Just Another ADHD Day

This week, in the lives of myself and my exceptional children, we didn’t do much until near the weekend.

Monday was torturous, as usual, and as the week went on everyone settled into their routine with ease (as easy as we do anyway). But it is Friday that I want to share about today.

Friday: I had to take my youngest, who is 7 and has ADHD, to the orthodontist to have a couple of teeth worked on. This would be his first time having the Nitrous gas used on him for any dental work. Before we found this group, he was TERRIFIED of the dentist, because of an issue he had with a previous orthodontist who traumatized him with a tooth extraction situation. I was nervous. He was hyper. My mother went with us for “momma support” and I was so grateful!

We waited for over 30 minutes for them to begin the procedure, and he was getting restless. My anxiety was climbing. Finally, the Dr. came in and they began. He did AMAZING! Tried to move his hands and feet a couple of times, but he never cried, squirmed, or did anything to disrupt their actual progress. They praised him for his awesome handling of the event, and we were finally free!

We went to Steak ‘N’ Shake for lunch, because the poor, little guy wanted a milkshake after the event, and we thought we would give it a try. Now, his smile was slightly loose on the right, and his words had a slight slur to them. Mom and I wondered if he would be able to actually succeed consuming his milkshake. So, I suggested we eat inside, and let his mouth come back to life a bit before ordering the delectable delight for the munchkin.

Success! Well, sort of. He had a couple of spills but having requested the M&M milkshake he was bound to have some clogs in the straw.

Now, all this being said… my son has ADHD. He is hyper. He is impulsive. I have had to learn to deal with sudden outbursts of noise, wiggly arms and legs, climbing, rolling, fidgeting, and muttering from his little self his entire life. Only recently have we been able to get a solid diagnosis for him, and medication when necessary (i.e. school). For this day he did not have the medication, and it was showing. He wasn’t rude. He wasn’t obnoxious. He was Micah. And, he was getting looks. We all three were.

Did it bother me? Yes.

I understand that my child is not going to sit still for 45 minutes in a single place. I understand that my child has a volume control issue now and then, that even he can’t explain just yet. I understand that other people aren’t going to get it, with their quiet, well behaved, smiling children sitting next to them, joining in the observation of my wiggly, restless, but cheerfully hyper son. But it doesn’t take away the struggle that I, as a mother, deal with internally when it does happen.

Mothers of ADHD children are exceptional! We are blessed, and we are strong women! For us to be the mothers of such amazing children is a privilege. We have been given a gift. A strong child, and a strength in ourselves that, at many times, even we do not comprehend! I say “mothers” because, as women, we are emotional creatures by nature. The struggle to suppress emotions is real!

I find myself fighting the urge to be rude to the people who are making faces in my direction when I am in public with my kids. I fight the urge to walk up to them and give them a lecture on exceptional children and their struggles. But, as a mom of exceptional children, I also understand that people aren’t going to “get it” by mere words and defense of our children. Emotions are already high, on both ends, when it comes to ADHD and Autistic children in public places. I wouldn’t make it any better, or educate anyone, by stepping up with my emotions high and confronting someone.

I tip my hat to any parent of exceptional children, single or married, who fights the public battles daily. I am doing the best that I can. My boys are healthy, happy, and loved. They are amazing, and my little heroes. I couldn’t ask for a better blessing from above any day, than the three musketeers who call me “Mom.” And, I will always support them, encourage them, and teach them that honesty, integrity, and love will take them farther than anything in life. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, says, or does, if they remain true to themselves first, and others, they will do things in life that we never imagined in their youth.

We will all get looks and words charged in our direction, all our lives. Both encouraging and discouraging. It affects us, yes. But, what matters most is what we see in, and say to, ourselves. My son is ADHD. I am his mother. We both have a lot of heart, and a lot of strength. All three of my sons are strong. My hope for my sons is that their strength will be used for good, always.