Otherwise known as, the day we figure out whether kiddo has ADHD or just secretly enjoys screwing with us. That day was actually supposed to be Wednesday, but the hospital called last week and said, "Hey, the doctor wants to know why you're coming in again, and oh also, can you reschedule the appointment?" After a day of phone tag and snottily demanding an explanation because of the inconvenience, I got, "Oh, the doctor has to go to a meeting then." Oh, and that's our problem why?
It's not even the inconvenience, although yes, switching to a Valentine's Day appointment is an inconvenience, and not exactly the romantic outing I had in mind. It's feeling like a chump because I made this appointment in November and that still didn't guarantee we'd actually get it, clearly. It's feeling like my kid's potential problems are not even in the least interesting to the doctor. It's feeling like this is the level of total indifference we're going to be dealing with from everyone, till the end of time, if kiddo really does have it. Or else they'll say, hey, don't give your bratty kid so much soda, you crap parents, and then I will grab the nearest can of Coke, shake it vigorously and spray it all over that person, and then have to foot their cleaning bill.
I suppose the bright side is, it's one day less to wait. And restaurants are awful on Valentine's Day anyway. Not to mention every other holiday and pseudo-holiday. The last time we went out to eat on Mother's Day, at a regular restaurant of ours even, the service and experience were so godawful I swore we would never do it again.
I haven't been doing much ADHD-related research lately because I didn't want to get obsessive about it (yet). Still, of note recently: This report from NPR (courtesy of cousin H.), which notes that an elimination diet alone can't cure ADHD but can help reduce symptoms -- and frankly, eating more fruits, veggies, whole wheat and low-fat dairy is good advice for anyone. Getting enough protein in him has actually been a bit of a worry, because he doesn't like deli meat, rarely eats roasted chicken and can't have peanut butter at his nut-free school. (Though he does eat PBnJs on weekends, which feels a little subversive -- like his teachers are going to ring the doorbell and complain.) I've been experimenting with Greek yogurt, which both kids seem to like, and it's less runny than the regular kind, so kiddette is less likely to spill it all over her outfit. Also chia seeds, which are supposed to be a good source of protein and fiber and a gazillion other things, and no, we are not eating our way through a Chia Pet -- I got some flavored varieties at a health food store. The kids seem indifferent.
Seriously, though, every time I read any kind of article about improving heart health or brain health or weight loss or, I don't know, spleen health, all the articles say the same thing: Cut out the processed crap, eat more fresh produce, go easy on red meat, opt for low-fat dairy. Etc. etc. etc. How many times do people need to hear it?
I'm not that militant -- I did just let kiddo have a "burger sandwich" and fries for lunch, as a reward for surviving his dentist appointment. But that's a treat, not his regular diet.
Meantime, he's not any better at that whole impulse-control thing than he was before. We went here over the weekend -- it's a nice little museum -- to check out the Lego art exhibit, which yes, was pretty cool. Kiddo is fascinated by Legos; they're the first thing he reaches for when he walks into his classroom. He was thrilled by the exhibit. And by the other exhibits. And by all the rooms to run around in. And by all the people. Which would be why he ran from the basement play area all the way up to the second floor to see the train exhibit again. DH had to run after him the whole way, and DH is 6'2'', which means he can't duck and weave his way through crowds too well. So he wasn't especially happy with kiddo, and we started to leave. And then kiddo ran off again. I chased him down, thoroughly yelled at him and got him out of there.
I'm never completely thrilled with yelling at him in public, since that's probably one of the 1,000 things parents are Not Supposed To Do anymore on account of it wrecks the poor child's self-esteem. But you know, sometimes you're a little entitled.
And now, a point in his favor: We went to Trader Joe's the next day and he was a perfect little angel. Didn't run away, didn't play his usual game of hide-behind-the-food-displays, didn't whine about riding in the cart. Why? Because my friend M. came along, and kiddo chattered away to her the whole time about all the foods there he liked. Clearly, all I need to do to get him to behave is bring company. Do people ever do food shopping playdates?
So we'll see what happens tomorrow. It'll be nice to have some sort of answer. I think.
It's not even the inconvenience, although yes, switching to a Valentine's Day appointment is an inconvenience, and not exactly the romantic outing I had in mind. It's feeling like a chump because I made this appointment in November and that still didn't guarantee we'd actually get it, clearly. It's feeling like my kid's potential problems are not even in the least interesting to the doctor. It's feeling like this is the level of total indifference we're going to be dealing with from everyone, till the end of time, if kiddo really does have it. Or else they'll say, hey, don't give your bratty kid so much soda, you crap parents, and then I will grab the nearest can of Coke, shake it vigorously and spray it all over that person, and then have to foot their cleaning bill.
I suppose the bright side is, it's one day less to wait. And restaurants are awful on Valentine's Day anyway. Not to mention every other holiday and pseudo-holiday. The last time we went out to eat on Mother's Day, at a regular restaurant of ours even, the service and experience were so godawful I swore we would never do it again.
I haven't been doing much ADHD-related research lately because I didn't want to get obsessive about it (yet). Still, of note recently: This report from NPR (courtesy of cousin H.), which notes that an elimination diet alone can't cure ADHD but can help reduce symptoms -- and frankly, eating more fruits, veggies, whole wheat and low-fat dairy is good advice for anyone. Getting enough protein in him has actually been a bit of a worry, because he doesn't like deli meat, rarely eats roasted chicken and can't have peanut butter at his nut-free school. (Though he does eat PBnJs on weekends, which feels a little subversive -- like his teachers are going to ring the doorbell and complain.) I've been experimenting with Greek yogurt, which both kids seem to like, and it's less runny than the regular kind, so kiddette is less likely to spill it all over her outfit. Also chia seeds, which are supposed to be a good source of protein and fiber and a gazillion other things, and no, we are not eating our way through a Chia Pet -- I got some flavored varieties at a health food store. The kids seem indifferent.
Seriously, though, every time I read any kind of article about improving heart health or brain health or weight loss or, I don't know, spleen health, all the articles say the same thing: Cut out the processed crap, eat more fresh produce, go easy on red meat, opt for low-fat dairy. Etc. etc. etc. How many times do people need to hear it?
I'm not that militant -- I did just let kiddo have a "burger sandwich" and fries for lunch, as a reward for surviving his dentist appointment. But that's a treat, not his regular diet.
Meantime, he's not any better at that whole impulse-control thing than he was before. We went here over the weekend -- it's a nice little museum -- to check out the Lego art exhibit, which yes, was pretty cool. Kiddo is fascinated by Legos; they're the first thing he reaches for when he walks into his classroom. He was thrilled by the exhibit. And by the other exhibits. And by all the rooms to run around in. And by all the people. Which would be why he ran from the basement play area all the way up to the second floor to see the train exhibit again. DH had to run after him the whole way, and DH is 6'2'', which means he can't duck and weave his way through crowds too well. So he wasn't especially happy with kiddo, and we started to leave. And then kiddo ran off again. I chased him down, thoroughly yelled at him and got him out of there.
I'm never completely thrilled with yelling at him in public, since that's probably one of the 1,000 things parents are Not Supposed To Do anymore on account of it wrecks the poor child's self-esteem. But you know, sometimes you're a little entitled.
And now, a point in his favor: We went to Trader Joe's the next day and he was a perfect little angel. Didn't run away, didn't play his usual game of hide-behind-the-food-displays, didn't whine about riding in the cart. Why? Because my friend M. came along, and kiddo chattered away to her the whole time about all the foods there he liked. Clearly, all I need to do to get him to behave is bring company. Do people ever do food shopping playdates?
So we'll see what happens tomorrow. It'll be nice to have some sort of answer. I think.
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