Update on Aidan

Well, it has been a hard month for us with Aidan. I feel like his issues are consuming my life. I know part of it is the time of the year. It's too cold to play outside, so he has inside recess most days. I think he is going stir crazy like everyone else! I will be glad for Spring. But he has been lying a ton lately. He lies about everything. Sometimes he does so he won't get in trouble, or to get out of trouble. Other times I don't even think he realizes he is doing it. The lies just come out of his mouth without him thinking about it! If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny!!!

School and homework have been very difficult for Aidan these past couple weeks. The weighted belt he wears has helped a lot with his hyperactivity, but he still can't focus and concentrate to get his work done. He is easily distracted and off in space half of the time. Most days, his teacher has to sit right with him or he doesn't get anything done! Homework is the same way. We can't leave him alone to do it. We have to sit right with him and fight with him to work on it. It's a battle, and one that we usually don't win, at least not without a lot of bloodshed!!!

We took him to get bloodwork and an EKG done so he can go on medication for the ADHD. I feel like we are doing and have done everything we can for him, and he is still struggling. His teacher is wonderful, and she is constantly trying new things to help him be successful, but he still needs so much attention. It's so frustrating to see him struggle so much. And I know Aidan feels the same way. We went to the psychiatrist today and he gave us a perscription for meds. We will start Aidan on them as soon as his doctor see his EKG results. I am so nervous about all of the side effects and all of the horror stories you hear about meds. But we have really prayed about this, and we think this is the best thing for Aidan right now.

I am going to do some more research online about diet stuff that may help. I looked into this a little, but the book I read was fairly extreme and very overwhelming so I sorta gave up on it. I think I will look into it some more and see what I can come up with online. I just don't know if changing or limiting his diet is the best option for him right now. He is already very emotional and has an extremely hard time with change or being different from other kids. Limiting or changing what foods he can and cannot have may just be enough to push him over the edge! Or maybe that's just an excuse for me not wanting to put all the work into completely changing our family's lifestyle! I don't know.

I just feel like either way we go, meds or no meds, people are judging us. If we don't do meds, I feel like people don't want to be around Aidan because he can get so out of control. If we do meds, I feel like people think we are bad parents because we aren't coming up with some natural alternative to fix him. I know I shouldn't worry about what others think, but of course I do.

So that's where we are with Aidan. I love that boy so much, and yet he frustrates me more than ever!!! But he is so loving and generous. And he is constantly making us laugh. I just have to try and stay calm, even when he isn't. That is REALLY hard for me to do. Pray for us!

Cherene :)