This picture is for Stephanie, who requested a Work In Progress pic of the shorties I'm making for Luke. So here ya go, Steph! They look huge to me. Hopefully they'll fit... do you like so far? I'm planning on working on them a bunch tonight, so maybe another update pic tomorrow if I do.
So let's see... this afternoon, I picked up all three kids from school for what was supposed to be a comprehensive ADHD evaluation of Jack and Chloë. I got Sophia too, because I didn't think Rob would wake up to get her off the bus, and I didn't think I'd be home in time, since it was supposed to last an hour and a half.
Ha.
Hahaha.
Dr. P. spent less than a half-hour with both kids, total. And when I say "with the kids," I really mean just talking to me, barely acknowledging them except to say, "Don't touch that. Don't touch that." He didn't look them over, he didn't question them, he didn't really observe them. He asked me to check off symptoms on a checklist, and he questioned me very briefly about their habits and history. Then he told me, based on pulling it out of his ass that minimal information, to increase both of their doses of Adderall!
What?!
REALLY?
I don't understand why. I certainly did not need his "expertise" for such aggressive medical action on a disorder I'm not even sure either of them have, especially Chloë. He tried to convince me that they have it, but I disagree. I'm annoyed. I'm irritated. I'm agitated. I'm frustrated.
No, I don't see much difference in their behavior since going on the meds a week ago, but truly, I am not entirely sure there is such a problem. Jack's kindergarten teacher never mentioned these issues that are suddenly exasperating for his first grade teacher. Like my sister pointed out, he was an early preemie, he has had his fair share of problems and delays, and maybe he just needs a little more time, a little more coaxing, because he is such a little guy. Neither of us (she or me) would have labeled them as having ADHD ourselves, based on our own observations. Rather, we would have chosen to label them as "kids."
I watch my kids closely. I would say I can be hypervigilant when it comes to their various behaviors. I observe them when they're with their peers. Do I think they're out of control? Do I think they are more active than kids their ages? Do I think they need medication? No, no, and NO.
And I certainly don't think we need to go all increasing the dose, willy-nilly, based on a few minutes of questioning the mother. I am going to go the therapy route instead. I do not want to dope up my children. If there are problems, if there are issues with their behavior, I would rather suss out exactly what they are, than just dump them in a box labeled "ADHD" because that seems to be the easiest explanation. Through therapy, we can all learn coping mechanisms and stress relief techniques.
No. No more medicine. I'm done. I'm through. It's enough.
Phew.
What a relief. I'm glad that is decided. You may disagree with me, and that is fine, but know this: I am positive I am doing what is best for my children and our family.
********
After the girls came home from dance and I finished working on my coupons for Harris Teeter (see prior post on my awesome savings!), I worked more on the whole homeschooling thing. I've been doing research. It's not enough, but it's a start. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the $200 Hooked on Phonics program for Jack and Sophia, for their beginning and emerging reading skills. Also, I am certain I want to use the Math-U-See program for all of them for mathematics. A friend recommended it, and it gets lots of great reviews on all the homeschooling review sites. I don't know yet where we'll find the money for these programs, but if it comes down to buying materials for our homeschool or having my abdominoplasty, I guess I'm going to suck it up and not have the surgery. The idea saddens me, but the kids' needs definitely come first.
Boohoo for me, but yay for them!
I'm thinking about taking in a baby or two for daycare. It will bring in some much-needed extra money, I can still do that and homeschool, and ... and Rob just texted me, so now I've forgotten what I was going to say! The subbing thing just hasn't worked out as planned. I don't get called when I am available, and when they do call, I can't take the job because they want me to start at, like, 0700. I don't get the kids on the bus until 0800, so it just doesn't work, with Rob's hours. Bah. Frustrating, but whatcha gonna do??
Oh, and I've submitted my letter of intent to homeschool to the city, as well as a rudimentary curriculum based on what I blogged about earlier. It's in the mail! That's it! We're homeschoolers! Well. Almost...
So now, I'm going to do my online orientation for being a Girl Scout Leader, so I can proceed to the next training step(s). I want to get all my ducks in a row as early as I can. I've always been like that. I want to get things done ahead of time. I like to follow a plan. I can be quite spontaneous, but with a plan in place, I feel more comfortable and prepared.
'Evening, then!
Fin.
P.S. Also for arts instruction, I can teach them cross-stitching/embroidery, and we can learn more together about that and sewing! That will be fun. And, I thought, maybe we can get a big world map and put pins in it every day when we see where the clothes we're wearing were made, and maybe even where our food came from (if not local). That will open a discussion about the various countries of the world, for further exploration. What do you think?
I love the shorties you are making for Luke, especially the colors... very boyish!
I think you are off to a great start for homeschooling the kids! and I am confident you will do a great job at it too! The internet is a great resource for teaching them about anything you think of... especially since you blog and there are sooo many blogs by people in other countries.
The arts idea is great... many hand crafts have been lost because no one teaches them to our kids anymore!
You go girl... I know you'll do great!
Posted by: Gloria | 02 May 2010 at 10:57
Love the colors in your WIP!
Posted by: dee | 30 April 2010 at 09:50
Oh good, I hope you (and Luke!) like them! The yarn is pretty soft, not really scratchy at all. I'm impressed with it. ;)
Melanie Odette
MSPA Gold Certified
Evaluating Hampton Roads, VA - Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News & Williamsburg - and Outer Banks, NC
melanie_odette@yahoo.com
757.735.2124 (cell) or 757.735.2177 (alternate)
Please visit our charity, CARE Package in memory of our son Robby at www.carepackageinc.com! Also, use Goodsearch.com to raise a penny for our charity each time you search. Thanks!
Posted by: Smellyann | 29 April 2010 at 13:11
Oh & I think those shorties are going to be my FREAKING FAVORITE! I love the colors! How is the yarn? Soft? Scratchy?
Posted by: Stephanie Goetsch | 29 April 2010 at 11:19
You're AWESOME!
Dr. P sucks!
Math U See would be my recommendation too!
No exp. with HOP but, I've heard that it works!
I'm so proud of you!
I got some knit shorties in the mail today, I'll bring them tomorrow so you can see a finished product! Luke's inseam is only 2.5 or 3" so that'll save you some knitting! (not the 4 I had measured earlier)
Posted by: Stephanie Goetsch | 29 April 2010 at 11:18
As a blogger and Ravelryer (is that a word?), geography will be a piece of cake - you have a worldwide network of people that can answer questions!
Dr P sounds like the consultant I saw with my daughter - everything I said, he repeated exactly the opposite into his little tape recorder. Still, at least over here we don't have to pay for the privilege of being ignored. :)
Posted by: Dianne | 29 April 2010 at 08:45
So pretty! What does the waist band measure? That'll be the easiest way to see if they are on target for fitting him!
Posted by: Stephanie | 29 April 2010 at 07:25