Choosing Routine Over Medication

I have noticed that when it comes to "difficult" kids, everyone has an opinion, a suggestion, a solution.  I have also noticed that there are too many people willing to share them, even when it's someone else's child.  More often than not, these suggestions and solutions are geared around changing the child or "fixing" the child.  I am constantly being told that I need to put Georgia on medication or maybe she would behave better if I tried spanking her every once in a while. 

Georgia has a lot of energy and there are days when she is emotionally all over the map.  I'm not interested in running out to get my ADHD diagnosis and put her on medication.  As for the spanking, I don't understand why people think that hurting a child who is already crying is going to make that child stop crying.  Instead of "fixing" her, I prefer to help her through as much as I can. 

I've started her on a b-complex and a fish oil supplement.  I am trying to cut as much sugar as we can from her diet.  She and I worked together to build a routine to help getting ready for school and bed easier. 

This is what we've come up with for morning and night routine.  It helps for her to see what needs to be done and keeps me from constantly nagging to do this or do that. 

 

 

 

 

I put one in the kitchen to check off in the morning and one in the bedroom to check off at night.  Each one has a box for Georgia and one for Kennedy to check.  They've made a game out of it and like to race. 

As a parent, it's my job to help my kids be the best they can, not change who they are, what they feel or how they act.  These are just a few small steps but they can make a world of difference.