Archive for November 3rd, 2009

I ripped that quote out of the most recent issue of Natural Solutions magazine, and taped it to my laptop so I see it every day. It was in an article about managing an allergen-free diet during the holidays, I believe, but it spoke to me in a different way. In a single sentence, that quote managed to describe exactly why I write here, and the tribe I have assembled around me. I don’t write to embarrass my family, or to show off my kids’ strengths and weaknesses, or to toot my own horn. I write for the sense of community, for building connections, to not be alone. I hope I help build those communities and connections for others as well, so they don’t feel so alone too. Parenting is a tough job, parenting kids with WTF??? needs is even harder.

I can’t begin to express my thanks for the support after yesterday’s hysterics on my part. The emails, the notes on Facebook, the comments here. I will email back everyone as soon as I can, as I like to do that, but a quick update here before the boys come tearing into the house. I did talk to the doctor last night, and agreed this is a challenging situation. Because this is such a new drug, A is only the fifth patient in his practice to be on Intuniv. So the doctor doesn’t have all the answers; in fact, last night he was looking up answers as I was asking the questions. We decided to move his dose to dinnertime, so that mornings are calmer, and because full effect is roughly six hours after taking it. That explains why A was almost falling asleep in school yesterday afternoon; his meds kicked in around 2:30. He held out as long as he could, went to bed at 6:30 and slept for a solid 12 hours. The kid has NEVER slept that long. Ever. The larger pill can be split and taken as 2 smaller sizes. Thank GOD. And I have another pill taking trick up my sleeve that we will try tonight.

This community, this online community, is something that is so difficult to explain unless you live in it. To try to explain to people that I have very dear friends all over the world I’ve never met, who I’d let take my kids out, who I trust completely…it sounds insane. This online tribe of writers, of parents, of people, is so valuable to me, and I’m honored to be a part of it.