I hope I posted this in the right area, but I was wondering if anyone else is going crazy, with their ADHD or ADD child home for the summer? My son is constantly bored, impulsive, hyper, and moody. He's unmedicated right now, which makes things a lot harder. :eek:

Wondering how other parents are coping with their child being home for the summer???

Yes, my daughter drives me nuts in the summer, but I keep her medicated. There just isn't enough stimulous with so much free time. If we spend the day out shopping or just window shopping she does better. I try to get all my kids out of the house at least 3 days a week for the whole day. It breaks up our week and they are better behaved on the other days.

Thanks for replying, Stacey. I've been trying to find activities to keep him busy, but it's hard because he loses interest, really easily. He's enrolled in bible camp, and the summer reading program, but trying to get him to read, is really tough. He gives me such a hard time, about having to read. I've been allowing them play outside a lot, and taking them places, to try and break up the monotony of being home, all day.

I also choose to keep my son medicated in the summers. We would try it for a week or two, at the most, but I don't see any point in making HIM SUFFER or us by forcing him to go without the medication which allows him to function.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Kim

We also keep our son (age 7) medicated all year long. One of our biggest concerns, during both school & summer, is difficulty relating to peers. Off meds, the kids in our neighborhood don't want to play with him because he can never follow rules, doesn't want to play the same games they do, and, of course, never listens/hears anything anyone else says. On meds, however, my son can follow the rules and relate better with peers. Problem is, the relationships in our neighborhood were formed pre-medicated. We still haven't fiqured out the best med combination, but for now, our summer solution is to keep him as busy as possible. There are multiple day camps in our area. Both last summer and this one, I enrolled him in an inexpensive, nearby, daycamp every other week, Scout Camp x 1wk, and he spends 2-3 weeks with my family in another state. This year he attended his 1st overnight camp x 1 wk. I definitly keeps him busy, and sometimes, tired! Everyone is different, though, so find what works best for you. We are still, and always, learning.

Kimalimah,
The reason he is off his meds, is because when I had him to the pediatrician for a check-up, we found out that he lhad lost 3 lbs, and dropped in percentile, resulting from the side effect of the stimulants (Concerta and also Ritalin). They were stunting his growth. The pediatrician and his psychiatrist felt that it was in his best interest, to pull him off, and allow him to gain some weight. Since being off the meds, he has gained almost 10 lbs. I am not trying to make him suffer.

He has bible school this week, is involved with the summer reading program, swims, we go on camping trips, and he enjoys playing outside. We try to keep him as busy as possible.

It's tough with him off, but when the medication is a health threat, his health is first priority.

I know you aren't trying to make him suffer and am sorry if you saw it that way. I was just speaking from the experience of actually watching my son suffer when he was off meds with not getting along with the other kids, always being in trouble at home from breaking rules that he "normally" didn't break anymore, etc.

I'm glad that he has gained some weight back and being outside on the go is definitely healthy for any child! If it gets too bad you could talk to his pediatrican again about a low dose of just Ritalin for part of the day. It wears off fairly quickly and, believe me, they eat up a storm after its worn off.

The other thing is that he may not have to be off for the entire summer. Once his weight has stabiized he may be able to start back up. We often found that we were also able to start our son at a lower dosage, too.

Again, I'm not criticizing. I was just re-living a couple of our experiences and it was really painful for all concerned. It may be that once a bit of routine settles in, too, that it won't be so difficult for you. I always find the transition to vacation shocking, but then I'm ADD, too, and those transitions can be a killer! *grins*

Kim

jlscott,
Does your son come home for lunch during the school year?

School is out!!!! School is out!!!! Yippy Ky Aye school is out!!!! I love summer break, nothing is more fun then getting to sleep in and getting to play outside.

I do however hate the "I'm bored days" so I'm generally prepared for anything and everything by the time my kids hit the last day of school. I'll share some suggestions with you.

Breakfast in bed---I try to make my kids breakfast in bed at least once a week (actually breakfast in the hideabed) which gives me just a little more computer time, they get to eat and watch cartoons and stay very quiet so I won't take away the privaledge of unearned tv time.

Picnics---Twice a week we go to the nature preserve or park for a lunch picnic, giving the kids ample opportunity to explore and run wild in a safe enviroment while I get the chance to read a good book. Last week we had 7 picnics (they don't complain about sandwiches and chips again, when we're on a picnic) lol

Summer sports---theres t-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, etc, etc. Both my kids are involved in swim and baseball since there are not enough girls for a softball team.

Bible school---I'm a volunteer so even the baby gets to go.

Swim lessons---usually cheaper thru out the summer months and a great survival skill.

Backyard campouts--the kids have a snap tent that is easy to put up and is small, they take turns once a week inviting a friend to come stay over and sleep under the stars, grill hot dogs and marshmellows. The only downfall is they have to have a parent with them :( I sleep out with my daughter and her friend and my husband sleeps out with my son and his friend.

Reading groups--I know you said he was involved with the reading program at the library. But, do they have special times for his age group for story telling? muppet hour? etc, etc? After story time my kids spend about an hour reading and an hour on the computers; giving me about 3 hours to pay bills, write posts and read without being disturbed. These are also the days we picnic.

Hobby shopping--I have a card table set up in the living room with 3 wheeled carts with drawers, inside are paints, pens, markers, crayons, paper, scissores, scrapbooking utensils. I shop my local hobby stores and walmart for sales on supplies and thru the summer they work on Christmas gifts. Right now they are learning how to paint ceramic figures for Grandma, next they will make mobiles for their brothers room, then we have tie blankets and pillows for the cousins, etc, etc. If bought out of season materials are very, very cheap. My son is also learning how to properly clean and use power tools since he has shown a great interest in woodworking something his father and I love doing.

Koda likes to tinker, so we have friends bring old toasters, vacuums, etc and he tears them apart to see if he can figure out what was wrong with them. Most times its just a destructive adventure for him but he's busy and out of my hair and not destroying my stuff. :p

Gardening--both kids have a little patch of garden every year. This year Koda chose flowers and strawberries, Lexi is growing corn, green beans and trying a rose bush.

We (my brothers and sister) take turns taking each others kids to the drive in for a night out. We buy pizza, pop popcorn at home, take our own drinks and snacks and do have to take two vehicles. WE park them with one slot between us and block the slot off with our chairs so nobody runs the kids over.

Cooking--Since most my recipes in the summer require little cooking I let my kids help in the kitchen. Usually, I'll tell them to make a salad and let them whip up whatever their hearts desire.

Ok thats enough for now my hands are sore. :rolleyes:

And when all else fails and I still hear "I'm bored" there are always cars and trucks to be washed, windows to be scrubbed and paint touch ups around the house, dogs to be bathed, mowing, bush trimming and household chores to be done. :D

Kim,
Sorry that I took your post, the wrong way. We're thinking, that he'll probably have to go back on meds, for the school year. He was driving his last teacher, crazy. Not really bad behaviors, but a lot of the ADHD behaviors were apparent, when ofh his meds. Every phone call from her, was asking when I'd get him back on the meds. I am hoping that I can get some more weight on him, in case we have to go back to the meds. I hear ya about the transitions..he has a really hard time with that. He was able to sleep in with no school, and this week he has bible school, and is not very enthusiastic about going. Thanks for replying!!! Lisa

Imnapl,
No, he eats lunch in the cafeteria. He doesn't come home.

This is my son's first summer w/out meds since he was 7 yrs. He will be 11 next month. He has been taking Concerta. I took him off a week ago but before taking him off I started giving him vitamins/supplements. He takes a B-complex 1x a day, 5-HTP 2x a day (50mg ea.) and L-Carnitine 3x a day (250mg ea). So far, so good. He still has his moments but not nearly as bad as he used to be. The mornings before he took his Concerta and the Evening after it wore off consisted of yelling, talking back, crying, tantrums, etc. If I didn't give him the Concerta on the weekend, this behavior lasted the entire time. I've also noticed that he is affected by additives/dyes in his food. I'm pretty happy with how things are going with the supplements. He is still hyper at times, but not in a way that is driving me crazy. He is still impulsive but I'm hoping a few weeks on the L-Carnitine will take care of that. Good Luck and hang in there.

Nucking Futs,
You have some great suggestions and ideas. Thanks!!

You learn the busier you keep the monSTARS the happier everyone is.

Nucking futs..
I hear ya. I've been letting them play outside, they're involved with bible school, swimming, playing at the park, movies at the park. I am trying to keep them as busy as possible, so I don't hear the dreaded "IAM BORED"..LOL

My son is also on Concerta 27mg. We too have thought about giving him a summer break because of weight/growth issues. He is 9 and weighs about 60 lbs and is about 49 1/2 inches tall. The doc says all is well, but since he started meds, he hasnt gained a pound (over a year) and has grown in height, but not by much. Esp compared to his peers. I keep wondering if he were to gain weight and put on some height if we were to take him off for the summer. He missed one dose for camp and his counselor told me she had a rough day with him. We really are having a tough time deciding whether to keep him medicated or not.

Palooka 23,
The psychiatrist and pediatrician decided to take my son off, for the same reason you mentioned. While on the meds, he barely gained any weight. He only went upward, a little bit. He's 9, and 55 lbs.

When we took him off the meds, he gained 10 lbs. He was eating non-stop and I think his body was making up for the decrease in appetite. He actually lost 3 lbs, being on the meds. It decreased his appetite, and was stunting his growth.

The hard part, is that the ADHD symptoms are really apparent, when off the meds. There is a good possibility of him becoming more impulsive, hyper, and inattentive. IMO, you and your husband have to weigh out the pros and cons, and stand united, with whatever you decide. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Well its been almost a week since we took him off meds for a test run to see if he puts on some weight. My wife and I spoke to his pediatrician and she assured us its ok. One thing is for sure, he is eating a heck of a lot more. His impulsivity is manageable, but tougher to control during very excitable times. Other than that he has been sleeping better, eating better. Hopefully, this trend will continue for the summer and he can go without meds.
This decision kind of opened this thought; I guess the ultimate goal is to one day hopefully be med free. The doctor told us that in some cases, maturity helps control the impulsive decision making process in kids like my son. I hope and pray that indeed this be the case with him.

Palooka23,
Sounds like his eating habits, are a lot like my son. I hope he continues to eat well for you. My son, is hyper, and very impulsive, and exciteable at certain times. His impulsiveness has increased as he is getting older, but we watch him constantly, and make sure that there is nothing that he is getting into. Being off the meds is tough, but IMO, I am really happy that he is med free, and is gaining some weight. Good luck. Keep us posted, as to how things are going.