My name is Julia and I am Mommy to a 12-year old boy with ADHD.
When I first saw my boy I loved him. Intensely. I literally could not stop staring at him and breathing him in. Little did I know that nothing in our lives would be “normal” or “boring” or “regular”. Everything comes with sound effects. Everything is LOUDER. Everything is WILDER. And bouncier and more jumpy. I have therapists and even teachers on speed dial and I’ve had to grow a lot of hair on my teeth.
Having said all of this, I would NOT change ANYTHING about him. He is wonderfully and fearfully made and I honestly cannot complain about this blessing in my life.
I am sure that you have heard a lot about ADD/ADHD - possibly even a few horror stories – it does get a lot of both positive and negative media coverage.
Over the next month I will share some insights as well as things that have worked in our lives within our context. I’ll put some fun stuff into it and preferably keep it as light as possible.
However, in order to do that, I will first have to explore some basics and write briefly about what I am dealing with in my home.
Let’s start with some housekeeping and a disclaimer or three.
- I am writing from the point of view of a lay person and I am not a trained medical professional. Only a Mommy. My experiences and my opinions are my own.
- I LOVE comments. I LOVE a respectful debate. I do NOT like rudeness and judgement. I understand that certain aspects about ADD/ADHD can rile people up and make them say nasty things. I am asking very nicely that you don’t do that on my blog. I WILL delete your comment if I perceive it to be rude or negative or judgemental in any way. Remember, it’s not WHAT you say but THE WAY in which you say it that can make all the difference. Be kind. I need your words to have LOVE written all over them.
- If you are shy to comment or want to talk to me off this blog, then you are welcome to send me an email – julia (dot) webber (at) gmail (dot) com. I’d be happy to share things.
Tomorrow I’ll just run through a few basic facts and maybe I’ll provide a few links to some cool ADD/ADHD bloggers.
Are you familiar with ADD/ADHD? Do you have personal experience with it? Do you live with it every day?
I’m looking forward to reading your insights Jules because I can answer yes to all 3 of your last questions. I am familiar with ADHD, I have personal experience with it and my family & I live with it daily.
My brother has ADHD, sadly for him, his diagnosis came as an adult. I think it’s fabulous that your son has been diagnosed young and that you are taking steps to assist him. I believe it will make all the difference when he ventures out into life as an independent adult!
I look forward to learning more my friend xx
I also look forward to reading more! I don’t know too much about it either, only what I have heard on the grapevine.
I know NOTHING about ADHD except what I’ve read on your blog but I see that there’s a lot more and looking forward to learning more this month.
Tell us more about the WILDER
Is it good wild or bad wild? (WIld is usually good in my eyes 
)
LOL…wild is GOOD. Only if the environment is conducive to it. They typical kid with ADHD is unable to see what is appropriate within a particular environment which is really what’s the problem. Wild in the park or on the beach = awesome. Wild and LOUD in class or church = NOT GOOD. Maybe I should write a post on that?
So looking forward to the next month of nuggets from a seasoned mom! As you know we went to ADHASA seminar in May this year and are starting out on the ‘journey’ our little guy is only 4 but already there are unmissable signs and life is LOUD and BUSY…
Looking forward to reading about your experience. Nothing beats learning from someone with first-hand experience!
Look forward to reading this – my only exposure so far has been what I’ve read on other blogs. Well, there are one or two grown-ups in my life that I secretly think may have missed out on being diagnosed but I’m hardly an expert.
I have AD/HD Combined Type (not officially diagnosed) and my son has the same, diagnosed at age 6. He’s 21 now and refusing treatment. Life’s a roller coaster indeed!