As soon as school was back in session from Christmas Break, I had a meeting with the school to discuss Nicholas's behavior and see what we could do. Basically we are doing more evaluations and talking with doctors to see exactly where we are.
Last week we went into his regular doctor to have a talk with him. Nicholas's behavior has been so variant, that at times it is hard to know if we are on the right track and if it is really worth it to have him medicated. I struggle so much with knowing that my 8 1/2 year old relies on medication every single day, but yet I refuse to take meds that the doctor tells me to take.
Nicholas has stated numerous times that he doesn't sleep one iota at night and his dreams keep him awake. We voiced this concern and learned that it isn't uncommon for ADHD kids to need a sleep aid to calm them down and get to sleep. I know right? Another med.
Unfortuntely yes. For now, he will be on a small dose before bedtime. He started Friday night, and it is amazing how refreshed he is in the morning and how fast he falls asleep. He used to stay up all hours of the night. I asked him the other morning how he slept and he said that that was the best that he has ever slept.
Oh what a great feeling to know that he is finally sleeping. But it pains me to think that yet again, he is reliant on a med to make it happen. Since the sleep aid is helping, there is a possibility that we pull him off of his ADHD medication. Maybe a good nights sleep is all he needed afterall.
We will also be starting Occupational Therapy before too long. This should help us a big deal, if with nothing more than just an understanding. It's been a long road, but atleast it is finally going somewhere!
We are also starting basketball. The big kids are just thrilled! In the past we have kind of strayed from sports because Nicholas has a hard time with competition and just his behavior in social settings period. However, I know that I cannot shelter him forever, and I hope that maybe this will help some. I guess we'll see.
Kait actually asked to play as well. I was floored. She never really has shown an intrest in basketball, just volleyball and cheerleading.
The only downfall with this, is that they have practice on Wednesday nights from 4-5. The kids don't even get off the bus until 4, so I will have to pick them up at school and waste an hour in town everyday before practice starts. I have a feeling we will become quite familiar with the local library.
As soon as practice is done we will have to rush home, eat dinner, and rush back out the door to church. I'm hoping that Wednesdays don't become a quick excuse to eat out. That would be a budget buster, indeed! I hope to rely heavily on crockpot meals or homemade frozen entrees.
I've been trying to spring clean before spring so that I can focus more on the garden. Our garden plans keep growing! Freecycle has become a good friend of mine! I'm tired of looking at all this "stuff" and although I was hoping to sell it and get some snowflakes for my snowball, I'm over it and ready to see it go. I've listed a few things so far, and they were claimed just as soon as I put them up. Oh the relief!
This has turned into quite the ramble..
Until next time.
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3 comments:
Hi, I found you on Momstheword and have enjoyed looking through your site. Your kids are adorable! I was curious as to whether you'd considered giving your son a natural sleep aid to help him at night? There are natural sleep aids such as valerian that might really help... are there any doctors in your area who might be willing to let your son try that?
In any case, I'm glad he's sleeping better now and I pray that things will continue to get better for him.
Hi,
I was reading through your post and I wanted to let you know that I completely understand what you are going through with your son. My 10-year-old was diagnosed with ADHD and a mood disorder almost 2 years ago. While I have always been against medicating him, it has turned out to be the best thing we could have ever done for him.
My son has never slept at night. He has terrible insomnia and he takes medication now to help him sleep better. It still isn't great but it is an improvement. Sometimes if he doesn't get a good nights rest his behavior is more moody and irrational. Sleep can make a huge difference. He takes a prescription medication and an over-the-counter called Melatonin. Adding this over the counter med has helped him alot.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I sympathize with you. It isn't an easy process, it is hard when it involves your kids. Stay strong, and I hope you find things that work for you, your son and your family. :)
Bless you for handling this so well!
~Kim
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