Oh hell, y'all don't want or need my diatribe on the public schools.
We don't mind...I bet we ALL have quite a few of our own...heck, we could probably make this into the "bash the public school system" thread. LOL
Before anyone blindly agrees to meds, try diet and real exercise. When meds are necessary, love your children; they're already set apart from the norm.
THAT is a very true statement. I think it's like a *crazy* circle (no pun intended)...they are different already, they become depressed, they take medications, they are more different because of the medications so they become more depressed and then they start all over in that cycle.
My daughter this past bought of depression was in the hospital day/group program for 3 weeks..while she was gone some of her *friends* started a rumor that she was pregnant and out having an abortion. 1) She's only 13 (and no I'm not naive, I know that happens) 2) Even if that WAS the case, she'd not have an abortion, she'd be made to have it and give it up for adoption 3) Say on some off chance where I went totally liberally mental and let her have an abortion, are these kids spreading these rumors TOTALLY stupid...she could have had an abortion on Friday and been back at school on Monday, not out for 3 weeks!!!! So, she tried to go back to school 2 weeks ago and I was in talking to her principal trying to get things worked out, disspell some of the rumors, talk about her future educational goals and well, the rumors and whispers and people looking and pointing became to much and she booked out of school and the cops went and got her (I don't chase her down when she gets enraged). So for those of you who think *tough love*, believe me, there's a LARGE amount of that mixed in with meds in my house....but to me, *tough love* does not mean beating your kid into compliance. It means being prepared to do whatever necessary to control your child outside of violence (including calling the police, etc.).
Obviously regular school was not going to be an option for her any longer...she's now in a lockdown academy that does have some therapy. She needs the extra discipline and structure. And she's happy she is going there. She said at least there she fits in. Sad, huh??? As if these kids didn't have enough the other so-called normal kids have to ostracize them to the point where they feel like they can't belong ever.
Sad thing is, she (my older daughter) is bright, athletic, sweet, funny, creative, artistic, expressive and extremely wonderful. I often have told the doc's that I believe her problems stem from the fact that she has a high EQ (emotional quotiant)...she picks up on people's emotions..."reads" them...and she's too young to know how to deal with all the data she's getting.
My younger daughter is absolutely wonderful as well..and thank GOD has no problems, other than needing to fight for attention because so much of it goes to my older one. I spend a lot of time trying to give her some one on one. (oh, and my younger one is a slob...normal for a teen, but sometimes I say that's why my older daughter's OCD is a blessing from heaven...she helps me keep my house spotless and in oder).
Children are wonderful and need to be loved, and I love mine every second...and tell them that too.