| Children diagnosed as potentially having ADHD are | | | | If you trust that children by nature are curious |
| no strangers to scolding and trouble. Continuing | | | | and want to learn you will take them out of that |
| the scolding and reprimands rarely brings about | | | | horrible box of labels. Give them a new box to |
| the desired positive results you were seeking. | | | | get into that is filled with joy, trust, and love. You |
| Children thrive with positive attention but so often | | | | will start to develop a new way to listen to their |
| the focus tends to be on everything they have | | | | ideas, their questions, and begin to learn what |
| done wrong and little on what they are doing right. | | | | they are trying to teach you. These little kids are |
| We put them in a box with horrible labels | | | | miracles and have many messages to share with |
| stamped all over the outside as if to say, | | | | us all. |
| "Damaged Goods Beware." | | | | Kids want to be loved. They want to please you |
| I can remember when teachers, relatives and | | | | and at the same time be given the opportunity to |
| other adults started to label me and what it felt | | | | be happy. The best way to parent your child is to |
| like. I was sad, confused and hurt as I was | | | | let go of your fears and judgments, find |
| constantly being striped of my identity and given | | | | environments that are right for them to thrive |
| another one that seemed to work better for | | | | and show them unconditional love. |
| some so called caring adults. These harsh | | | | I have found that it is better to have a thriving, |
| judgments where deciding my future and who I | | | | happy, smiling, bouncing, bubbly child than a sad, |
| was to become. I began to ask myself, " Why | | | | depressed, lethargic, unstable, miserable, defiant, |
| was I not liked? Why was there such a need for | | | | mouthy, angry and drugged child so society can |
| me to focus on silly things that I did not care | | | | mold him/her into a robot that stands single file |
| about? Why was I expected to sit still when all I | | | | and does as their told. |
| wanted to do was run and play?" | | | | Our country was built on the fundamental right |
| The noise grew louder and louder with everyone | | | | that each citizen has the "inalienable rights" to |
| shouting and yelling. Sit Down. Be Still. Focus. Stop | | | | pursue happiness. Adults need to lead by example |
| Day Dreaming. I started to tune everyone out | | | | and get happy themselves. Stop Telling and Start |
| with each negative remark. I grew further inward | | | | Showing. We should stop worrying about |
| where it was safe in my own little world. The | | | | tomorrow and remember they are kids. They are |
| razor sharp words could not hurt me so I | | | | the key to the future and they are the only |
| became numb. | | | | expression of them that the world will ever know. |
| I really wanted to be understood. I wanted more | | | | It is time to create a HUGE box for them to live |
| than anything to just be ME. I was a little kid free | | | | into. One filled with all the brilliance and |
| spirited with loads of life and wonder. I had a lot | | | | magnificence that they already are if we just |
| of energy that would sometime spike with highs | | | | would open our eye to see. |
| but in other times I just wanted to go twiddle a | | | | Show them your love, Find new ways to parent |
| stick under a tree. | | | | your kids from a please of them teaching you |
| Childhood and all it's beauty is becoming a lost | | | | rather than you thinking you know what they |
| treasure. Children are expected to grow up way | | | | need and what you think is right for them. They |
| too early. Many are whisked off to a Pre K | | | | know where they are headed and it is each one |
| program at schools when they are as young as 3. | | | | of our jobs to support them on their journey. |
| There is such a fear to get them ready for | | | | And what a wonderful journey it is for us all to |
| school to learn that we are taking away the main | | | | share. |
| place they need to be, PLAYING. | | | | |