The Hard Decisions We Make for Our Kids: One Mum’s ADHD Story

Who knows if we are ever making the right decision or the best decision for our children.
We do what we think is right at the time and truly hope for the best.

My son 8 year old, has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and we have decided to try the medication route, but allowing him to try navigate if he feels like it’s helping or not.
We’ve had lots of deep conversations about how it’s not meant to change him as person, we love him the way he is, and it’s purely to try help calm his busy brain in class to allow him to learn focus.

I’ve had my cries in private as my greatest fear is that he will grow up thinking he’s not good enough the way he is, thinking he needs medication to be ‘normal’ and fit in, grow up feeling inadequate to be simply himself.

That makes me so sad and worried.
The constant worrying if I’m making the right decision or not by medicating him for school has me stressed daily.
He’s had a fantastic start to the school year, 8 weeks in, having his medication daily, his grades are already up, he’s had a merit award already as well as 5 other certificates for good behaviour.

His confidence is up, he’s been feeling so proud as am I! After a short break for 10 days on holidays he now done a total 180 saying he no longer wants to take the medication.
I’ve let him make the choice and already hearing negative feedback from his teachers.

I’m sad for him.
I don’t understand why the change.

I’m unsure whether I allow my 8 year old to make these decisions for himself or force it because I am doing what I think is best for him.

Is he really old enough to make these sorts of decisions? But could he potentially resent me when he’s older if I make the decisions for him? I just don’t know what to do...

- Holly, WA