DJ + A.D.D. =

A very, very tired and stressed out mommy...

DJ is such a lovable and caring little boy, but he is every bit a little terror. He was such a calm baby until he turned one, and since then he has been so crazy and will not sit still if his life depended on it. Every day seems like a battle with not listening or acting out. Some days I feel like crawling in my closet with a bottle of wine {I know that sounds bad, but its the truth.} and crying.

I will ask him to calm down and watch his cartoon/movie or turn off one of his toys, he will tell me no and throw a tantrum. We have tried time outs in the corner, washing his mouth out with soap, taking toys away and even spankings... Nothing works or phases him. No matter how many times I tell him to do something or tell him "No," he just ignores me and does whatever it is. Once he turns Four, we can get him evaluated and if necessary Medicate. I am not one for medicating a child, but sometimes it is necessary. I have tried so many things to get him to calm down or just listen, and nothing works. I love my son more than anything in the world, I just wish he would listen and calm down. Dave had childhood ADHD and my sister had ADD as a child, so it was inevitable that one of my kids would get it.

Here are some of the following indicators of A.D.D. {Bold are DJ}

- Difficulty keeping attention on work or play activities at school and at home
- Losing or forgetting things like toys, pencils, books, or tools needed for a task
- Avoids or dislikes activities that require sitting still or a sustained effort
- Seems disorganized and doesn't pay close attention to details
- Has trouble with tasks that require planning ahead
- Forgets things and is easily distracted
- Does not follow directions or finish tasks, often skipping from one uncompleted activity to another
- Does not appear to be listening when someone is speaking
- Does not pay attention and makes careless mistakes
- Is forgetful about daily activities
- Has a tendency to daydream
- Becomes easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds
- Rarely follows instructions carefully and completely
- Throws temper tantrums

To complicate things further, different symptoms may appear in different settings, depending on the child and the demands of different surroundings:

- A child who can't sit still will be noticeable in school, but the daydreamer may be overlooked. Yet both may have different types of ADD.
- The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be seen as a 'problem child', while the child who is sluggish may be seen as 'unmotivated'. Yet again, both may have different types of ADD.

All info here


I just want my baby to be happy and healthy...