Round 2....

I've written much about our youngest son and first adopted child, Jackson....well, this past May, we adopted 2 additional children (ages: 6 and 8). They are great kids and we're truly blessed. Our oldest son has ADHD, combined type. So, I've learned a lot about parenting styles, effective rewards systems, and power of faith as he has tested us over and over and over again. In the coming posts, I'll share more of our experiences and how we finally were able to help him excel. Today, he's doing so great!

When we first met our daughter (who is the bio sibling of our oldest child), she was the responsible child - even at age 4! We could tell immediately the difference between boys and girls. And, thankfully, she was a child that we could count on to help; to follow through and to teach. She's in first grade and has done pretty well overall.

In November of this year, we noticed that she was having a harder time finishing her homework. We actually began thinking she may be a little "airheaded" and not as level-headed as we once thought. Her teacher also would describe this "out-of-control" child in school, unable to focus, always interupting, and tattling on others. Well, we were STUNNED! This was not our daughter - sure, she was a little spacey at times, but nothing to serious.

Well one day, she came home and had cut her shoestrings at school....I know, it sounds like not a big deal...but this is a replay of something we deal with every year with her older brother. I picked up the phone and called a local pediatrician who specializes in treating children with ADHD and ADD. And, off we went.

We left his office with medication and doubt....I really didn't think this was what was going on, but thought I would give it a try and prove everyone wrong. Well, I was the one that was wrong. Within 2 days, we could see an immediate difference in our little girl. The "responsible" child was back! And, thank heavens! We learned that she has ADHD - Inattentive Type (formerly known as ADD) which usually doesn't show the behavioral issues of the child with ADHD combined type.