Do I view the glass as half empty or half full? It would be easy to ask the Lord why He has put so much on my plate but most times I consider it a compliment that He has entrusted me with so much. I believe it really helps to have this perspective both for my sanity and the peace to be an effective parent.

Jocelyn was removed from our drug plan because she is over 21. She decided that her ADD meds were too expensive to take on a daily basis and the “fun” began right away. It is so easy to forget how much the meds work. There were distractions everywhere and she was unable to focus on even the simplest task. Her meds suppress her appetite so she basically mowed her way through the fridge and cupboards. It is a good thing that she is thin. We saw a homeopathic medicine for lack of concentration that was on clearance so she tried that and I was surprised that it did help although it was not the same as her prescribed med. When she was first diagnosed I resisted meds until she hit puberty and then it was obvious that she needed them. She starts a new drug plan April 1 and then it will be back to daily meds again and it will be a day of celebration for sure.

Luckily her OCD meds are not as expensive so she stayed on those. I remember when we were looking for clothes for her I would ask her why an article of clothing was not acceptable when it fit so good and looked good on her. She would describe in detail how it bothered her and I quickly worked out a shopping compromise. I would not ask her why it did not work and she would simply supply a yes or no answer. It made shopping a lot less painful and I learned to accept her choices (within decency limits). It started to actually make sense once she was formally diagnosed with OCD.

My 10 year old daughter with LD is making great progress in school. She has a male teacher this year and I really think that it makes a difference in her school work. She seems to be taking responsibility for her work more than ever before and she has decided that she likes to read which is a big help. She is learning the benefits of cursive writing and it is making it easier for her to do her own work and rely less of others to scribe for her. Bottom line is a lot less stress on me and improved grades for her.

“Lord thank you for trusting me with these children and all the challenges that we face as a family. Continue to give me your perspective and wisdom to be the mother that you designed me to be. Help me to see them through your eyes and love them with the love that you channel through me.”

~ Twyla