I'm a great Mom whose child takes ADHD medication.

My son has ADHD.  He has recently begun taking a stimulant medication that has been quite effective.

I fought this for years. I've read all these editorials and opinion pieces about parenting and medication for ADHD creating little robots.

Feel free to comment with your link. I've probably read it.

 I was determined that MY SON did not need this. I could parent my way out of this. I could modify his diet, implement the correct parenting techniques and do just about anything else but there was no way I was putting my child on medication.  I demanded evaluation after evaluation hoping that his was one of those oft talked-of over-diagnosed diagnosis.

But it kept getting harder and harder. Not so much me, but for my son. As book chapters got longer he simply couldn't get through one. Schoolyard games became more complicated and he became the liability on the team because he couldn't tune in long enough.  Even when allowed to stand and work he couldn't seem to get a handle on controlling his own body. His impulsiveness was costing him friends and opportunities.

Then I read this.

When researchers asked children what they thought about taking ADHD medication their response was overwhelmingly positive.  The children feel able to make better choices - they feel more like themselves. 

Oh. 

It wasn't about me.

In all my reading and research it had never been suggested that I ask my son how HE felt about medication. So I did. He shrugged his shoulders and said "Maybe. Can we ask the doctor?"

We started with the tiniest possible dose of a stimulant medication, just to check for reactions and we saw immediate improvement at school.  After increasing to the lowest recommended dose for his weight the improvements were shocking. He reads books, loooong chapters books, for hours. He plays games with ease and has made a whole new circle of friends. His schoolwork has improved and his classroom behavior has also improved.   He still adores practical jokes and literally shouts with laughter when something is funny. He's definitely not a zombie, and he's definitely the same kiddo. When I asked him what he thought about taking the medicine he said to me:

"It's great, Mom. I don't have to try so hard to be good now. It's easier to make the right choices."

   Photo by My Cute Ladybug

My heart broke. You see, he'd been trying so hard. All those years. My stubborn, selfish self had refused to try what multiple professionals had recommended and it had cause my boy heartache and struggle when the help was there.

This is the part of parenting I keep having to relearn: it's not about me.

We still stick to some diet modifications, and I know that a steady schedule that includes enough sleep makes a BIG difference for my boy, medication or no.  But those little pills? They are like magic for my family. We are all calmer and happier when our energetic, smart and hilarious boy feels better about himself and his actions.

So judge away. Send me all your links about French parents, medication zombies and Lord knows what else. I'll be trusting my son on this one.