Attention Deficit and Communication/language disorder

Starting now, I’m going to dedicate much of my blogging time to writing about children with learning disabilities.  Specifically, I will write about communication disorders and Attention Deficit Disorder.  Why?  Because two of my children struggle with these issues, and I want to share my thoughts, feelings, lessons, and future knowledge about this topic with others who are looking for answers.  I wish someone would have been here to share their heart with me, because it can be a very lonely and discouraging journey for a parent, on behalf of their child(ren).

For now, let me begin by saying that children, all children are amazing!!!  They are often the greatest teachers upon earth, yet they are seldom acknowleged for their greatness.  I believe in them.  My goal is to make them believe in themselves.

With that said, let me share some quick facts with you about such disabilities.

~These children are often very intelligent.  It is NOT a sign of stupidity, laziness, or a lack of effort… 

For instance, imagine that you are in one room of your house, with the door shut.  Imagine that your child is in another room, and you are trying to teach him/her their math facts.  Would it work?  Of course not!  Well, think of ADD and Communication/language disorders as the door between your child and the teacher, parent, or concept.  It is more difficult to learn with an obstacle in your way…  What if you could open the door?  Well, as parents, teachers, and humans we need to find a way to do just that. 

I’m determined to try to open that door for my daughters, as well as for other children like them.  I’m planning on getting a masters in special education, but I’m convinced that it’s not the degree that will solve this problem, it’s a lot of love and a lot of heart and soul…

Four sick kids, a sick husband, and deadlines to meet. I’m exhausted!

This has been the week from you know where!!!

All four of my daughters, my husband, and myself have been sick with a stomach virus.  Yep!  We’ve had the nastiest of all common illnesses, and we only have one bathroom !  You can imagine…

As if that’s not enough, I have journalistic deadlines that are set in stone.  You’d think that the deadlines are more authoritative than the 10 commandments.  (Well, maybe that’s not a good comparison, since many don’t view the commandments as law, but you get the point).  No-matter what, the deadline is set…

So, I’ve been up late tending to my needy patients, working on my stories, doing homework, and trying to keep myself focused through my own nauseousness.  It’s been quite a ride.  Needless-to-say, I’ve reached a point of exhaustion.  If you’re a parent who has been in a similar situation, then you know exactly what I mean.  It’s that point where you can’t hardly keep your eyes open, yet you can’t rest or sleep. 

 And yes, in case you’re wondering, my husband does help as much as possible.  He’s been a wonderful help!!!!

Snow day – The kids are closing in on me!!!

I don’t know about you, but I dread snow days!  The kids are always so excited when their school announces a closing…  I always wonder if they’ve lost their minds:)  What is so great about six people being cramped into one house on a nasty, icy, snowy winter day?   Well, that’s what it’s been ALL WEEK!!!

Here’s a look at this week around my house…

~ One sick toddler, who doesn’t yet understand the warning signs of vomitting…  Yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ Another sick child, who has asked me, repeatedly, why God isn’t hearing her when she tells him that she doesn’t want to get sick again.

~ A tween daughter who seems to think that the world is coming to an end whenever she’s told that she needs to do something.

~ An infant with a runny nose, and poopy diapers that just add to the stomach virus problems for the two vomitting children.

~ A husband who planned his vacation for this week.  He thought he was going to relax for a few days!  Ha!  He should have known better…

~ My husband and I were going to go out for Valentine’s Day, but that didn’t happen.  We’ve not been able to go out alone since August! 

***** I’m to the point that, when they’re all well, I will carry them on my back to work and school just to get a day of peace*****  (Somewhat kidding).  I mean, if driving conditions are the primary reason for closing school, then forget driving!  We’ll create our own story about walking ten miles to school in 2-feet of snow.  Really, it’s only about 6 inches of snow, and less than a mile to the school.

Anyway, maybe next week things will be back to normal…

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith – Come on people!  She was human…

I find it disturbing to hear so many people either obsessing over Anna’s death, or just not caring at all.  Whether you loved her or hated her, she was a troubled woman with a newborn baby.  If you don’t feel badly for Anna, then at least have a heart for that baby girl.

Speaking of the baby, how many men are going to try to claim her?  I’m curious to see who wins this mega-dollar baby…  Sounds harsh, but it’s obvious that the child only represents money to some of the men.  PATHETIC!

Searching for the baby that they stole

There are many things that I don’t understand in this world.  I don’t understand how anyone in the United States could go hungry.  I don’t understand why orphanages are so full, when so many good people would love to raise those children.  I don’t understand why violent criminals are sent back out into society, when it’s a fact that they are likely to commit another violent act.  I don’t understand why many of our veterans are living in poverty.  Most of all, I don’t understand why child molesters just get a slap on the hand for their crime…

I recently heard about a man who gives legal representation to sex offenders.  This man doesn’t think that anyone should be able to say where a sex offender can or cannot live.  He thinks that it would be okay for a sex offender to live beside a school.  His list of beliefs go on forever…  Personally, I question the man’s motives.  Why would anyone, especially a parent, say that they wouldn’t care if their neighbor was a child molester.  (He didn’t say it in those words, but how else can you interpret it)?

I have a few opinions on this matter…

First, I do agree that the actual crime should be clearly stated on a sex offender registry.  Why?  Because, I would not feel as threatened by someone who was eighteen and was charged with having consensual sex with a 16-year-old.  That’s totally different than a sexual predator…

Secondly, in my opinion, anyone who abuses a child in this way should never be living anywhere, except prison.  I don’t want them in my neighborhood, though some are.  I’m not mean to them, but I don’t trust them, and never will.  

I know, there are probably some of you who think that I’m being a little harsh, but let me explain.  I’ve known several people who were molested, and they don’t get over it.  They are violated, to some degree, for the rest of their lives.  Though they may go on to live productive lives, they are forever changed by this act of violence. 

A mother once said, “They brought back a different child.  She looks the same, but she is not the same.  It’s been ten years, and I’m still searching for the baby that they stole.” 

Her daughter was in the other room when the mother spoke those words. 

Her daughter had been sexually abused by her uncle.  He, the uncle, spent 12 months in jail for the crime that forever changed this little girl’s life.  Now, as his life goes on, she is still being treated for Post Traumatic Stress.  She’s struggling to keep up in school, when she wasn’t before the abuse took place.  She has had to take anti-depressants to cope.  She’s seen therapist more times than she can count.  She’s still scared, confused, and isolated by her pain. 

This child told.  How much worse is it for the many who are too afraid or ashamed to tell anyone.  What will happen to those children? 

I understand that people can change, and I do pray for people like this.  I don’t hate them, but I do not believe that our children should be the bate to see if these people are “better.”  In my opinion, not everyone deserves a second chance to commit the same crime…  It’s a sad thing when people spend more time in jail for stealing someone’s money than they do for stealing a child’s innocence… 

 It’s just an opinion.