Hi I was just browsing this site and I ran in to your post so I signed in to reply to you.......... I am a single mom with bipolar 2 and adhd with 2 kids my daughter is 11 has add and my son8 has adhd My daughter has changed a lot and I noticed mine doesn't reveal so much like she used to, I am trying to get her open up but not forcing her......I tell her my own stories and give her time to think about them. One day she has a best friend and next day she doesn't. One thing for sure both my kids needs time of their own with me, so I try to spend at least 20 minutes of time with each of them and talk about things they like excluding dinner time or homework time.

I got diagnosed 6 years ago so I went through some time to get the grip of the whole thing....for long time I felt sorry for myself and my past until about 2 years ago, although I was seeing counseling and psychiatric doctor and etc, not to mention in and out of children's appointments, doctors and schools and counseling , one thing that helped me the most was I accepted the fact that I am having this chaotic life around me and I have 2 choices, be depress about it and make my kids life depress too or try to make best of my situation because I love my children and I want them to be a better adults.........

Going through mood sewings and lack of attention I was challenged with much harder life than when I was single, so I started with mini steps by trying to improve something , anything even just one a day or week is a step to improving.

some of the things I did , I place a large wall planner in my room so it showed me the 4 months at a time with eraser markers ......for the appointments......then when I got my children in the good mood, I got them to create a large home wall planner for all of us to share chores, watching tv, eating times, homeworks, readings and play time with mom etc, by asking them questions about their preferences by given them in advance choices, kids love to feel important when you put them in charge.

my children are still messy, break things, spill drinks, juices , loose things etc, I used to get so mad and hated it too......but I realized I am the same way as they are, they are just victim of my anger!, so now I just hold my breath and my daughter ran to help me solve it. Like the other day she went to frig to get an egg for me she ended up dropping 4, (the egg box was wet and loose)

When I am down and sad or moody I go to my room for recovery, I try to make it short since I easily get side track maybe go on my computer or maybe getting to my closet to fold clothes on the floor and then I see a shoe box on the floor full of pictures of my childhood I go to sit on my bed to see them I realize my bed needed to be fixed someone knocking on the door, oh it's a neighbour wanted to know if I can help her jump her car and go off with her outside and next thing kids off to do what they want to do too.......I looked at the time and it's 8 p.m and we all missed everything planned for the night........

so I would like to say to you enjoy your life with your kids have fun with them, and for every little thing you do give yourself a pat on the shoulder because it's not easy......I got involve with other single mothers support group and adhd support group and I found it to be helpful sharing is good even if it's not exactly a like. This is a great site and has so much informations. This can be the start.

me2 oh one last thing get involve with your daughter's school, let the principal and teacher know about your daughter's difficulties and share a way to improve the problem together let them know that you are also concern, advocate on behalf of your child, .......

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Hi- I don't have a lot of experience with Bi-polar. However, I I have a 9 year old diagnosed with ADHD and have been looking for non-medication ways to help my son. We have been trying True Hope, EM Power. It is mostly for bi-polar people. It is vitamins and minerals in higher doses. Go to Truehope.com for testimonials. I don't know if I can mention another product on this website. But I have been trying if for my own depression and add. I see an improvement after 2 months. It isn't overnight but I feel like it is healing the problem and not just putting a bandaid on it. Both my son and I are doing better. I plan on continuing true hope along with improved diet and nutrition.

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First, sounds like the school is not up on their ADHD/ODD combo research. An ADHD child should NEVER be in a restrained lunch or recess. They are setting her up for failure. All the energy she did not get rid of during lunch is going to come out 10 fold during her next classes. And then she will be frustrated and be more defiant. Anytime my ADHD/ODD daughter deserves silent lunch or no recess we make sure she stays moving. Walking laps but not where the will be embarassed, running office errands (delvering teacher mail, following the principals around while they make rounds, or stocking books in the library) Not only does this burn some energy, it gives them some of the confidence they lack. The worse thing you can do to an ODD child is to call them out and embarass them. It just makes it worse. Teachers MUST learn to speak monotone, calmly, and explain the problem of the behavior without blaming the child or the ADHD/ODD. They need to learn that ADHD is like asthma you learn to live with it and work around it, but it is not an excuse. Treat the symptoms and move on.

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First, sounds like the school is not up on their ADHD/ODD combo research. An ADHD child should NEVER be in a restrained lunch or recess. They are setting her up for failure. All the energy she did not get rid of during lunch is going to come out 10 fold during her next classes. And then she will be frustrated and be more defiant. Anytime my ADHD/ODD daughter deserves silent lunch or no recess we make sure she stays moving. Walking laps but not where the will be embarassed, running office errands (delvering teacher mail, following the principals around while they make rounds, or stocking books in the library) Not only does this burn some energy, it gives them some of the confidence they lack. The worse thing you can do to an ODD child is to call them out and embarass them. It just makes it worse. Teachers MUST learn to speak monotone, calmly, and explain the problem of the behavior without blaming the child or the ADHD/ODD. They need to learn that ADHD is like asthma you learn to live with it and work around it, but it is not an excuse. Treat the symptoms and move on.

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hello Mom with ADHD/ODD child,

I understand it is difficult for Teachers to understand since they do not have these problems. I have a BS in Early Childhood Education where I had to go to Special Classes myself. I went to College through a Special Program called "College Now"... I guess I was truly blessed to make it through 6 years of College!!! It was a long, dusty road and trial and error for me. I have learned a lot about eating a better diet, taking flax oil supplements and helping my daughter to do the same. It helps to some degree.

I have been VERY involved with the teachers, School Psychologists now for quite some time... Now that my daughter, now 11 and in Middle School, it is difficult for the teachers to understand. It would be a good idea to call a meeting with the Teacher/ or Teachers and let get information from ADDitude that you can download and print up and type what you expect the Teacher to Accommodate for your child in the classroom.

I believe that noone should be punished for having a difficulty like this... My personal belief is that rewards work much better and getting your Teacher to be on the same page with you in coming up with a Positive Reinforcement Plan...... If things don't work out with the Teacher, call a meeting with the Principal, School Psychologist and work things out to resolve the issues...

I hope and pray this helps and that I believe noone should be suffering or punished for ADD...... Encouragement and rewards work best.!

Good luck...!

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