We all went swimming at the Y. We returned with all the kids in tact. The toddlers passed out during the 10 ride home then scarfed down entire sandwiches, chips, and giant pickles. They were starved. No one was badly burned. I'm surprised they got any sun at all with the way I was chasing them down spraying them with sunscreen.
We are going back tomorrow and I think I will be able to manage alone from there on out. I know, 11 little ones and 1 mom. It sounds horribly challenging but every one has a partner that they have to keep up with. I can sit at the shallow end with the toddlers and see the entire area. Of course, counting to 11 the million and a half times during the visit to be sure they are all accounted for sucks.
I'm pretty strict about their behavior. If the life guard whistles at them, for any reason, they are out the rest of the day. They have to be aware of the other kids and be able to see me at all times. They really don't give me a hard time. I am concerned that the new Michael will present the biggest challenge. His ADHD can make him difficult to manage. I imagine the overload of stimuli will send him over the top.
I'd love to hear any suggestions on how you cope with so much energy.
About Me
- Tudu
- Deep South, United States
- I am the mother of 10 children, 6 are part of a large sibling group we adopted through foster care in 2006, 2 are our grown foster daughters, 2 are from independent infant adoptions in 2001 and 2008. Every one of them have their own issues to work through from Schizo-Affective Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Complex PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, ADHD, and Cerebral Palsy. Most of our children have been victims of sexual abuse by a close family member, most acted out sexually or exhibited predatory behaviors. We are currently trying to figure out where the trauma ends and mental illness begins in each of their lives.
10 comments:
My daughter came to us on a good deal of meds at age 8. We have found that no matter what we do, she needs Strattera (a non stimulant for ADHD) and something to sleep. Her brain does NOT shut down. I give her melatonin.
I also try to watch what she eats. Too much junk or preservatives and she is wired all day.
Somehow though, she has changed my google account to her name.
Dena
I find that a lot of people think 'burning off the energy' is the only way to deal with adhd... and that is true for some kids. But for others that just revs them up even more. What helps is teaching them to regulate their energy is more important. They tend to need lots of help winding down and learning what calm and quiet looks like. It sounds like you have a great system in place for managing the all! You are a great Mom!
Meds...Focalin for us.
But I think it is funny I would even consider giving you advice. You can handle anything.
So happy about your new kiddos. Hope they settle right in quickly.
haha I'm all burned out from counting to six over and over again. I count by twos, sometimes by threes, and always over and over again when in the van. I took them alone to the ocean yesterday, and I think it was actually easier than being at home (it helps that the Atlantic here in Maine is 12 degrees this time of year!).
Suggestions? Make sure you don't miss a minute of sleep? :)
I agree that "burning off the energy" seems to wind him up more. He will be back tomorrow and we will begin trying to teach him to regulate himself. Any advice is helpful and I do appreciate it. I'm completely lost with this one.
If you could have seen me perk right up when I saw ADHD and advice in the same paragraph! lol.
I really love when I have ADHD kiddos to work with. (Yes, all those hyper little ones who drive everybody else nuts.) I think it's because I have it myself and so I can just "get it," you know? Anywayyyy...
In addition to the teaching him to be aware of his own behaviors to keep it in check (which may be slow going, as I've found boys in particular have a really hard time being aware until teenage years), is he on meds for it? I'm not going to say anything else besides that I'm a strong supporter of it, otherwise I'll go on FOREVERRRR.
If he's really getting rowdy try giving him some diet mt. dew or any soda with a lot of caffeine in it or coffee. I suggest that one because it's got more caffeine in it than the original & NO sugar. (Caffeine works on the brain in a similar way to meds and will actually calm an ADHD kid down.)
Also, I've found that ADHD people need something to fidget with in their hands or else they will usually find a far more irritating thing to play with. =) Doing gimp was always reeeeally good for campers I used to work with! Stress balls can work too, but boys tend to turn them into projectiles or just destroy them entirely.
I seriously can go on for hours on this stuff, so I'll shut up now. You know how to get ahold of me on Facebook if you want any of my opinions/knowledge on the subject. I also worked many summers at camp as a lifeguard & waterfront director, so may have some thoughts to make the pool trips easier too. =)
Good luck!
Abby in MA
I guess it's time to change the info on your sidebar. You seem to be the mother of 12. So how do you transport them all? And when do we get a new family portrait? I can't begin to tell you how much I admire you guys.
jwg, I'm hesitant to change it until we get approved. I am so worried that something will go wrong. I'm sure I'm over reacting but the fear is still there. I have a 15 passenger van and we all fit with room to spare. LOL
Abby, you have my full attention. Bring it all on. Yes, he is on a stimulant.
Brain dead right now, but I'll think and see what other tricks I can come up with that won't make your life tougher.
I did have one thing about the pool though... try to keep the kids from swimming near the lifeguard tower. It's actually where most drownings occur. Best spots are usually in the middle or opposite edge from wherever the lifeguard is sitting/standing. Coming from a guard, I'm sure they're very happy that you keep an eye on your kids!! I never minded the loud & crazy kids as long as they had parents who at least pretended to keep an eye on them. (Instead of the parents who freaked out on me for insisting they couldn't take a boat out to the middle of the lake and leave their toddler on the beach even if "he has arm floaties on and it's the lifeguard's job to watch him." Seriously.)
Occupational therapists have a program to teach kids about their engine level. Might be helpful.
Angela :-)
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