“If I didn’t know who that kid was, I would say he’s as high as a kite.” These are the words coming out of the mouth of my husband first thing this morning. Let’s just say that when I dreamed of having a husband and kids, conversations like this about our manic 10-year-old were not on my list of expected issues.
I’m pretty sure that all of these sleep issues he’s been having are manic episodes.
When I found out our Thanksgiving dinner table was going to have few guests, I was excited about having Ezra’s help and making Thanksgiving dinner with him! He did not disappoint! All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving. I’m so thankful for my little family and how they have taught me to enjoy the simplest things in life. I’m so proud of Ezra and the growth and maturity I’m seeing in him. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come as a family.
So, what is to be done when our kids so desperately need two antithetical things (consistency and novelty), especially in regard to homeschooling?
When people ask how homeschooling with ADHD is going, I usually reply, “It’s going so great. I mean…it’s messy and chaotic and loud and frustrating and most of the time I want to pull my hair out. But it’s the best decision we ever made.”
We have just finished up our FIRST year of homeschooling and the completion of Ezra’s 3rd grade year! June 1st marks our first day of year two! As we moved through the summer of 2019, I spent a lot of time just trying to figure out where Ezra was, academically speaking. Some areas needing improvement … [Read more…]
Tomorrow is the day I have kind of dreaded for the last three months. August 26th. The day Ezra shoulda woulda coulda be going back to public school to start 3rd grade. I expected this day to hit me hard with panic: like HOLY CRAP WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!?! Instead, my heart is full of PEACE and EXCITEMENT and ALL THE HAPPY FEELS! We are doing this. We are really doing this!!!
This morning, I walked into Ezra’s school and informed his principal we will be homeschooling next year.
Talk about one of the most terrifying moments of my life…
I could sit here and write 2000+ words about the steps that rapidly led up to this decision, the multitude of reasons as to why we feel like homeschooling is the best choice, the curriculum we are looking at, and the plans that we have. But none of that really matters, nor is it really anyone’s business.
That said, I feel that what I MUST chronicle is the transformation that has taken place in my heart and mind over the last week that I can only attribute to a miraculous act of God.
My counselor looked at me with a tilt of her sassy head and a half-smile and and said, “But girl, remember who you battle! You were riding high and Satan couldn’t have that. Satan hates the family, and he’s doing everything he can to destroy yours. He was gonna hit you hard and he sure did!”
I was blessed to receive a review copy of the book Beyond the Diagnosis: The Path to Thriving as a Special Needs Parent by Amy Mattson. Amy is a fellow special needs blogger whom I’ve known for quite some time via the internet, and I knew that her book would be a blessing. This book exceeded by expectations.
Medicating your child’s ADHD can feel like a part-time job some days. This is why I say that medicating is totally NOT the easy way out for parents. If anything, it’s harder. But if it allows your child to lead a successful life and be the best version of himself he can be, then it is totally worth it.