Raise your hand if you are feeling burnt out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to go off-topic, but I just wanted to share that my child had constant potty accidents until we put him on a low dose of ADHD meds.

That is fantastic to know, actually! Thanks. The problem seems to be that he doesn't know he has to go until it's basically already happened; if ADHD treatment can help that, it's another argument in favor of taking the plunge. (He's not medicated yet, but we're going to discuss it at the next appointment.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's been a rough year- we are ready for a break. My DS has basically no idea what he is supposed to be doing at any given moment. I've come to accept that as a fact this year and it's not getting better any time soon.

I spent a small fortune at Target this morning on a whiteboard, markers, and other scheduling tools so he doesn't act surprised when I mention that he needs to get dressed.

The big whiteboard in my DS's room has actually worked out very well this year. We put it in after I decided he needed to get ready for school and remember what to bring on his own and that was a disaster until DH suggested a big white board. Generally, DS still doesn't remember what I say five seconds after I say it and still seems lost in the clouds a lot, but what is on the whiteboard is really getting done independently now. I know it will work for you as well!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been a rough year- we are ready for a break. My DS has basically no idea what he is supposed to be doing at any given moment. I've come to accept that as a fact this year and it's not getting better any time soon.

I spent a small fortune at Target this morning on a whiteboard, markers, and other scheduling tools so he doesn't act surprised when I mention that he needs to get dressed.

The big whiteboard in my DS's room has actually worked out very well this year. We put it in after I decided he needed to get ready for school and remember what to bring on his own and that was a disaster until DH suggested a big white board. Generally, DS still doesn't remember what I say five seconds after I say it and still seems lost in the clouds a lot, but what is on the whiteboard is really getting done independently now. I know it will work for you as well!!!!!!

I need to try this. I don't know how it's always a shocker when it's time to change for bed and brush teeth. I've literally told him "We do this every evening!!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been a rough year- we are ready for a break. My DS has basically no idea what he is supposed to be doing at any given moment. I've come to accept that as a fact this year and it's not getting better any time soon.

I spent a small fortune at Target this morning on a whiteboard, markers, and other scheduling tools so he doesn't act surprised when I mention that he needs to get dressed.

The big whiteboard in my DS's room has actually worked out very well this year. We put it in after I decided he needed to get ready for school and remember what to bring on his own and that was a disaster until DH suggested a big white board. Generally, DS still doesn't remember what I say five seconds after I say it and still seems lost in the clouds a lot, but what is on the whiteboard is really getting done independently now. I know it will work for you as well!!!!!!

I need to try this. I don't know how it's always a shocker when it's time to change for bed and brush teeth. I've literally told him "We do this every evening!!"

Sounds like the Target spree may have some returns. DS is going to have a lot of reading and math work over the summer (not crazy amounts, but about 2 hours total per day). Let's hope the whiteboard and reward systems see us through!

[Anonymous]

Off topic here - about white boards - we have one big one in the 'staging' area and one in boys' room. We use them a lot, especially to make lists. If you have minimal skills and power tools, you don't have to spend more than $20. We got tile board from Home Depot ($12/sheet) that is used in bathrooms. DH cut it (although I think Home Depot will do that for you, too.) and screwed it into the wall. He put trim around it (HD will definitely cut that for you) and we painted it. Looks great and is super cheap. You can find a lot of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're onto something with the weather. My DS, who normally is impossible to drag out of bed in the morning, was up with the birds yesterday morning and chipper. He helped with morning chores and was practically euphoric about the sun. I came home and DH commented we had a changeling.

I feel like I'm courting disaster by saying this, but it feels like over the last few months we've turned a corner. It certainly hasn't been all roses, but DS is actually eager to read from his book for reading lessons in the evenings and even does word drills without a fight. We just started down the road of stimulants and his teacher has commented he's happier, calmer, and even asking on-topic questions. DS2 is as high energy, loud, and impossible as ever and drives DH up the wall but he's gotten so much better at articulating we've gotten to the bottom of WHY he has problems with some things.

Of course I think a big piece of why I'm generally optimistic right now is looking forward to spending a warm, sunny summer with the kids and all of the things we're going to be doing. Just a few more weeks ...

OP here. Hugs to all. My DC is ALWAYS better when it's a beautiful day. Having recess and breaks outdoors to run around make a world of difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Off topic here - about white boards - we have one big one in the 'staging' area and one in boys' room. We use them a lot, especially to make lists. If you have minimal skills and power tools, you don't have to spend more than $20. We got tile board from Home Depot ($12/sheet) that is used in bathrooms. DH cut it (although I think Home Depot will do that for you, too.) and screwed it into the wall. He put trim around it (HD will definitely cut that for you) and we painted it. Looks great and is super cheap. You can find a lot of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

Thank you- this is really thoughtful. Our summer is jam packed with camps, lessons, vacation, summer work from the school, and down time too. A daily list will make sure we're fitting it all in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Off topic here - about white boards - we have one big one in the 'staging' area and one in boys' room. We use them a lot, especially to make lists. If you have minimal skills and power tools, you don't have to spend more than $20. We got tile board from Home Depot ($12/sheet) that is used in bathrooms. DH cut it (although I think Home Depot will do that for you, too.) and screwed it into the wall. He put trim around it (HD will definitely cut that for you) and we painted it. Looks great and is super cheap. You can find a lot of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

Costco has a really big one in the office supplies section that is not too much and comes with a bunch of markers and magnets (it's also magnetized). Ikea also has a nice looking one that's magnetized that's a little smaller. With a magnetized big paper clippy thing, you could also attach something like homework sheets to it.

[Anonymous]

ADHD meds have not been a fix for my 6yo son's potty issues, but he has [knock wood] started to want to sleep without a GoodNite and actually does sleep dry some of the time. Even though it's a bit hard, I remember that the first days of his neurotypical twin wanting to sleep with just pajamas didn't go altogether smoothly (probably when he was four or so), so I'm sticking with it for now. His stool-holding is really a behavioral nut we have yet to crack, despite seeing a therapist who specializes in this.

Yeah, I'm pretty much in burn-out land, too. I managed to get Influenza A and B this spring, despite having gotten the flu shot. But there were many colds, often quite bad, in between. What happened to my immune system? Just caring for the boys, much less making progress on the behavioral front, is just so hard when it's taking all your energy just to work, prepare meals, etc. Wishing everyone better times!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to go off-topic, but I just wanted to share that my child had constant potty accidents until we put him on a low dose of ADHD meds.

That is fantastic to know, actually! Thanks. The problem seems to be that he doesn't know he has to go until it's basically already happened; if ADHD treatment can help that, it's another argument in favor of taking the plunge. (He's not medicated yet, but we're going to discuss it at the next appointment.)