Your welcome Godsgirl. This is a area of sensitivity for me....I had a nephew who struggled for years with ADHD and I always had the view point that so many have regarding the lack of parenting or the fact that this child just needed more discipline or boundaries, UNTIL...God gave me a son of my own with ADHD tendancies. WOW! opened my eyes completely to the reality that ADHD is a struggle and even the best parents (not that I am :)) with the best intentions have to deal with. It really is a diference of a genetic makeup in a child, nothing you can do to avoid ADHD you just have to learn to live with it...in accepting the ADHD you have to learn to accept the child in a diferent way you accept other children. You really have to retrain your commonsense way of thinking and it takes a TON of patience and forethought. Not easy and it seems for me every day can present another challenge. I wouldn't change my son for the world he is an amazing charactor, so bright and inventive, understands more and thinks deeper than the average child, but on the flip side...he has a hard time paying attention to things that don't strike his curiouslity and always desires to go against the grain.... :( easily angered and frustrated, and seems he is always down on himself. I count to 10 a lot and step out of the room when needed, or ask him to please step out for a while....definately a challenge for sure, but so worth it....I wonder what he will grow up to be every day. Seems with ADHD if they are lead properly and built up in life, by peers, teachers and all adults they can thrive beyond the normal childs abilities but, and a big "but" if they are wore down by punishment, negitive response and the all too popular "sterio typing" of troubled....they will end up far below their abilities. Selfesteem in ADHD is a make or break on what they can accomplish in life, it's up to us to help them understand their weeknesses can be overcome and their strengths are amazing! good luck with this little one, you really can be a first "important" in his life, don't give up too easy. it can be hard to deal!
