10 year old who is constantly disruptive

[Anonymous]

I am almost certain my 10-year old son has ADHD. He is driving us all crazy. he is constantly disruptive and can't seem to settle down and play on his own. He is either talking to me incessantly, bothering his two younger siblings, or whining or causing other disruptions. He is very smart and will read at night for a couple of hours, but that is the only time he is not getting on everyone's nerves. he is also okay when he has a friend over to play. It is hard for me to function. I can't even make a grocery list without dealing with disruptions or interruptions from him every one to five minutes. I do not believe in medication. Does anyone have any good suggestions to get him to calm down and stop seeking attention constantly? I need some peace around here.

[Anonymous]

If you think your child has ADHD or some other medical condition, you should take him to a doctor. Have you spoken to your pediatrician? That will be a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think your child has ADHD or some other medical condition, you should take him to a doctor. Have you spoken to your pediatrician? That will be a good place to start.

+1

OP, lots of things would cause behavior like this and not all of them neurological.

[Anonymous]

I do not believe in medication. Does anyone have any good suggestions to get him to calm down and stop seeking attention constantly? I need some peace around here.

I call troll.

[Anonymous]

I do not believe in medication. Does anyone have any good suggestions to get him to calm down and stop seeking attention constantly? I need some peace around here.

I call troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am almost certain my 10-year old son has ADHD. He is driving us all crazy. he is constantly disruptive and can't seem to settle down and play on his own. He is either talking to me incessantly, bothering his two younger siblings, or whining or causing other disruptions. He is very smart and will read at night for a couple of hours, but that is the only time he is not getting on everyone's nerves. he is also okay when he has a friend over to play. It is hard for me to function. I can't even make a grocery list without dealing with disruptions or interruptions from him every one to five minutes. I do not believe in medication. Does anyone have any good suggestions to get him to calm down and stop seeking attention constantly? I need some peace around here.

The medication is not to help you, but to help your child. It seems like if you really wanted to help your child, you would be open to all ways of helping him. I would suggest you see a doctor and get a medical diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Your lucky your kids are all alive and healthy given you do not believe in medication. No one has needed an antibiotic or a puffer or anesthesia or chemo or a stimulant. You are very fortunate indeed.

[Anonymous]

Well, you'd better start believing in medication, sweetheart.

[Anonymous]

What are his diet and exercise like, for starters? Does he get daily activities appropriate for his age and activity level? Does he eat a crapload of sugar?

Next, what are his hobbies? Does he have stuff to do that is fun for him? Does he spend a lot of time with friends?

His siblings- what is the age difference? Why is he "bothering" them vs playing with them? Why aren't you promoting them all playing together?

Finally, does he get your undivided attention at all? Just mom time without other siblings or other distractions?

[Anonymous]

I will need to evaluate all of that...

I am pretty careful with his diet. I try to do whole foods but sometimes DH lets him have a soda. the Halloween candy this year drove me crazy and it was difficult to limit, but now finally it is gone.

The siblings are twins who are 2.5 years younger and they play together with each other well. Older brother sometimes plays well with them but mostly he disrupts what they are doing. I need to work on having him play nicely with them.

I need to get him more activities/toys. I limit electronics severely and so he prob. does need more stuff to keep him busy.

He plays outside and takes swimming lessons but not every day. His school has good recess time (1 hour every day) plus PE and another class - karate. So actually he is kept pretty active at school.

I don't have much time alone with him because I am usually with all three kids.

Thank you for your ideas!

[Anonymous]

ITA about not jumping on the 'I will never medicate' train op. You'd better be open to it if it's the only way for your child to live a productive life.

[Anonymous]

ADHD would affect every arena of his life. He would drive his teachers crazy too. Is that happening?

[Anonymous]

What comes across is how bored this child is and how little you like him. Doesn't sound medical.

[Anonymous]

he is pretty good at school.

however, at home, he is easily distracted. It takes dozens of reminders for him to brush his teeth and get dressed for school or ready for bed.

I have read lots of info on ADHD and he fits the symptoms except he is not always in trouble at school at all.

He talks excessively. He badgers and whines. And yes, he drives me crazy. I feel bad about this but if you have ever lived with a hyper child, I bet you would get annoyed too. It is exhausting. He is constantly constantly "at" me. His siblings will go play on their own. They don't constantly pester me every 30 seconds. It is weird.

We have hundreds of toys and activities but maybe I do need to find new ones, which is difficult in this electronics age. I am not just going to give him Adderrall and video games. I do not think that will make his life better. It would prob. make my life better only. I am sure that kids have had ADHD for hundreds of years and they were not medicated years ago. I just don't want him addicted to stimulants. I am an all natural type person and I am with the Scientologists on that point - that psych meds are untested and could be dangerous.

[Anonymous]

I guess i will try the Feingold diet and somehow sign him up for more activities.