tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21971826243976842102011-11-02T07:28:41.251-07:00This blog is about a little girl who bounces off walls and does back handsprings without looking behind her to see if anyone or anything is in her way. She approaches life with a ferocious intensity and I have the privilaged job of being her M-O-M! Sadie was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety disorder at the age of 4 and this is our journey.sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-71114780115307174932011-01-31T15:01:00.000-08:002011-01-31T15:08:50.252-08:00

This will be a quick, uneditted post. It's a vent more then a post but I need to get it out....After 4 days of little to no sleep we are not having a good day! Sadie's bed is broken and I have no idea how she managed to break a wrought iron bed. Her door officially needs to be replaced from toys banging against it in a complete moment of rage. She has threatened to kill both the dog and the cat

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-15056650048604848832010-12-29T20:16:00.000-08:002010-12-29T21:09:44.519-08:00

Sadie began speaking on target and has always had a good vocabulary, but oral communication has remained a challenge for her none the less. Her inability to communicate has left us baffled as to what is going on in her little head. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have said things like, "Just ask for what you want," or "tell me what's wrong and I can help you." There have been times

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-33751156188561781152010-12-13T13:46:00.000-08:002010-12-13T20:13:40.623-08:00

I really like talking one on one with other moms of children with ADHD, especially mom's who have children who are older then Sadie. I like to get an idea of what is in store for me in the coming years. Yes, all children are different and I can't use others to predict my child's future. I realize this. However I do believe that our ADHD children have a lot in common. Thanksgiving weekend I spent

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-7728548629303104172010-11-04T18:07:00.000-07:002010-11-05T11:57:10.185-07:00

I recently read a great blog (http://adhdmomma.blogspot.com/2010/11/adhd-sibling-effect.html) about the challenges of having an ADHD child and a neurotypical child. My family relates to those challenges, and struggles with them on an on going basis. Recently I had some of the benefits show themselves...Last week was a crazy week...no crappy is a better description. My husband was out of town for

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-12258190115923015442010-10-27T11:02:00.000-07:002010-10-29T00:04:45.940-07:00

Monkey Panties(n)little girl underwear with a monkey on the tush, similar style to boy underwear without the flap in front; the only underwear my daughter will wear. Used in a sentence- "I can't find my monkey panties!"Underwear has been a problem in our house for almost 5 years now. Sadie hates underwear. It BUGS her. I have bought all types of underwear to see if there is a style that will work

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-78655305821227044512010-10-12T20:06:00.000-07:002010-10-12T20:28:16.788-07:00

This week has been a hard week. We have these weeks. I have no idea what causes them. I can't figure out how to end them. They just happen. These weeks leave me exhausted. The worst part is, laying in bed at night, wondering if she had any happy moments during the day. Did I have any positive interactions with her? Does she know I love her? Did she fall asleep feeling loved? I fall

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-5800190494518973392010-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:002010-10-04T11:17:59.698-07:00

All of Sadie's doctors appointments are at Seattle's Children's Hospital. We have our routine and I try to make it as enjoyable as possible. It is almost exactly an hour from our house to the Hospital. We try to get there a little early so that we have time to get a snack for Sadie, and coffee for me. If we have enough time we sit in the cafeteria area and enjoy our treats. At our

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-50087011575637149842010-09-19T19:44:00.000-07:002010-09-20T09:00:49.725-07:00

I have always been a fairly laid back mom. I was never one of those mom's who chased around my toddlers worrying that they might fall or bump their little heads. I consider bumping your head a life lesson, and I am there for hugs and kisses when the tears start.Since Sadie started walking we knew something wasn't quite right. She would run into walls and tables full speed, she did back flips off

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-78759524119495257862010-08-23T10:29:00.001-07:002010-09-01T14:05:41.300-07:00

This summer I have had a lot of things I have wanted to blog about. The ideas are still floating around in my brain but I have not taken the time to sit down at the computer. Somehow the "good" things just don't seem as pressing to put in writing. Summer really has been great for Sadie and for our whole family. We have been swimming, running bare foot, playing on the boat, and all the things kids

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-20869659816221201592010-07-27T09:09:00.000-07:002010-07-27T09:20:44.419-07:00

Dear Blog- I am sorry that I haven't written anything in you for so long. It's just that summer has been so busy, fun, but very busy. I have been out of all my normal routines and often out of my house. My poor house is looking very neglected but at least we all have clean clothes to wear, tomatoes and pumpkins planted, and the water well watered from the sprinkler. I would like to spend a whole

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-21142621242410934392010-06-23T05:44:00.000-07:002010-06-23T06:43:16.914-07:00

I have a firm belief that if we figure out why a child is behaving a certain way then we are better equipped to deal with the behavior. I am a analytical person by nature so analyzing my children's behavior comes very naturally to me. I have always seen this as a parenting strength. If I can figure out why they are _________(tattling more than normal, arguing, whining, tantruming, etc) then I can

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-34435048471063344482010-06-15T23:50:00.000-07:002010-06-15T23:52:13.713-07:00

Dear Sadie’s Birth Mom-First and for most, I must say thank you. You gave life to my daughter. You carried my Sadie inside of your body for 36 weeks, and for that I am eternally grateful. We prayed and we waited, we were heart broken, and then we received our beautiful daughter through you. Looking at what little I know of your situation, a lot of people would say that Sadie was a mistake. A

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-24477734606920387442010-06-10T17:52:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:23:56.142-07:00

Today Sadie had another set of appointments. We saw the therapist and her psychiatrist, and as always I went in with high expectations. I have to say that today I was not disappointed. I left with some new thoughts about how we are dealing with tantrums that I know will help us (I will write about that soon). I also left with a new mantra:Every 5 minutes that are good, are five minutes that are

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-27846660881993228292010-06-02T08:12:00.000-07:002010-06-02T13:30:27.565-07:00

After several very hard weeks with Sadie, and then a couple good days, and then some very difficult days, I didn't think I could take it any more. Nothing was making sense anymore. I'm not sure if it ever did make sense. Is she angry and agitated because she isn't getting enough sleep? If so why isn't she sleeping well? Is the behavior related to the lack of sleep or is the lack of sleep

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-11232782881942373082010-05-27T10:36:00.000-07:002010-05-27T11:54:42.740-07:00

Like most of you, I read the study about Pesticides causing ADHD. I even linked it to my facebook page. I linked it not because I believe it causes ADHD but because I believe it is a good idea to avoid pesticides if at all possible. Chemicals that kill bugs probably aren't good for any of us, right?In the last couple of days I have read several blogs commenting on this study. Most of these blogs

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-24951127877238971552010-05-20T13:47:00.000-07:002010-05-20T14:26:40.861-07:00

After yesterday's 2 hour tantrum over cleaning up a wrapper, I knew I needed something different today. Once again Sadie was up in the middle of the night and I know how those days end up. When Sadie was still asleep at 8:30am this morning I knew I couldn't wake her up for school. At this point sleep seems to be more important than Kindergarten.I thought about bringing her to school late.

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-66919339972381021482010-05-19T16:28:00.000-07:002010-05-19T16:46:59.588-07:00

Why was yesterday great?Why is today so hard for her?Why does she wake up in the middle of the night?Am I doing this right?Am I too hard on her?Am I too easy?What do her tantrums get her?Does she have any control over her tantrums?Why does she do ok at school but not at home?Why her?Is this ADHD or something else?Does anyone get this?What do I need to different?Why is everything so difficult?What

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-58959008471511001282010-05-10T21:39:00.000-07:002010-05-10T23:07:02.344-07:00

This is a non Sadie related blog about Courage. It does have an ADHD twist to the story, one that is exciting and encouraging for all of us mom's who are raising children with an ADHD diagnosis.Momalom's 5 for 10 challenge I read a blog, challenging other bloggers to write about courage. I pondered whether or not I wanted to take this on or not, and if so what would I write about.

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-6561181827005249882010-05-10T09:51:00.000-07:002010-05-10T10:20:56.794-07:00

Having a child with ADHD can be described as turbulent. It often feels like a roller coaster. The problem with this is that when things are going well I forget. I don’t forget that Sadie has ADHD. I forget that what goes up usually comes down and that there are no miracle solutions. How do I forget? Maybe it is wishful thinking, I’m not really sure. But I am quickly reminded.Yesterday Sadie had a

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-79063944819414125252010-05-05T08:34:00.000-07:002010-05-05T08:54:08.266-07:00

From the very beginning of noticing that something wasn’t quite right with Sadie, my biggest concern was that she would be discouraged. I mean, how can a child not feel discouraged when they are always getting in trouble, not invited to play dates or birthday parties, making siblings and parents frustrated daily, and frustrating other care givers? At 15 months we had issues at the gym I worked

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-12646113631493766712010-04-22T21:55:00.000-07:002010-04-22T22:41:08.230-07:00

I'm not so good at keeping up with this Thankful Thursday thing, but I still really like the idea and today I have so much to be thankful for. These pictures sum up our week pretty well.Look at that happy face! No dark circles under her eyes. It is amazing what 3 full nights sleep can do for a child (and her mom). I am so thankful that we have a doctor who listens to me and trust my instincts,

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-14615353617619754712010-04-21T08:14:00.000-07:002010-04-21T08:34:10.928-07:00

My kids love smoothies, and I can throw a lot of stuff in them if they aren't watching. With healthy eating being a focus for a lot of us, especially trying o figure out how foods correlate to our children's behavior, breakfast is my main focus. I don't want to send Sadie out the door to school on a sugar high, and set her up for failure at school.So before you read what I threw in the blender

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-8583960343259361182010-04-19T21:56:00.000-07:002010-04-19T23:49:58.501-07:00

Another trip to the doctors office today. Which for us means an hour car ride there and an hour car ride home. I tend to get pretty excited about Sadie's doctors appointments...or at least I used to. I had issues, and who else better to give me answers then doctors. Right? OK, so I admit, even now, I still get excited that maybe this time the doctor will have some miracle answer for me. Most days

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-43405573843178057172010-04-13T22:24:00.000-07:002010-04-13T22:47:33.732-07:00

I was searching my computer for an email that I needed, when I ran across a couple of interesting old documents. The first one was a some notes that I had typed up for an upcoming doctors visit. There wasn't a date on the note but I have a frame of reference because it mentioned issues with the patch staying on, so I know it was when Sadie was on Daytrona. The intersting thing about the note

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-52413935822177568002010-04-08T14:41:00.000-07:002010-04-08T17:43:13.486-07:00

Tuesday I was organized and prepared. You know, one of those days when you feel like you have your stuff together. I had been to my MOPS group that morning and enjoyed some fun mommy time. I had a delicious meal planned and in the crock pot at noon. I could smell all the yummy garlic. The day was going great….Uh oh….Around 5:00pm (which I have always referred to as the bewitching hour) my 2

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-20430114172372772732010-04-06T07:23:00.000-07:002010-04-06T07:25:19.044-07:00

It is amazing how much our family has adjusted to life with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder, and Holidays are a time that really magnifies that for me. I wouldn’t classify the adjustment as bad or good necessarily…I actually really appreciate a lot of the changes we’ve made.The Easter Bunny is not in any way a part of our Easter celebration. We don’t even joke around about it in our home. It is very

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-12839296314939592752010-04-01T11:24:00.000-07:002010-04-01T11:39:04.265-07:00

A friend that I know, through mutual blogging sites, updates her status on facebook every Thursday as Thankful Thursday. Yes, I’m talking about you Shelley! Her friends then comment on something they are thankful for that day. I am usually thankful for coffee! It helps me keep up with my four kids and their busy schedules. I love the idea of focusing on what we are thankful for and have

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-5864216903962052762010-03-29T08:20:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:30:00.302-07:00

Last week we had appointments with Sadie’s psychiatrist and therapist. My husband has not been to any of her appointments since we started having her evaluated, including the original diagnosis, which was over 2 years ago. Unfortunately, after he took the day off work to go to the appointments last week, our psychiatrist ended up being sick, and we didn’t get to see her. We did see the

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-44053935039116860942010-03-25T20:36:00.000-07:002010-03-25T20:39:22.665-07:00

While perusing a parenting board, I ran across a mom’s question about her 9 year daughter who was diagnosed with ADD. She really didn’t want to medicate her child and was asking a parenting forum for advice on how she can help her daughter to be more successful in school. The teacher had reported that the daughter was “daydreaming” more in class, and rushing through tests. Out of curiosity, I

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-8591403605685852162010-03-24T14:28:00.001-07:002010-03-25T18:25:12.211-07:00

Meltdowns are a normal part of everyday for our house hold. They are at the very least frustrating and at the worst infuriating. The things I struggle with the most around melt downs is trying to figure out what sets them off, so we can avoid them and also how to help her through them successfully. Here is a look at what is a normal, if not fairly smooth, Sunday morning. First you will see

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-78300713005250506972010-03-22T08:12:00.000-07:002010-03-22T08:14:04.557-07:00

I started blogging to vent, to get things out there with the hope that I would get a few comments in return. I hoped to connect with other moms in my position both so I could show others that what they’re going through is normal and to realize the same thing myself. What I have found is an amazing community of people who really do know exactly what I’m going through. I feel as though I’m getting

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-69728322317618560802010-03-18T08:47:00.001-07:002010-03-18T09:24:07.671-07:00

A play date was coming to an end and it was time for everyone to leave. I was busy throwing snacks into a bag for an out of town gymnastics meet we were headed to, while saying good bye to the other mom. The girls decided to go outside and wait for us. As I finished up my last minute preparations, both girls came back into the house crying.Sadie had bumped her head and her friend, who we will

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-88590576605595089722010-03-11T13:25:00.000-08:002010-03-25T18:26:19.578-07:00

This week has been amazing in the life of blogging. I have found a community I had no idea existed; a group of parents that I actually relate to, who share so many of the same experiences in raising a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I went searching for ways to promote my blog and instead found encouragement and friends. This was some of what I was hoping for in starting my

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-89881604842031253982010-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:002010-03-25T18:27:15.350-07:00

I actually hate to admit the fact that I spent many years teaching Child Development classes and Parenting Classes, because that should make me an expert and with miss Sadie I feel like anything but an expert. About a year ago I sat in her therapist office almost in tears begging for help. I didn't feel like any discipline method was effective with her.The Therapist sat and looked at me and asked

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-4151762654983800092010-03-08T08:31:00.000-08:002010-03-25T18:28:22.164-07:00

Taking applications for new Grandparents...please apply here! Ok so I'm hoping that if I vent this here I will be able to move on and forgive because I know that is what I need to do for my own good.I was having a conversation with my dad who lives in another state and he was talking about how he wants me to send him my two sons this summer. They have gone many summers to visit their Grandparents

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-60672268636899994052010-03-05T21:41:00.001-08:002010-03-05T22:05:44.137-08:00

Apple Juice is the answer to all of life's problems...at least for today. Ok, so after talking to the secretary at the school yesterday about Miss Sadie putting her medication in her pocket, some things began to make a sense. The last couple of weeks have been really hard at home. I'm talking about major tantrums after school. She actually threw a fit in the car one day because she was hungry on

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-51085576294840476622010-03-04T22:36:00.000-08:002010-03-04T22:47:26.666-08:00

I didn't think I was going to have to deal with the issue of Sadie not wanting to take her medication until the teen years. I had actually already talked to her therapist about this a year ago. At 5 or 6, medication makes them different. Being different equates to special at this age. At 13 being different is not a good thing and I was prepared to deal with that down the road if need be.Today the

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197182624397684210.post-30760760814993608802010-03-02T13:02:00.000-08:002010-03-04T20:08:45.292-08:00

This blog is the tale, the daily ins and outs of my struggles and triumphs, of raising our daughter Sadie. Sadie was diagnosed with ADHD and Co morbid Anxiety Disorder at the age of 4.I hope this blog will be encouraging, educational, and humorous for both you and me, as we make this journey together. I hope that as people leave comments...which I hope you do...both positive and negative...You

sadiesmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07207777940654670835noreply@blogger.com2