MOMania

By Jeff

January 14, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this

Rudeness: If my kis is being rude to anyone, all they need do is let me know exactly what my kid is doing, and don’t couch it in nice terms. Just tell me straight up. If I determine it to be rude, it’ll be dealt with and you won’t have to worry about it again. If I determine it NOT to be rude, you can deal with it or lose my business.

Autism: SOMETHING is causing a rise in autism. That much is fact. It could be as simple as doctors now know what to look for, so they are making more accurate diagnoses. (The history of mental illness isn’t exactly a rosy picture…)

It could also be that there IS something in vaccines that is causing it. And honestly, putting a known carcinogen into your own body seems risky to me, but if an adult wants to do it, feel free. As far as my actual position on whether a parent should have it done to their kid, I’m going to go with zero government coercion either way. In other words, government should not force the parent to allow the vaccination, but neither should government say that the parent can NOT allow the vaccination.

Vick’s: I never liked it being rubbed on me ANYWHERE. Don’t mind it in the bottle - it actually helped, and I actually liked the smell - just don’t like anything being rubbed on me.

By motherjanegoose

January 14, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this

Rudeness…perhaps doctors are seeing in the same epidemic fashion as are teachers.

There are some children I work with whose parents I would like to have a word with about rudeness . Just ask a teacher!

Here is what I was thinking this last week after church…I know I will catch complaints from many of you but I am plodding ahead:

Children who attend church with their families seem to have a better sense of right and wrong as they hear it every week, Even adults who are in church get a dose of the scripture and their conscience may be pricked.

Are all church kids good NO…are some preacher’s kids rotten….YES Do all adults behave correctly that attend church…No way.

Many families are too busy with other things and church has become something not to worry about….unless there is a family emergency and then let’s all pray about it.

I am worried about the values and morals of our society…I do not care what church you attend… practice a faith that adheres to principles that allow folks to live together with respect: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU… Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Remember…your children are watching you!

By motherjanegoose

January 14, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this

Re: Vicks…does anyone know abut this tip…rub Vicks on your feet and wear sox to bed ( not mandatory but for the mess factor)….it is said to stop you from coughing. I have not tried it but some swear by it…who knows?

By momtojayden&xavier

January 14, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this

MJG, I can safely say the Vicks on the feet with socks works wonders!!! I use it for myself as well as they boys. It helps you rest well, without all of the coughing, and you feel so much better in the morning. I actually found out about this in one of those parenting magazines in my pediatricians office. Good luck!!

By new mom

January 14, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this

I wish I had more time to write today, but one quick question I have—what about the ‘baby vicks’? I used it when I was pregnant, since the smell is pretty tolerable (rosemary and lavendar I think) and I have used it on our girl’s chest, but never on her face. Even though it helped her during her cold, it made her sensitive skin kinda bumpy.
Anyone else have experience w/ baby vicks, or know if this article is referring to it also? thanks!

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

Hey new Mom — I think the article is only referring to the adult’s Vicks — but I don’t think with any of them they want you to put it on their faces —— I usually use the Johnson’s and Johnsons’s baby one for colds — It always seemed milder — but never on their faces just on chests —- I’ve had a hard time finding it lately so I did recently buy some of the store baby Vicks type product — but again just for chests —- I think the baby form is just milder — the real Vicks hurts my skin even on my chest - my skin is too sensitive so even I use the baby form -

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this

Guys, here is more info on the study about Vicks and the what happens when parents use it on kids.

By David S

January 14, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

A doctor who is a vaccine inventor, the vaccine industry, autism researchers (folks who make money off the disease occurring) all endorce the book. No conflict of interest there!

Meanwhile there has already been documented evidence that certain genetic types cannot metabolize mercury (in thimerosal - a preservative that is STILL used in vaccines) and even one case where this caused autism.

Far too many folks have too much of a financial interest in keeping the vaccine industry going along as it has been and then some. Their financial motivation exceeds their concerns for the safety of their patients. Federal law even exempts them from any financial consequences (pretty nice huh?)

Blindly accepting the word of financially interested doctors is the worst kind of mistake you can make when it comes to your child’s health.

This is far too complicated an issue that no doubt involves diet, genetics, mom’s diet, vaccines, environmental factors, and others. The fundamental problem with western medicine is that it is being driven by the profit motive of drug companies whose only motivation is to cure symptoms, never to prevent the problem in the first place. The research being done for every disease unfortunately is plagued by that influence.

There is no money in preventing autism or cancer or heart disease, only in “curing” the disease or easing the symptoms.

By catlady

January 14, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

Vicks, camphophonique, epsom salts, and pain reliever—always have these for any emergency! My grandmother believed almost anything could be handled with these few items.

Rudeness: it is amazing how many parents seem unaware of their children’s rudeness, especially their rudeness to the parents! In my experience, the parents do not take kindly to being told their kids are rude. When a kid is rude to me, however, I say, in front of the parent, “That is a rude question” or “Excuse me? To whom are you speaking?” Or, when a child tells me what they think I should allow, “That is not your decision to make.” If it is at school, I correct the child as if it were my own. It amazes me how many parents seem to cower before their obnoxious, out of control kids. As a teacher, I see many, many of these children with an inflated sense of self worth or importance or lack of guidance in how to behave appropriately.

On autism: could be caused by vaccines, but I don’t buy it. If you choose not to have your child vaccinated, fine, but they should NOT be allowed in public school to put other kids at risk. Also, it seems odd that parents can try to sue if they think their child is damaged, but the government cannot recover costs when unvaccinated kids cause illness to be spread to others, including teachers. I think parents should be financially liable for that. I have lost untold thousands of dollars to doctors and lost work because parents send their children to school with fevers and vomiting “because I have to work.”

By David S

January 14, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

Interesting that “religious practices” have no effect but “spirituality” does. That certainly says a lot about “organized religion.” So what exactly is meant by spirituality? The report uses the criteria “Personal aspects of spirituality (meaning and value in one’s own life) and communal aspects (quality and depth of inter-personal relationships)”. What exactly do those things have to do with spirituality? And how exactly does one measure those things accurately in a child who barely knows anything about “meaning and value” or depth of interpersonal relationships? I don’t mean to be glib, but I always thought that spirituality at some level required a personal connection/relationship with god or some sense of higher being. Certainly there is likely some correllation between these factors and general happiness, but I would hesitate to call them measures of spirituality.

By YUP

January 14, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

My daughter is developmentally delayed and although she is and looks 6, she acts like a temper tantrum having 3 year old. From the outside, she looks normal, but she has had over 13 surgeries and has a small brain injury. PLEASE dont judge a book by its cover. She can be sweet, but someone who has spent 1/2 their life in a hospital has no social skills…duh! We are working on it, but in the mean time, what am I supposed to do? Put a shirt on her that says, “I am not a brat, I have a chromosomal deletion”??? Be fair and dont judge other peoples kids, it isnt your place.

Also, We put vicks on the outside of the undershirt so they can smell it, but it doesnt touch them :)

By Nurse

January 14, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

I absolutely believe that parents have the right not to vaccinate their children. However, the state of Georgia does not allow for philosophical immunization waivers in public schools, only medical and religious waivers. And please consider your unvaccinated child’s safety when sending them to school with other children who may be unvaccinated or under-vaccinated such as children recently arrived from other countries in the world where vaccine preventable diseases are endemic and vaccines are not always available.

Also, if you do not have your children vaccinated please do not insist on bringing your child, sick with whooping cough or measles to the pediatricians office. If you don’t vaccinate, be prepared to take care of your sick child yourself at home.

One last thought before I get off my soapbox…before the advent of vaccines for childhood illnesses, children DIED from these diseases. Died, dead, in a coffin, gone forever.

By DB

January 14, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

Rudeness pet peeve: I am constantly amazed at how many parents allow their children to interrupt adult conversations. The parent might protest and say, “You’re interrupting!” or some other innane filler (translated: “I know they are being rude, and I’m going to pretend like I’m doing something about it”), but they don’t correct them, and, in a marvelous bit of reinforcement, respond to the intrusion by giving the child the attention or response they want. I had an acquaintance that I ended up dropping a friendship with, because frankly, I couldn’t stand her rude kids, and I was never able to finish a sentence without one of them barging into a conversation. It was simply too stressful to try to carry on a conversation with her! What their mother thought was “cute” and “precocious” I labeled as “smarta@@” and “rude.” My own four year old wasn’t allowed to order me around — I’d be damned if hers would!

@YUP, I don’t think that a doctor, who is presumably familiar with your daughter’s challenges, would add to your problems by lecturing you on your daughter’s “rudeness”. As far as everyone else goes, I was always taught that it was just as bad manners to try to correct someone else’s manners as it was to be rude, yourself.

By Cammi317

January 14, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

When my daughter was younger I told her if she felt that she just had to act out to please refrain until we were home and out of public view…she took it to heart for a while. Now she is 11 and driving me mad again. A lot of it I am sure is changing hormones, but I fail to see how I could be “ruining” her life on a daily basis. As long as her teachers find her well mannered…

The smell of Vicks stings my eyes and makes me gag from across the room, so why would anyone choose to put it directly under their child’s nose?

I have always been weary of immunizations, but I figure she has a better survival chance with them than without.

By Becc

January 14, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

Rudeness: Its no wonder today’s children have become so rude. Just look at the shows they are watching on TV that promote a rude/bad attitude. Shows that most parents deem safe such as Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Suite Life of Zach and Cody and many many others tell our children everyday its ok to mouth off to grownups and be rude to each other.

By elysha wood

January 14, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this

I have two children on the autism spectrum…a 5 yr old son who is mild to moderate and a 3 yr old daughter. My son recieved all his vaccines…we stopped with my daughter after her 6th mo vaccines and after she was showing signs of developmental delay. My daughter now talks, points and is very interactive…occassionally has repetitive flapping and is still about a year behind her peers. My son, at 5, says 3 words. Both have had the same early interventions w/ therapies and specialized preschools,etc. I think it is very easy for a parent with typical kids to say stuff like “yeah, don’t get your kid around mine if it’s not vaccinated” or “the govt should ban these kids from attending school” etc. UNLESS YOU’VE EVER HAD TO LIVE WITH AUTISM, YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT. Couples w/ children w/ ASD have an 86% divorce rate (stat from autismspeaks.com) and have enough spiritual, emotional, and financial burdens as it is without an unthinking, and uncaring general populace judging us for what is NOT OUR FAULT. When you have a child, you never know what your child may have, or end up with. We eradicated most of the stuff we get vaccinated for long ago. Autism affects 1:80 boys in GA. While I would love to give immunity protection to my daughter, I’m going to wait until she’s well on her way to being caught up with her typical peers to do so. I would rather my child take the small risk of catching something we’ve pretty much eradicated than giving them biomedical toxic overload from shots. ALL YOU PARENTS WHO JUDGE…go find a family with autistic children and see what their lives are like before you say anything more!

By Nurse

January 14, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

Elysha Wood,

You have the right to your opinion but I still believe “don’t get your kid around mine if it’s not vaccinated” or “the govt should ban these kids from attending school” becuase I don’t want my children DEAD just to keep your feelings from being hurt.

“We eradicated most of the stuff we get vaccinated for long ago.” How do you think that happened in the U.S.? BY HAVING ALL CHILDREN VACCINATED. You need to visit the World Health Organization website to get recent statistics on these diseases “we eradicated long ago”. In the U.S. there has been a recent increase in the number of Pertussis cases. You need to check your facts before shooting off your mouth.

Having children with Autism is not your fault, but having unvaccinated children is! Keep your unvaccinated children away from others!

By DB

January 14, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

@elysia, I worked with autistic kids as part of a project when I was in college majoring in psychology, and my admiration for their parents’ strength and patience has never left me.

But I do have to disagree with you on one issue. The childhood diseases you dismiss as having been “eradicated” are still very active. In 2005 alone, over 345,000 children worldwide died from measles. Outbreaks of rubella still occur regularly in the U.K. and elsewhere in the world, if not in the U.S. — but this is a global culture, and as we all know, our borders are open. You are probably protected from your childhood vaccine, but your daughter and a future fetus may be at risk, especially as a pregnant adult, if she comes into contact with someone who is contagious. And there was a case of mumps at Ga. Tech two years ago. As of January, 2007, there were over 6,000 reported cases of mumps in the US in 2007, compared to just over 300 in 2006, putting unvaccinated people at risk for forms of meningitis, as well as sterility in men.

So, no, those diseases have not been “eradicated”. They are just lying in wait. I think smallpox is the only thing we can congratulate ourselves on for “eradicating”, we haven’t seen that since before 1979.

By Michelle

January 14, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

To nurse…from another nurse…I totally agree. You make decisions for your children until they are old enough to do that for themselves. You should keep in mind though that you ARE exposing your child to illness each and every day that you take them out into a public area! If they DO come down with an illness (i.e. whooping cough) YOU should be the one staying home with them preventing others from being exposed! There are kids who attend school that are unable to fight off those kinds of illness because of cancerns, etc. As nurse said, before vaccines, these kids just died or became severely disfigure (smallpox).

My sister was worried about vaccines for her children. She “delayed” their immunizations until they were past the age when autism is typically diagnosed. Then, there was no confusion if her children were diagnosed with autism, it would be clear that it was NOT related to vaccinations.

At Yup…I have a friend who (like you) instead of putting the Vick’s directly on her childs skin, put it on a piece of fabric in a cloth pouch that her child wore around his neck or pinned to his shirt! What a great idea for those little ones with the skin sentivities!

By Add up the Numbers

January 14, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

The reason that you see such an increase in so many chronic conditions is because of better medical care. Today’s medical profession saves many sickly, and genetically deficient people that then are able to reproduce and keep their infirmities in the gene pool to be passed on for generation after generation. It is not a matter of good or bad, right or wrong it is just how things are. I personally think that all the alphabetical “diseases” are just a way for the medical and pharmaceutical companies to make fortunes off the public. Good discipline usually clears up ADHD after a couple of firm applications.

By Cammi317

January 14, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this

Good discipline usually clears up ADHD after a couple of firm applications LOL…Sounds like you know my mother…ROFL!

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

Dear Add up the numbers — that ADHD comment is a bunch of crap! There are lots of parents calling behavior problems ADHD, but true ADHD has nothing to do with a lack of discipline.

By JC

January 14, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

Discipline? That word is totally unfamiliar to the vast majority of today’s parents. There is now a conveniently named medical condition for every behavior that used to be called “misbehaving.” Misbehaving in general is now referred to as “acting out,” but I have news for you, it is still misbehaving. Dress it up by calling it something else but it is still just misbehaving.

By AJ

January 14, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this

Rudeness: I got an email from my 6 year olds teacher at school telling me that she is concerned b/c my son is too NICE! HELLO, GOOD!!!! She say’s that he has all of his manners, excels in his work and is too nice to his friends; and she is concerned that he will be bullied when he gets older, so she wants me to do something about this. SURE! I said, how about do yoru job which is to teach my child, I will teach him his manners. In which I have and obviously am proud of! I think it is VERY IMPORTANT that parents stay on there kids about manners. It’s our job. Plus he is a gift from God and I am to raise him as best as I can to please my God. And no, none of his behavior is caused by some type of vaccination…

By new step mom

January 14, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this

Here is my question about autism and vaccines. I am 34 years old and was inadvertently given 2 MMR vaccines as a baby. Wouldn’t that make the perfect candidate to have autism if vaccines were the cause? I have no autism signs or symptons. Vaccines may somehow trigger ASD, but I cannot help but think they are not the lone culprit due to my dual exposure.

I do agree that I do not want the use of vaccines to stop. My husband and I plan to start a family soon and autism scares me, but lack of vaccines scare me more.

By Max

January 14, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this

Theresa, Are you suppose to be that rude to the people who participate in this blog? I for one won’t continue to read it if people are not allowed to express their opinions without you blasting them.

By ADHD mom

January 14, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

For the ADHD comments - I’m an ADHD mom and a special ed teacher. BIG difference between true ADHD and a badly behaved kid. IMHO there are far too many kids labeled ADHD (that I have to teach!) who are simply badly behaved or badly parented. And then there are the kids with true ADHD problems that affect their every day lives. ADHD means my son has trouble staying organized, makes impulsive decisions and can have mood swings when he feels overwhelmed. It does NOT mean he can get away with being rude or undisciplined or lazy. The medication that helps him can cause more mood swings and he’s going through pubery which is just one long mood swing. None of this excuses bad parenting. No IEP or medication will ever reverse the effects of bad parenting.

By ADHD mom

January 14, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

For the ADHD comments - I’m an ADHD mom and a special ed teacher. BIG difference between true ADHD and a badly behaved kid. IMHO there are far too many kids labeled ADHD (that I have to teach!) who are simply badly behaved or badly parented. And then there are the kids with true ADHD problems that affect their every day lives. ADHD means my son has trouble staying organized, makes impulsive decisions and can have mood swings when he feels overwhelmed. It does NOT mean he can get away with being rude or undisciplined or lazy. The medication that helps him can cause more mood swings and he’s going through pubery which is just one long mood swing. None of this excuses bad parenting. No IEP or medication will ever reverse the effects of bad parenting.

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

Dear Max — You must not read very often because I rarely if ever “blast” anyone. Generally, you guys attack me viciously, and I just take it and have taken it for four years. True ADHD is something that I have witnessed personally, and much like the ADHD Mom who wrote after you, know that discipline has nothing to do with it. And when people, with probably little to no real knowledge on the topic, preach about how to fix it with discipline that just hurts the children who are really dealing with it. It hurts the understanding of these children and hurts the treatment that these children receive. So if I know that something is untrue and I feel strongly about it, I am not going to let that misinformation be distributed on this blog.

By RA

January 14, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

Good Nurse, You have been philosophically and factually bamboozled! When infection is confirmed, the unvaccinated child is asked to be removed from the public by the vaccinated group because of supposed concerns for the unprotected child.(unvaccinated). If the vaccine works then the vaccinated parents should be fully confident. Do they doubt efficacy? But what has happened recently is parents(including medical personell) have been taught that the unvaccinated puts the vaccinated at risk. A common argument is that some kids CAN’T get the vaccines and they are being put at risk. This takes away from the fact that the vaccine may not do what people think it does. Prevent disease. The concern is then shifted away from efficacy to altruistic behavior. Not science. So the parent is effectively told they need to vaccinate and risk their child for the sake of another child. Unvaccinated children do not “harbor” illness. Sick children, vaccinated or not , have illness. This is all about the theory of herd immunity. Not scientific evidence.

Also, vaccinations are not soley responsible for past common infectious diseases. What is up for debate is what role they played. The majority of these diseases had declined with better living conditions long before antibiotics or vaccines were implemented. And where do they affect now? Third world countries with poor living conditions.

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this

Dear Max — I have cooled off some. I am not trying to be rude. I just don’t want people to believe things that are not true.

Hey New Step MOm — I think that people who believe autism is caused by vaccines are concerned about the increasing number of vaccines children receive over how many we got when we were children. I can’t remember the number but it was a big increase and come fairly close together while they are still so small.

I think I read the number on this web site one time — check it out and see if it helps you determine anything

By new step mom

January 14, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

Thanks! I appreciate the info.

By LJ

January 14, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

RA, What risk do you think a sick, unvaccinated child would pose to infants that are too young to have been vaccinated for a given disease? This is the group most likely to be permanently injured or killed by most of the infections we vaccinate against.

By Tinkydog

January 14, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

My uncle used to say, “there are no bad kids, just bad parents.” I agree. Also, to even think rudeness is a medical condition is stupid and ridiculous. Bad behavior is a product of poor training and poor parenting. Kid and dogs have a common trait. They will get away with whatever they feel they can. An untrained dog is a worthless animal that just costs money to feed and care for. Need I say more? Want good kids? Train them to be responsible and respectful. Its easy. Just ask my three of whom I am very proud and am constantly complemented about.

By motherjanegoose

January 14, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

Speaking from experience, those who have ADHD cannot be cured with discipline anymore than children who have allergies. HOWEVER… there are far too many behavior problems that are pointed in the ADD or ADHD direction and it is easier to blame it on a medical reason than on bad parenting.

I despise it when folks laugh and say: the ADD is kicking in….not funny!

Let’s face it…there are some bad parents and when these parents continue to have LOTS of kids…we are in big trouble. The parents who need to, rarely succumb to parenting classes and this is being discussed in virtually every educational arena.

Quick topic: I just wanted to share that those of you who will whine about children going out to play in the cold weather tomorrow and Friday ….I spoke with my sister today and she told me that in Wisconsin, they HAVE to go out and play as long as the wind chill is not below zero…zip up those jackets and stop whining….LOL! Fresh air never hurt anyone! Incubation inside spreads germs.

By kimmer

January 14, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

Lets look at the facts.

FACT: As recently as when my father was growing up thousands of children died annually of vaccine preventable illnesses.

FACT: Childhood immunizations have saved hundreds if not thousands of children’s lives from infectious disease.

FACT: A link between autism and immunization and SIDs and immunization has been exhaustively searched for in numerous epidemiological studies and has never been found.

The notion that it is all covered up in the name of corporate greed is truly laughable. Companies stand to generate far more revenue in the treatment of illness than in its prevention.

Its amazing to me that the same people who distrust conventional outcome based medicine will turn around and fall head over heels for every junk science theory based upon half-truths without a shred of truly scientific data.

By haha

January 14, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

While reading all the nurse/teacher comments, I was thinking what RA said. What the heck are worried and b*** about if your kids have had the vaccine. I mean, they’re protected right, according to your own words so why don’t you just lay off of the ones that don’t want to give it to their children? Geez, teachers & nurses think they know it all when neither job requires much education.

By Cammi317

January 14, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

I believe that I have ADD, but not the hyper kind. As a kid I would just zone out. I would be living some alternate reality and, I am embarassed to admit it, but on rare occassions found myself conversating aloud. Thank G’d I was usually alone when that happened. However, my sisters did catch me on many occassions sitting with a goofy smile on my face for new reason. I would hum and sing aloud in class w/o being aware. The odd part was I never missed a beat on the assignments. I was an honor roll student. It was the worst in 2nd grade and I was kept afterschool almost everyday, because the teacher. My mom’s solution was a belt, because there was no such thing as ADD in 1978…it was called “day dreaming”. I learned to control it during class. In my early twenties I found myself getting in the car driving and not remembering the drive from point A to point B, but I never had any accidents or ran any traffic lights. I was twenty-five when I had my daughter and was extremely afraid that this would happen while I had her in the car with me. It never has. Even now I still zone out from time to time at home and at my office, but I am much more in control of it than I was as a child.

By Theresa

January 14, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

Hey MJG — I’m worried I gave the baby a cold this week by taking her out walking earlier in the week in the cold!! I had her bundled up and took her for a long walk and to play on the playground. it was close to 50 degrees but we were out for about 2.5 hours. And now she’s all sneezy and drippy! I know colds come from germs and not cold weather but I’m wondering if I hurt her resistance by taking her out.

By Tiffany

January 14, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

@Cammi-you know these days adults can also be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. It is a very real medical condition. Believe me, I know. My son has it. He has never let it get him down. He has learned to focus a lot better over the years, and really excells in sports. Adults can be helped too. I will bet that you have a very creative side to you…most people with ADD are very artistic and sensitive. Anyone that believes this condition doesn’t exist has a lot to learn. Good luck to you!

By MomsRule

January 14, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this

While I agree ADD/ADHD is real, it is not as rampant and wide spread as the parents/teachers/doctors of all these “diagnosed” children would have you believe.

Most (not all) of the children that I personally know who are labeled as such are suffering from bad parents and, yes, lack of discipline.

Its a shame.

What I’d like to know is why doctors can’t tell the difference.

I haven’t yet met a teacher at any of the schools I’ve visited who is educated or licensed to practice medicine.

And yet, I’ve been witness to many teachers who put ADD/ADHD labels on children and then encourage/pressure/even bully parents to get their kids on drugs.

It seems to me, far too many people are looking for an easy solution. Drug the kids.

Parents need to parent! Teach your children, discipline them and hold them accountable. You might just be surprised.

Teachers need to educate and stop acting like they are better and always know more than every parent. Trust me, you aren’t and you don’t.

And, doctors, somehow need to be able to see the difference between kids with real issues and those that just have bad/lazy parents. I don’t know, maybe they are getting kick backs from the drug companies….

By Cammi317

January 14, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this

Thanks Tiffany. Good luck to your son as well.

By motherjanegoose

January 14, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

Momsrule….teachers are not always acting like they are better and always know more than every parent. They happen to see MORE children than most parents and thus have a bigger pool from which to draw their thought process and expertise.

I have visited airports in 48 states…I can tell you things about airports that many who frequent Atlanta Hartsfield ( the busiest airport in the U.S,) do not know. It is all about seeing a bigger picture and not necessarily knowing more.

Some parents are only looking at their little darlings and have never thought about anyone else.

I personally NEVER diagnosed a child with ADD or ADHD…I am not a doctor and this is NOT my expertise. I can tell when a child is not performing in line with his/her peers and then would mention it to the parents as a concern.

THERESA: While colds and the flu commonly appear during winter months, the truth is that they are not the result of being out in the cold. According to the American Lung Association®, these infections prevail because it’s the time of year when viruses usually spread across the country. Viruses and infections spread when many people stay indoors and are in closer contact with each other—including each other’s germs. To best avoid catching a cold or flu, limit your time spent with sniffling friends and wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat and after you use the restroom. And since being out in the cold may give you a chill, but not a cold, remember to bundle up before enjoying the great outdoors!

By Tiffany

January 14, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this

MotherJaneGoose, I really appreciate that you are helping parents be aware of ADD/ADHD. My son’s kindergarten teacher is the one who convinced me to have him tested at age 5. I owe a debt of gratitude to this wonderful lady that I can never repay. We were able to get help through the school, and he has been progressing beautifully ever since. Most parents would rather teachers just say that everything’s great instead of hearing anything negative about their child. I can understand a teacher not wanting to get involved, because some parents can be downright hostile about hearing that their child has ADD. But a truly dedicated teacher that actually wants to help a child succeed can work wonders. I will always be greatful to my son’s teacher who cared enough to make a difference in his life.

By motherjanegoose

January 14, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this

Theresa…I forgot to put that I cut and paste ( ?) the information about colds from another web site…this is not something I came up with….not my field.

Tiffany…many parents cannot comprehend that teachers do want the best for their children. I will say that personally, when a parent is downright obtuse towards my suggestion about their child, it makes for a difficult relationship. Education is like a stool…there are 3 sides: teacher/parent/child… when one side breaks down …things are not accomplished in a positive manner.

I am not a doctor but I have worked with kids for over 25 years and can generally tell when something is wrong. I have referred children when I sensed they needed an extra look or perspective.

If you are a new parent with a young child…it is in your best interest to assimilate advice from teachers. Teachers do not know everything but they do know lots of things!

I remember when I was a teacher and not a parent. I did not have that perspective under my belt but now I do.

haha…your comment did not require much education either…I cannot understand it…am I missing something?

By Max

January 15, 2009 7:30 AM | Link to this

Theresa, I read your blog every single day and I have for about 2 years. I have also worked with ADHD children for the past 30 years. People who don’t understand ADHD children don’t want to and never will. They don’t want to understand them. However, I thought it strange that rudeness in children was being discussed and then there you were. Children, as you know, learn the rudeness from the parents. I am glad that this was just a one time occurance.

By lakerat

January 15, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this

We had the ADD/ADHD debate about 6 months ago on this site - please note that, per WEBMD and other sites, there is no longer a condition known as ADD; it has systematically been replaced by the moniker of ADHD, so we can all drop the ADD aspect and just argue about ADHD.

While I still have my belief that this is “labeling” by the medical profession, I do not doubt that the symptoms exhibited by the child exist and are disruptive; I just disagree that “labeling” and then treating the child with a drug is the way to treat the “symptoms”. Many wrote about my position, some agreeing and many disagreeing, MJGoose and Theresa among those who disagreed most vehemently. I do agree that the medication works - heck, you, too, would calm down if you were zoned out medically. Heck, when I was in college in the 70’s it was thought that you could study better if you just toked up a little and kids swore by this reasoning!

Theresa, regarding your concern that the cold weather contributed to your little one’s sniffles, I am glad that you said you really understood that germs cause colds and its symptoms; hence, you need to look back at where you took her the previous 48-72 hours before the onset of the sniffles to determine where she was exposed to the germs, thus alleviating your concerns that her exposure to the cool weather was the cause of her current condition.

By DB

January 15, 2009 7:48 AM | Link to this

@mjg, I think momsrule does have a point, in the sense that many doctors have a hard time differentiating between poorly trained children and ADHD — mostly because they see the child in an artificially small time window, and are relying on evaluation sheets from teachers. And, as much as I adore teachers and are related to quite a few of them, teachers make mistakes — and one of the mistakes that seem to be prevalent today is labeling ADD. It was suggested, of both of my children when they went through 1st grade (boy and a girl) that they be “tested” for ADD (i.e., the teacher wanted confirmation of her suspicions.) For one, we found out, by sheer serendipity, that he was dealing with a sensory defensive issue that was easily solved with some occupational therapy. Neither the doctor, the teacher or the psychologist we had taken him to for screening had considered that option (the psychologist does now, though, routinely). But his pediatrician’s response, when I broached the possibility to him, was “Well, let’s try him on Ritalin and see if that has any effect.” WHAT?! Feed a child psychotropic drugs and sit back and see if they affect him? I was horrified. For the other child, the teacher labeled her “inattention and dreaminess” as ADD — when it turned out to be an occult ear infection that had temporarily occluded 80% of her hearing. The teacher’s solution had been to place her at the back of the class … yep, let’s make it even HARDER for her to hear you, shall we? Grr.

In both of these instances, if I had panicked and gone along with the “experts”, both of my kids would still be swilling Ritalin ten years later, because Ritalin DOES have an effect, whether you have ADD or not (thus the active black market on the pills). As it is, I asked questions, and had a little luck with some talented diagnosticians —both kids have done outstanding jobs in an intense academic environment and I have had nothing but compliments on their behavior.

So if I’m a little skeptical of the “experienced experts”, you’ll have to pardon me.

By RA

January 15, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

LJ, Do you have a child in this category? If so I can understand your concerns and fears. If, not then are you looking for an answer or do you have a different motive?

If you are truly concerned with a child’s well being then you need to ask some important questions and look at the history. Questions like: How many people contracted the disease. How many recovered from it. How many ACTUAL deaths, not statistically inferred.What was the overall conditions of these individual deaths? Did they have other system problems, poor nutrition, poor living conditions. Look back at the BIG picture. You realize when you get to this point you’re dealing with a very small percentage of the population. And you’ll have to do a little research. Research that your pediatrician probably doesn’t know. Look at his/her own journals

What this comes down to is you are asking my child to be innoculated to what you think will protect your child.There is no scientific evidence for this.It’s only hypothetical. This an ethical, moral, political and philosophical argument. Not science.

The tactic is fear. Make people think their helpless babies will die if EVERYONE doesn’t submit. The facts (numbers not percentages) show a different story. I can give you a few if you like. This is a social/statists agenda.What’s good for the state supercedes the good of the people/individuals. If a baby dies, so what many more were protected in their view.What’s really messed up is the CDC/ medical doctors tell you it’s genetic as if it’s your babies fault. Don’t dare question our potion. BTW their is no such thing as a genetic epidemic.If someone chooses to sacrifice themselves for the good of the state, I have no problem with that. It may even be noble. But when the state(CDC,AAP, AMA) forces me to endanger myself or family, I have a huge problem with that. Paul Offit and his like minded do not want you to make that distinction. Vaccinate or go to jail. That is the mantra. Use any tactics neccessary to justify this.True informed consent represents a barrier to this strategy.

Vaccines are not 100% safe. Some people die, become neurologically and permanently handicapped. They are not 100% effective. Far from it.

By LJ

January 15, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Every single child born on this planet has a period during which they are not immunized against many diseases. That’s not an insignificant population. My only motive is to make people understand that saying “my unvaccinated child isn’t a risk to your vaccinated child” is far from reality.

Can you demonstrate for me (with appropriate scientific references, of course) that any of the vaccines that we use are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent?

By RA

January 19, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this

“When it happens to your child, the risks are 100 percent. Doctors are fallible and there are no guarantees.

Therefore, the only “ethical” thing to do when a medical intervention like vaccination carries with it a risk of injury or death, is to allow individuals the right to informed consent to taking the risk for themselves or their children. Those who do not want to take the risk of being injured or dying from an infectious disease, have the right to risk becoming injured or dying from vaccination. Those who do not want to take the risk of being injured or dying from a vaccination, have the right to risk becoming injured or dying from an infectious disease.

The vaccinated should have nothing to fear from the unvaccinated IF the vaccines work as well as doctors maintain they do. The only “free riders” in America are those who force their beliefs on others in an effort to destroy the spirit and intent of the US Constitution, which first and foremost seeks to protect minorities from being abused by the majority.

We should all be worried whenever anyone tries to demonize and target minorities who hold different beliefs from the majority in an attempt to pit citizen against citizen. The first step toward totalitarianism is to target the minority in question as a threat to the public health and welfare. The second step is to encourage citizens to identify and round up fellow citizens who belong to the minority and destroy them.”

Barbara Loe Fisher 909shot.com in response to a teacher who asked about turning his friends in to their school districts for not vaccinating their children.