This is my question for the day that I already made the decision on, but wonder if it was the right one.The question on whether to medicate a child or not for behavior is one that has been asked a million times over by parents lately. We grapple with this decision for many reasons, will they have side effects, will they be too tired, will they work overall and help the child? I grappled with these same questions over and over again in many situations. The decision in Henry's case was fairly an easy one and what a difference it did make. He could finally get through a day with fewer difficulties. Now his med count stands at three, one for ADHD and his attention, one for the Tourettes tics, and now one to help with his overall mood which has been suggested as depression. This might sound like a lot, but he receives regular check ups and is monitored closely to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. I truly believe they are helping him in a lot of ways.
My issue at hand is with Austin. As of kindergarten last year, he was the model student, well behaved, listened and followed directions, etc. His teacher this year in 1st grade did not have the same opinion after the first couple months went by with constant behavior struggles at school and home. What happened, I ask myself every day. Did I screw something else up? Is it genetic that I have to mess up all my kids in so many ways? Was something different going on at home the school asked me? Maybe it is just middle child syndrome or he just needs more attention, I am baffled by the change. Well, now what to do about it. After many talks with his teacher and doctor it was decided that yes ADHD does run in families and now looking back Shawn probably had it when he was younger and seeings that Henry already had the diagnosis, it was a high probability that another child was stricken with ADHD.
Can anything else be wrong with my poor babies? Talk about feeling like a screw up. Now we need to play by a whole other set of rules for discipline, homework battles, routine. Even though we already dealt with it, things just needed to be treated on a child to child basis. No set of rules works for all. Medication was decided on for a trial run right before Christmas, with his teacher and doctor supporting me, here we embarked on another roller coaster ride. Well, a difference was noted and still is. His behavior and attention in general did improve, but at a cost. Now we struggle with the fact that Austin cannot swallow pills and his med only comes in that form. I pour it in his drink at breakfast and hope he finishes it. Shawn is a little more abrupt and makes him swallow it whole while he cries till it goes down. Am I a softie or is he playing me everyday? He has opened up recently to a family member who did Not even like the idea of him being on meds and told her that the medicine makes him feel sick. He has mentioned that to me also, guess that is why he has lost over 10 pounds since being on it. My stocky boy thinned out a lot, even though he looks great losing that much is not good. Now after two days of not taking the medicine, he was unbearable and miserable today. His attitude was just terrible and he was so negative about himself, which is another story within itself. Off to the doctor on Thursday to make some decisions, either a med change, no meds at all, or something else. Not sure what is going to be best. I hate to see my kids suffer in any way, but which kind of suffereing is better then the other. It is another battle that I will fight to see my almost seven year old flourish in life. He has overcome so many obstacles already and will have many more to face as he ages with his bleeding issues, but I will be there through it all with him, even if it takes a couple of tears along the way and an extra bottle of excedrin migraine to see me through.
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