Are You an ADD Mom with ADHD Kids

Yes, I have ADD and have a son that struggles with it too. He was diagnosed when he was in first grade and struggling with school. I struggle with the decision of no medication. I encourage alternatives. He did occupational therapy and speech and herbal vitamins instead of medicine. It really does not work like medicine but i felt he needed to learn how to deal with his disability. Do not get me wrong...i think all the time about if i am making the right decision. I wish it was easy decision. I read books about medicating him and than i read books about why it is bad. We work daily on staying on task, time management and organization. These are the main problem areas...i guess i would not call them problems but challenges we have to work on. He is incredible kid and wonderful heart but he struggles daily.

I applaude you for trying to get help for your children. I refused the Doctor's medicine for my daughter and with her grades, I really regret it. I tried rewards and consequences and everything to do it without meds and now she is 12 and I don't know that there is any hope, so please let me know if Focus works. I tried something from GNC years ago, I don't even remember what it was but it didn't work. Good luck and don't give up, you will be better of in the long run.

Hello K..
I have a son that is ADHD. He is 11. My other son is 6 and the school thinks he may be ADD... I have not had him "screened" by the doctor yet.

My e-mail is ____@____.com

K.,
I am not diagnoised with Add or Adhd; however, my husband has ADHD and he does not take anything and our daughter has been diagnoised with ADHD. I know that my husband's tolerance for our daughter's behavior is on a shorter leash than me.

Focus did not work for our daughter, We did not want her on any "drugs" however, since the natural did not work we went to the dr and he prescribed Adderrall. A very low dose~ and it has been gradually increased.

Needless to say; life is very interesting here. I think I am the most frustrated since neither one of them can pay attention, or listen to what I have to say!

Best of luck with your boys and if I can be of any help, let me know :),
L.

Hey K.,
I have ADD and my son in Kindergarten hasn't been diagnosed yet but I'm getting a lot of pressure from the school to have him "checked out." I think having ADD and the same behaviors that I am seeing in my son gives me an insight into what he's thinking that others don't have. It's frustrating to see him scolded, misunderstood, and punished for things that I know first-hand he has no control over. I'm an adult and I have trouble controlling it! We're going to get him on supplements, but I am beginning to resent the school system.

I don't even know where to start! My heart aches reading all these posts bcs I soooo understand! I have ADD and was never medicated, however my son with ADHD, really needed meds. It was the hardest decision ever for me!! I felt horrible, like I had given this to him. But a year later we are so much better for it. I could go on and on about it- he is 7 now and on Adderall. If you want to talk- that would be better bcs then I can really explain our situation better FROM THE HEART rather than typing a long journey on Mamasource. Its gotten different and in some ways easier- My main advice would be press on! Listen to your heart. Pray about it and see where God leads you. Its hard and heart breaking, but my family is BETTER for the choice we made. Deal with today- don't let yourself think about how this decision MIGHT affect him 10+ yrs from now- deal with today in today and cross that other bridge when and IF you get to it. I say this bcs I get caught up in the "what if" in life. We've worked and pushed in some cases with pediatricians, phycotherapists. I can fill you in on all that. Cynthia Tobias is a great source of support and knowledge. Google her and get her books or teaching CDs- a HUGE encouragement! The other book that has helped me the most is Dennis Swanberg "ADHD Doesn't Spell Disaster"- a great source of encouragement- both these authors have ADD and have children with ADD/ADHD. Please call if you need help or encouragement bcs I could use it too! My email is ____@____.com I'm in Oldsmar, a SAHM and I'm IN YOUR BOAT! :-)