“Bug, go get dressed. Your ride will be here in ten minutes.” This is probably already the 18th time I have told him to get dressed.
“Bug, go into your room and put on your clothes. Come on Buddy.”
I’m not going to yell today. I’m not going to yell.
“Bug, it’s time to be dressed. Come on.” I pull him up off the couch and lead him into his room. He flops down on his bed. One more time for good measure, “Get dressed please.”
I leave the room to make my coffee. “Bug, are you getting dressed?”
“I’m doing it,” he assures me.
I peak into his room and he’s flopping around like a fish out of water on his bed. And of course, he’s only in his undies.
“GET DRESSED!”
“I am.” We’ll repeat this between five and fifteen times. I get a shirt and shorts out and hand them to him. He’ll play around for a little while. He starts making robot sounds.
“Bug, are you dressed?”
“I am a robot.”
“Well, get your robot clothes on!”
“I think I just farted. As a robot.”
“Put your shirt on.”
Finally, finally he is dressed. At least a shirt and shorts.
I hear him singing in the bathroom.
“Mom, is there any human being on earth that is cold blooded?”
“No.”
“What about God?”
“No. Get your shoes on!”
Then we have a conversation about wedgies. And he starts singing a song about wedgie butts while swinging his shoes around.
“Shoes!”
Every. Day. We go round and round and round. It’s incredibly frustrating. This is life with a child with ADHD.
ADHD is only one of many mental health issues children may face. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 20% of children in the United States have mental health disorders.
As with all children with a special medical need, it can feel incredibly overwhelming and isolating. But there is good news. There are local resources and help for parents who have a children with mental health issues.
The Federation of Families of South Carolina
The Federation of Families of South Carolina is a nonprofit organization established to serve the families of children with any degree of emotional, behavioral or psychiatric disorder. They provide a wealth of resources all around the state for children with mental health issues or suffering from trauma.
The SC Department of Mental Health – Division of Children, Adolescents, and Family (CAF)
CAF is exploring new avenues for linking families with critically needed mental health services in the home, school and community settings.
The Children’s Mental Health Network
CMHN is a national organization bringing together the voices of children’s mental health. They also provide resources and information.
If your child is showing signs of a mental health disorder, contact your pediatrician, and reach out for help.
Does your child or someone you know struggle with ADHD? What resources have been the most helpful?