The Peak?

Z's schooling has not been going well, the last couple of months. Research says that TS peaks between the ages of 9-13. We're praying that this is the peak!

On the bright side, Z's 2 yr throat clearing tic has disappeared. He's also getting a lot better at recognising overreactive behavior in himself. The down side is that he now has a severe eye-rolling/blinking tic that interferes with his reading. This leads to frustration, which leads to an overreaction storm, which leads to regrets over his behavior, which leads to apathy. We need to break this chain, without being overbearing, as this leads to frustration, overreaction. . . . . .

Our shitty, rainy spring has done little to help anybody's mindset. Z spends his time checking the rain clouds and the Weather Channel. Frustration and worry have triggered Z's stomach problems, which gives him another thing to obsess over. L and I spend our time bitching about the flood in our backyard "jungle" and how the rain is stalling our efforts to complete our housepainting project. On the few nice days we've had, our outdoor chores are hindered by hordes of enormous mosquitoes and gnats!(At least SOMETHING is thriving in this weather) Our indoor spider population has also increased. This is actually turning into a good thing as Z is starting to obsess LESS about spiders. There have been so many spiders that he has actually started observing them and appreciating them for the beautiful creatures they are. Thank God for small miracles!

The last couple of years, we've been trying to organize Z's life. Not just his schoolwork, but his surroundings as well. Educators say that structure is one of the keys in conquering ADD. Right now I feel like a miserable failure in this regard. Z's room is once again in chaos, he forgets to check the lists of daily and weekly routines I have printed for him. In short, EVERYTHING seems to be falling apart!

Depression is settling over our household like a plague. We all have to physically PUSH ourselves to accomplish ANYTHING! Pulling ourselves up is our first priority.

Homeschooling would be soooo easy if Z was a "normal" child! Don't get me wrong; I don't wish to change him, TS is part of WHO he is. It's just that so much of our time is tied up riding herd on Z's short attention span. Kids his age SHOULD be able to help guide themselves through their education. Z very much wants to take control of his education, but he can't. We're hoping that his TS will start slowly sliding back to the level it was 4 yrs ago. We could handle this. Research says that by the time Z is 18, most TS behaviors will have leveled off to where they'll be for the rest of his life.

I apologize for this whiny, self-absorbed post, but you know what? Just venting here has made me feel a little better about our situation. I'd better go start the laundry, before I lose the little ambition I've just gained.