Celebrate! ADHD

 NEWSLETTER 03.09.06

We love giving practical tips to help your children at home and in school, but I wanted to take a break this time from trying to figure everything out. Instead, I'm going to share something really personal (that my wife doesn't like me sharing, but oh well).

In This Issue

While Your Child Is Sleeping

Camps on the Road

Quick Tip—Love Like a Dog

Take a Fresh Look While Your Child is Sleeping

I look at other people's kids who are compliant, excel in school and are sailing through childhood. And I really like those kids, I do. At one point, I wanted a child like that and wished I had an easy kid at home. But now? I wrote the following one night after peeking in at my son sleeping. I encourage you to do the same. I hope you will discover some common feelings toward your child.

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I peek in at him late at night lying in bed, fast asleep, my no-longer-little guy sprawled out across his bed, long unruly mess of hair covering his face…and I smile. I smile because he is full of personality. He is so different than me in many ways, different than my expectations, different than the little boy I had always imagined. And for that I am grateful. He's his own person, knows what he likes and doesn't like. I look in at him, peaceful and innocent while he sleeps. The fight is gone and his little mind is resting. He's gone full force for the last sixteen hours, he needs a break.

I like it that he pushes the limits, like it that he questions everything, because one day he's going to do something spectacular. Along the way, he's going to make some big mistakes, but he's going to live large and dream large. Underneath the spunk and mouth is a heart not only lined with gold, but filled with it. It is large and feeling, and it wants to do good even when his impulses lead him astray at times.

I think God must look down and confuse him with a little tornado. But I also think God looks down and likes what he has created, likes the little tornado who is growing into a man.

I think He sees Himself in my little boy, funny as that sounds. The part of God who is the Creator, who by the sheer force of His energy and being created life and all that is in the world. The part of God who was willing to step into humanity and persevere on a rugged cross because it would help people. The part of God who walked among men, largely misunderstood, often reviled because He was different and didn't do things the way the rulers of His era thought they should be done.

But He kept going. Because He, too, had a mission. He didn't care what others thought. His vision was larger than a mere thirty-three years on earth.

I think God must see Himself in the part that sometimes misses out on earthly things because he's in tune with something deep inside another person. The part who remains an idealist even when the world around him is less than ideal. The part that isn't afraid to look into eternity and see better things in all of us.

That is my son sleeping there. We fought each other until we couldn't fight anymore. Until I realized that I was the one who needed to change, because I wasn't going to change his nature. Perhaps he has been given to me so that I would change.

That is my son. He makes me angry sometimes, makes me frustrated. Then he makes me laugh, even smile in resignation. And as I look at him, he makes me cry. He is a wonderful creation. Through all the struggles, I can see the imprints of the Creator.

He is my son. He marches to the beat of a different drummer. Thank God.

Camps on the Road

We're coming to Chicago, Raleigh, Philadelphia/Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa and other cities. We've realigned the Camps so they are more productive and more affordable. But we need to know which weekends in May, June and July work for you. We'll set dates and locations shortly, then accept only 8 families per city. Let us hear from you! More info is on our website at http://www.celebrateadhd.com/Camp.html.

QUICK TIP—LOVE LIKE A DOG

Dogs make great pets for our kids, especially teens. Funny as it sounds, sometimes dogs are the only ones who "wag their tails" when our kids come around. Teens can talk to their dogs without judgment or fear, and the dogs always listen and give their love. Sometimes we need to love just like dogs J

Thank You

To each of you has invited us into your homes and families and lives, thank you for the trust. We do not take it lightly. Let us know how we may serve you.

Kirk and Anita Martin

Founders, Celebrate!ADHD

http://www.celebrateadhd.com/