Conquering ADHD: Setting a Boy Free

My son had been behaving obnoxiously for years. At two I noticed a refusal to do things that were asked, loud screaming and fits, which appeared to be the terrible twos that everyone told me to expect. At three there were more terrible tantrums and I wondered when the terrible twos turned to terrible threes. At four the fits continued even more. At five he made it through kindergarten without anyone at school coming in contact with a fit. He excelled at math and could add double digits in his head. However, as he progressed from kindergarten to first grade and on through school the fits were seen by all. The outbursts of rage could not be hidden and many conferences were called. I did not want him labeled with an illness and I did not want to medicate him. So, I struggled silently not even having a name to go with the video of every day life. I am not saying that there are not plenty of times of fun and laugher because there are. I am not saying that our life has been or is bleak and miserable. I am saying that my child's behavior has been marked by rage and tantrums. I noticed very early in age that he was overly active but I didn't mind that so much. I have just kept him busy riding his bike, playing outside, and playing with imaginative toys. One benefit to his make up is that he is fascinated with the knowledge of how things work and how things fit together so he loves knowledge and as long as the teachers poured extra work on his agenda he has kept himself fascinated. I am thankful for the patient and catering teachers that have taught him each year.

His father and I have prayed, changed his diet, disciplined him, cried, and yes at times given up and had to start all over seemingly from scratch. He was gorgeous as a baby and small boy and he is even more so now that he is reaching his pre-teen years. I am often thankful for how attractive looking he is. It has helped others adults, and even me, to be more forgiving. Seeing those beautiful eyes and that messy long hair, and that sweet little boy face has helped. This was the first year that I got seriously concerned. Puberty hit and the little boy face changed, he grew very tall and he got loud and strong.