading that she did work with children with ADD. In general, I specifically liked and succeeded with her book 'Recipies for Parenting" (fast/easy reading!!) I truly believe her resources will help. Good luck.

Since they actually have diagnosed medical issues, maybe you should talk to their doctor and see if he/she has any solutions. It's my understanding that traditional methods of time out, grounding, spanking, etc. have no effect at all on children with ADD or ADHD. We have a neighbor that has a son with ADHD, and all I can say is that you need a big hug.

I have a 13 year old and a 10 year old that do the same thing. I feel for you, especially since you are on your own and with a 3 month old! Have you tried withholding privileges? How about good old fashioned sending them to their rooms... ? And I mean for a good long time. My kids hate to be isolated so that usually works, for a while at least. Also... my oldest loves the idea that since he's the oldest, he gets to stay up later than my 10 year old. When he gets in trouble I usually put him to bed early. He HATES that. It makes him feel like a baby. I tell them, if they are acting like babies, they will get treated like one. I also withdraw privileges like video games, or getting to go to a friends house or something like that they are looking forward to. Hope that helps! Keep trying with their dad. He needs to get more involved with their behavior. Take care!

My daughter was ADHD back in the days when it was just called hyperactive. Isolation worked when she was little. Later it took more. My husband and I participated in family counseling. Oh, and I did change her diet eliminating all processed foods that contained BHA and BHT perservatives. Her grades went up 10 points in everything! I learned to pray a lot, recruit others in my church for help and she missed out on lots of things she wanted to do due to her bad behavior. These kiddos will push the limits 24/7, so you can never let your guard down. Find as many ways to compliment and encourage your boys as you can. They starve for this. I'll add you to my prayer list. It's a tough assignment, but someone told me once that God chooses special people for special children. I will say I learned a whole lot that has helped me in working with others and their children.

How about the Big Brother program thru the YMCA? Or getting them into other activies. Do you attend church if so get them involved with the Youth Group. At my church they are very supportive group.

Also in your other post it's not wrong to want to have some alone time to yourself or with others.
Good Luck

My question is do you have medical and pharmacy insurance? If so find a good child physiatrist and get your kids on Adderall or some drug similar this will help keep your mind in tack a few more years. Children who need this kind of help must have meds or they turn bipolar later in life and thats worse than anything you can imagine.It's expensive but well worth it in the long run. Good luck I know it's hard keep the faith.