I have been trusted by God with four children.  Our two oldest have ADD and ADHD respectively.  When my now 19 year old was 5 I made an appointment on my mother-in-law’s urging.  She worked in a public school and was sure that the oldest had “something.”  I took both sons to the appointment.  The doctor looked at my younger son, who was pretty literally bouncing off the walls, and said “Are you sure you aren’t here for him?” 

Lovely. He was only 4 at the time.

Of course medication was talked about.  I was young .  I was naive.  A classic ‘if I knew then what I know now’ scenarios I would not have chosen to take the medication route. 

The journey since that day in that doctor’s office has been a roller coaster to say the least.  Each son had their own way of dealing with their diagnosis as they got older. 

Our oldest, with ADD, ended up dropping out of 9^th grade.  I homeschooled him until he chose to go to Job Corp.  BEST choice ever.  He finished his GED and got certified in Wildland Fire Fighting.  He works outside and is off all medications.  He much prefers to be alone and have quiet. 

Our second son is ADHHHHHD.  We joke because he is high energy.  He has embraced it.  He sees it as a gift.  God made him this way and he wouldn’t, nor would we, have it any other way.  He didn’t have the same struggles as our oldest did in school, but we did homeschool him for high school.   He thrived at home.  He is comfortable with his identity as a Creation in Christ. 

Psalm 139:19 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother’s womb

You may be struggling with a ‘gifted’ child.  You aren’t alone.  It can be discouraging.  It can at the same time be glorious! God doesn’t make mistakes.  How wonderful to be trusted by the King of Kings to take care of one His ‘gifted’ children. I am humbled. I am loved by Him and I strive everyday to love my gifts the same way He loves me.

Tell me stories about how your boys have overcome a difficult diagnosis?

Crazy Homeschool Mama