Anonymous wrote:So burnt out. My son just turned five, and his functional level is more like a nonverbal 3-year-old. So he needs constant supervision, and he tantrums and throws stuff when he doesn't get his way, and we're still working on potty-training.

Meanwhile, my 9-year-old whines, pouts and feels neglected because her brother has to be the center of things so often. School with her is its own kind of drama. (She has mild ADHD and has been on an IEP since first grade. She's doing much better and only needs support in math now -- but it's still a process.)

I try to remember everybody has their own shit to deal with and life isn't fair. But sometimes having a SN kid seems EXTRA unfair.

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. I can't tell you how many visits to urologists and other doctors and effort we put into all of that, and not one of them said "This is not uncommon with ADHD kids and can be treated with ADHD medication." We decided to medicate the ADHD for other reasons, but the most immediate and helpful impact was the improvement in the potty issues. If you research it, there's a fair amount of medical research documenting the link, but for some reason the urologists don't seem to want to tell people that, or don't know about it. Fixing that one thing did take a lot of stress of us, because we weren't constantly in the position of having to leave places because his pants were wet and he had used up all his changes of clothing.

So burnt out. My son just turned five, and his functional level is more like a nonverbal 3-year-old. So he needs constant supervision, and he tantrums and throws stuff when he doesn't get his way, and we're still working on potty-training.

Meanwhile, my 9-year-old whines, pouts and feels neglected because her brother has to be the center of things so often. School with her is its own kind of drama. (She has mild ADHD and has been on an IEP since first grade. She's doing much better and only needs support in math now -- but it's still a process.)

I try to remember everybody has their own shit to deal with and life isn't fair. But sometimes having a SN kid seems EXTRA unfair.

Agree, although summer isn't all roses either. Without school and day camps, DS loses structure and is constantly clinging to me for something to do. Seems incapable of coming up with his own plans, plus many of his friends will be gone for several weeks of sleep away camp. We tried sleep away last summer and it was a horrible experience for him, so we're stuck with him, LOL, throughout this time.

Anonymous wrote:I also feel like I should say....there is a direct correlation between these "I am burnt out"/"I am in a bad place" type posts and the crappy weather. I remember the year we had the polar vortex and snow for weeks on end, there were a LOT of threads about how everyone was coming apart at the seams. I suspect that those of us with "high energy" kids have all been through the wringer for the last two rainy months, especially with all those recess and sports cancellations .... here's hoping for some improved weather that will get those kids out and moving again so that they brains can start settling down!

I think you may be right about that. For the last few weeks I felt so despondent, like all the blood (and patience and energy) had been drained from my body. Every day it was something with the school, at home—bad behavior through the roof. Things aren't exactly fantastic now, but wow—they are so much better this week and I am also no longer in the pits of despair. Here's to a little Vitamin D!

But, yes—hand way up on the burn out. So ready to not be in school.

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.

22:11 here. I can SO relate! Despite this being our best year ever, because DS is finally on meds for his severe ADHD, with a strengthened IEP, and is way more functional than before, he still acts surprised when I tell him he's supposed to be doing something which he does every day at the same time.

My hand is way up. This has been a difficult year. We are constantly adjusting medication and still have not found the right combination. DD is very anxious and irritable much of the time, so the littlest thing can set her off. I get calls from the school almost every day. We just got our first IEP, which took close to a year because the initial placement the school wanted was totally unsuitable. Meanwhile, she received only makeshift services and missed a lot of classes, as school took a "hurry up and wait attitude."

Sigh...

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 ...

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.

We have had a shockingly good week -- it's been 6 school days without a call or email from the school and he seems to be getting *almost* all the marks on his behavioral chart/contract. I was pretty despondent a couple of weeks ago when I was getting a LOT Of calls, and had been rejected from the privates we applied to. So I'm trying to enjoy the quiet moment and fool myself into thinking it will all be good now.
I also feel like I should say....there is a direct correlation between these "I am burnt out"/"I am in a bad place" type posts and the crappy weather. I remember the year we had the polar vortex and snow for weeks on end, there were a LOT of threads about how everyone was coming apart at the seams. I suspect that those of us with "high energy" kids have all been through the wringer for the last two rainy months, especially with all those recess and sports cancellations .... here's hoping for some improved weather that will get those kids out and moving again so that they brains can start settling down!

Here, here sister - I just finished today my third round of neuropsych testing for my youngest third child and - no shock - she has ADHD/active and dyslexia - the others have their issues too. It's too much sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:I got 2 hands up. My youngest will be 10 tomorrow. His needs/challenges are the most significant of all my kids. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I think each year will get easier - and to a certain extent it does (or else I've become more numb, maybe a bit of both). I keep hoping, someday, I'll be able to get interventions, get my weight down, my hair professionally colored, a facial, etc. ......Oh, and maybe someday my house will be clean even when company isn't coming over!

OP here. I so relate. My weight has gone up each year, my hair is horrid and my house is a mess. I'm pretty sure we have put our ST, OTs and tutors' kids through college with all the money we have spent!

I got 2 hands up. My youngest will be 10 tomorrow. His needs/challenges are the most significant of all my kids. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I think each year will get easier - and to a certain extent it does (or else I've become more numb, maybe a bit of both). I keep hoping, someday, I'll be able to get interventions, get my weight down, my hair professionally colored, a facial, etc. ......Oh, and maybe someday my house will be clean even when company isn't coming over!

Anonymous wrote:Hugs, OP.
We had our nightmare year last year, and this year has been a breakthrough year for DC. Much less stress for me. I can focus a little more on the rest of my life for a change, it's... weird.
Hang in there!

OP here. This gives me hope. Thanks!

Hugs, OP.
We had our nightmare year last year, and this year has been a breakthrough year for DC. Much less stress for me. I can focus a little more on the rest of my life for a change, it's... weird.
Hang in there!

My hand is up. This was a tough year and I have to keep stopping myself from this feeling of dread. What if next year is worse? Pass the Pina Coladas please!