by Kimberly Cleckenr

Created on: June 15, 2010

Choosing to give a child any kind of medication can sometimes be a very hard decision to make; whether it is medicine for a virus or for the commonly diagnosed ADHD. Our children are so precious to us and we do not want to make any mistakes with what we are putting into their bodies. Being a mother of three children, I have found myself in this particular boat very often.

Today, there is great controversy over giving children medication for ADD and ADHD. With there being so many different methods to treating these conditions, the decision can be very hard. Some people choose to treat by eliminating foods and mastering behavior techniques while others choose to provide medication.

My son (now 7 ½ years old) was diagnosed with ADHD at age 4. I was well aware of what this was but did not realize how much it affected his life at home and at school until I made the choice of giving him medication. Medication was not always my first choice; I believed that I could make a difference if I simply changed his diet and how we disciplined him.  Both were very challenging, but we work very hard. I also took it upon myself to add natural herbs and vitamins to his diet.

With years or experimenting, medication was the only thing that made a huge difference in him. I do admit that I have tried a couple of different kinds to find the best match for him and have come across some that definitely did not agree with him. One particular medication kept him from eating and sleeping while others did nothing at all.

I have to say, as hard as it has been the past few years with my son; I will continue to medicate him. I choose to do this for him; to help him succeed. He has had so many ups and downs with his ADHD and I have seen him emotionally, mentally and physically struggle. He has problems both at school and at home. He emotionally struggles knowing his academics are behind.  He mentally struggles believing that what he needs to learn is too difficult for him. He physically struggles in not being able to sit still and concentrate like he should.

Medicating a child with ADHD can be a very hard thing to do, but if it is what a child needs to get through a day, succeed in school and be happy, then it should not be given a second thought. I could no longer see my child suffer in so many different areas of his life and do not do everything in my power to help him.

For my ADHD child, I choose to medicate.

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