Step away from the computer

[adhdxyz]

When my 14 year old daughter comes home from school, she immediately runs to the computer to chat with her friends online. The same friends that she just saw 15 minutes earlier. At the same time, she is on the phone and sometimes, her cell phone rings too.

Up until now, I did not understand this, since I am definitely not one of the people who talk on the phone alot or email. If someone calls, it is usually to confirm what time I will be there (or how much I owe and when I mailed the check.)

Now I can relate to her. I have been doing the same thing since discovering this forum. As soon as I get up in the morning, I check new posts. After taking the kids to school and hopping in the shower, I check new posts. As soon as I get home from work, I check new posts. Before I go to bed, I again check new posts. When I walk past the computer, you guessed it, I check new posts. (I think if I had dial up internet still instead of dsl, I wouldn't have the patience to sit and wait for a connection, but with dsl, it's always calling my name.)

Even though I am in the Systems Department at work and have access to the internet all day, I do not check it at work. So atleast I do not have to go to "add forum anonymous" meetings yet.

Something is drawing me to it. Just like my daughter being drawn to chatting with her friends. They have something in common that she craves. She can relate to them just like I can to everyone on the ADD forum. I finally found that person that listens, doesn't critique, can relate to me, and is able to offer suggestions that I have not tried. I am also a knowledge expert and can offer suggestions to others. It's a win-win situation.

It wouldn't be so bad if I only checked one forum, like Adderall for my adhd. But I am interested in ALL of them. All the medications because my son takes Metadate, Respirdal, Zoloft, and Clonidine for adhd. He also takes DAAVP and Imprimine for bedwetting. I am interested in the teen section for my daughter. The relationship section for my husband and my self. My husband is ADD so I can relate to the nonadd spousal section. And the high tech job section since I work in systems. And the family members that are in denial. And self medication. And finances. And the parent section. and and and........

The kids are standing at the door with their bookbags in hand.

I hear a voice saying "Step away from the computer".....

[ttjmom]

LOL do I know that Voice very well. While going thru all the odd papers here around the house I found a letter that my oldest daughter wrote to my son when he was in basic. It said,,,,,,, Mom spends all day on the computer, and I mean all day. From the time she wakes till Dad gets home she is on.

Yesterday and today again I turned on the puter right after hubby and daughter left for the day.

[adhdxyz]

OK...here's me again, checking the new posts after taking kids to school and hopping in the shower. Gotta go. I hear that voice again..."Step away from the computer"....

I wonder if my husband put a voice recorder somewhere near the computer that is activated by my typing.....

No...that isn't possible. He doesn't know how to use a computer. One night, back when the computer was in our bedroom, I walked into the room and he was sleeping. I noticed that the computer monitor had a big towel over it. When I asked him later why it was like that, he said he didn't know how to turn off the bright screen......ha ha. Guess I don't have to worry about him meeting anyone on the internet. ha ha

[crazymama05]

Oh how I can relate. My daughter says the same thing. "My mom is worse then me, she is on all day!" Even my dogs are ticked off at me. They dont get the "me time" they are used to getting!!! I can see the smiles leave their faces when I pick up my laptop or sit in the desk chair...poor punkins!!!!

I just try to tell them, I am learning, I am helping myself....I am trying to make myself a better mommy for you all!!!! They just smirk and say "whatever mom!" (the cats combat this by trying to sit on the keyboards!)

Just curious, but do any of you find yourself "talking" outloud to your computers? I have looked up to see my daughter or husband looking at me as though I have lost my mind......then I realize "wow, was that outloud?"

[adhdxyz]

Ever since I found this ADD forum, my 14 year old daughter says I have been so much nicer and have been letting her do more things and go more places.

Do you think that it's possibly due to my starting Adderall XR 3 weeks ago? Maybe....

But the "real" reason is because I WANT TO USE THE COMPUTER TO CHECK THE NEW POSTS and she is always on it!!!!

So instead of using "reverse psychology", I have been using "reverse adhd forum psychology".

Why? I want her to go somewhere but I make her think that I don't and that I eventually give in. As soon as she's gone, I'm here. (I have driven her and her friends more places in the last month than ever before.)

Ha. She thinks I'm caving in my old age but I think I am finally getting my way. It took 14 years and finding this ADD forum but I've succeeded. I am the one sitting here typing.

[Gourmet]

Hi adhdxyz.

I have also been checking the posts faithfully and have a new attraction to the computor. What a sense of belonging! I feel accepted and included and feel a genuine bond with those who frequent this forum.

The different personalities are recognizable beyond doubt! Don't you think??!! I'm not sure this is healthy, but I've begun thinking about you all by name. And what a perfect ADHD way to communicate...hang on , gotta get a coke. Ok, it was a potty break. I lied.

Like I was saying. I recognize the personalities and they even have faces!

I mean, we are all incognito and have the potential to represent ourselves any way we choose BUT I sense an honesty and understanding that can't be put on. I don't think we could be imposters if we tried. This is about as real and normal as it gets.

If someone is moody, you know it. If they are confused or feeling plain silly, you know it!
I can actually feel the subtle nuances within those complicated little minds- you can pick them up from the dynamics of words, sentence fragments, and the little smileys we all love. The personalities are flavored by individual interests, likes, dislikes, and life stories. You can tell when someone forgot their medicine...or when they've had too much!

You all are beginning to creep into my conversations.On the way to school this morning, I was telling my son Nick about the adhdxyz theory of the full moon and Stuck's spring fever. Tonight I was telling my husband about "mandatory phil". You know... (dark hair, sweater vest...)

Hey, xyz, don't fall asleep at the computer

[witsend]

You guys are all kooky & so right on!!! I too think about everyone by their login names ( I would never be able to remember real names). I also check the computer morning noon & night. & any time in between if I can!! My husband says that I'm addicted--I should tell him that " no that someone elses name!!! I'm 'witsend'!" but I'm sure he wouldn't get it!

[ttjmom]

What a wonderful post. Made me feel all warm and cozy inside. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Gourmet]

Quote from my nine year old to my thirteen year old. " Mom didn't hear you. She's busy online studying her ADD." Wake up call!

[witsend]

Originally Posted by artsmartbabe

" studying her ADD." Wake up call!

Is there test?

[Sugarbossbabe]

I play online pool a lot..and I get from my son 'pool isnt important mum' well to him I say 'it is to me just like your playstation is to you' :P
We all need something dont we?

(and I dont even have ADD or anything) hee hee

[Josh_N_Arkansas]

Originally Posted by adhdxyz

OK...here's me again, checking the new posts after taking kids to school and hopping in the shower. Gotta go. I hear that voice again..."Step away from the computer"....

I wonder if my husband put a voice recorder somewhere near the computer that is activated by my typing.....

No...that isn't possible. He doesn't know how to use a computer. One night, back when the computer was in our bedroom, I walked into the room and he was sleeping. I noticed that the computer monitor had a big towel over it. When I asked him later why it was like that, he said he didn't know how to turn off the bright screen......ha ha. Guess I don't have to worry about him meeting anyone on the internet. ha ha

Lol - thats funny

[casper]

I can smpathize with all of u. The second thing I do after checking my email in the morn is check the forums. How bad is that??? Well nothing like and ADDer to Hyperfocus!

[pembroke]

oy - count me in... i'm always here checking posts...

[witsend]

I'm back again too!!