Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Homeschooling and the AD/HD Child

I know there are thousands of people who are taking their children's education seriously and making the decision to teach their children at home. Hoping to teach them how to think outside of the box. I am one of those parents. We took the leap when my youngest went to kindergarten and my son who was in third grade had a (what I term as) a nervous reaction to the MCT test. I was tired of sending them to strangers every day and not knowing what was going on and being the way I am, fearing the worst.

I was not entirely wrong. I hear reports from acquaintances about 10 years olds trading their cell phones for bb guns on the bus. This coming from an area that is supposed to be safe and the school district excellent. Incidences like these either not reported or reported and swept under the rug. I just want my kids to grow up the way they should not the way someone says they should. Public education is a right but not always necessary for a growing number of families throughout North America.

Now being in charge of my children's education is not easy especially when one is AD/HD. I knew something was not right but I had no clue the he was AD/HD. I continuously had to teach him what he was supposed to have learned during the day at school. He brought homework assignments home each night but didn't have a clue what he was supposed to do. We knew he was intelligent that was a given--but why was he not getting what was being taught? He was also extremely forgetful and disorganized.

 The first day of grade three he didn't eat because he misplaced his lunch money and was too afraid to talk to the teacher. Imagine how it feels to be a mom and know that you are sending your child to fend for himself every day. I sent an email to the teacher and she never answered it. A week later I sent a note and she said she never used her email. Communication at it's finest. I do not knock the teachers they have a big job and don't get compensated for what they do (just like firefighters, EMTs,nurses, police). I just decided that was not the way I wanted to raise my children. All of my child's teachers always marveled at how well behaved he was.

Behavior wise my AD/HD was super polite and well behaved in school. We got the worst when he was at home. He would either get off the bus smiling and happy, sullen and quiet, or fighting mad. He has moderate social anxiety and rarely speaks outside the home. He has my introverted personality. In this world of extroverts, introverts really have a steep slope to climb. It always hurt me that my child never got invited to other children's birthdays. It never bothered him because he hated all of the anxiety that came with having to mingle with other kids and strangers.
MORE TO COME TOMORROW.


Diet Update: I have lost 6 pounds on the Dukan diet this month and at least two inches. My jeans are too big. 14 pounds to go!


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