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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Rather than focusing on dx or meds, focus on what you can do now to start fixing the problem.

Use a calendar app on your phone.  It doesn’t matter how big or small the events are, how often they repeat.  Set a default reminder time (mine is 15 minutes), so that you’ll have a reminder, even if you only make the event and get start time in before saving (usually happens for me, due to interruptions).  I try to set up specific reminders too: bedtime has 15, 10, 5, 2 and 1 minute; going out the door has the same; and reminders before school and other events start 1.5-2 hours prior.  There’s no way I would even try to navigate dl with 2+ kids without a calendar with reminders, it just wouldn’t happen.

Also, I highly recommend an Apple Watch.  I get reminders from my calendar on my watch, without needing to have my phone out all day.  Anything I need to remember that isn’t attached to an event or isn’t going to happen the same day, I just dictate a text to myself.  Then, after kids are in bed, I transfer those texts into google calendar and my note pad.

Keep a routine going.  It’s easier to get up at 4.30, 5.30, 6 everyday and enjoy time to yourself than to jump back and forth between 5 for school days, 6.30 on weekends and maybe 7 all summer.  Do the same routine every morning before kids get up, no matter how large or small.  I get up, toilet, shower (no hair) and brush my teeth and I’m in the kitchen within 10 minutes.  I start every day with a smoothie of chia, a little Greek yogurt, a few seeds of nuts, spinach and a frozen berry or other strong fruit (apples and pears don’t work well).  That finishes waking me up so I’m ready for kids.  You may want coffee instead, or to shower after getting something to eat/drink.  It doesn’t matter, just create a routine that works as time for yourself before kids are up.

Start each child on a list of chores, for your sanity.  Your oldest is 8, but I don’t know old the others are.  Anyone in first grade and up can be responsible for cleaning up and storing their own school supplies.  They can be responsible for putting all their papers in their folder to put it away.  They can be responsible for cleaning up their own clothes and toys and reminding younger kids to clean up theirs.  They can bathe themselves when asked (though I agree that kids with long hair need help rinsing it).  Look at it from this perspective: your kids can build self-independence while you focus more on keeping the house moving.

It’s hard enough to have several kids running every which way.  It’s harder still if you don’t remember what child a told you two minutes ago.  I get it.  Just find the tools you need to be able to compensate and put your older kids in charge of as much of their own schedule and things as possible.[/quote]

These are good tips but she should be looking for a provider who will treat her and get that squared away first. Without medication there is no way I could follow your advice here. It is completely overwhelming. 
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