Fighting for Answers | Author Archives | Page 136carl, Author at Fighting for Answers

calm seas on the prairie before the storm

Well, in 25 minutes the rest of the kids will be out of school for the day. And what has been a quiet interlude for my youngest and I, will turn into a storm. Why? It seems that as soon as his siblings get home from school, a switch is flipped and he is determined to do anything in his power to get any attention that he can, doesn’t seem to matter if the attention is positive or negative. The jury is still out on whether or not it is the Reactive Attachment Disorder that causes or enhances this behaviour. All I know is that it is very frustrating. I can see how frustrating for him it is. He and I have talked about it, and he is usually pretty good at explaining why he does some of the things that he does. But, he has no explanation for why

facebook and my pre-teen

Well, my pre-teen has signed up for a facebook account again. What to do… ? Well, we did a couple of things. reset the password add a second email to the account. (whenever he tries to change the password, I get notified.) the only way he gets to use the account is if an adult is with him. break the rules, no computer. He has created accounts in the past, really it isn’t that hard to convince facebook that you are old enough to have an account. We have deactivated his accounts in the past. Why are we giving in this time? Pick your battles. In the month since he has been home from the residential facility, he has done very well. Our rules for facebook: No pictures outside of the ones that mom and dad have approved. no negative posts. no cussing. all friends have to be approved by

Medications, bane or beneficial?

Medication to control ADHD, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses can be both a benefit and a bane to the children who take them. Our son, born addicted to illicit drugs, has had zero chance to function without medications modifying his affect. What does this mean? Simply put, without medications, he has little hope of being a functional member of society. Even with medications, his chances are at best fifty percent. Without meds, there is no self-control. He has a difficult time sitting still for more than a couple of minutes with his meds, without them, there is no sitting still. He sleeps three to four hours a night without his meds, sometimes less. With his meds, he averages about 6 though they are restless hours. On some occasions, usually every couple of weeks he can go two to two and a half days without sleep. We have no idea