Thanks to everyone who commented on the Blogaversary blog post! 5 people have been chosen at random to win a free copy of our new book, Easy to Love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories!! If you are one of the winners please send your mailing address to: editorial@drtpress.com and we’ll pop a copy in the mail.
Here are the winners and here’s what they said makes their ETL child so easy to love, but so hard to raise:
KIRSTEN said “My son is easy to love and hard to raise. He has such highs and lows. As the non ADD parent the inconsistencies in his behaviors send me to the moon and back somedays. His “normal” behaviors of impulsivity, interrupting, not sitting when eating ( you get the idea right?) are all ” hot buttons” for me. Oh and did I mention the bullying to his young sisters…argh! Then we have days where his kindness is so extraordinary that I am blown away and suddenly can see the man he will one day be. he is a leader at school and on the sports fields. He is a straight A student who would prefer to tear out his fingernails rather than write a full paragraph. My son is so easy to love but somedays so har to raise. I pray for guidance each day and truly rely on this blog and others to get me through some days. thanks so much to everyone! My son’s diagnoses has been a true journey of a thousand miles and each day is a new step for all of us.”
KIMBERLY HEATH said: “My son has just recently been diagnosed with ADHD and has just started his meds. This is week one. I am seeing the incredible difference the meds have made in his life and have found that he might actually get his life back. (I might too!). Without the meds, he’s aggressive, cranky, runs through my house constantly, never stops to listen, loud, talks excessively, but is one of the sweetest boys I’ve ever met! He’s into science, legos and his ds. Without this blog and many others, I never would’ve been able to get the help that I needed for him. Thank you and Happy Birthday!!”
JEREMY HANKS said: “Our son is the most caring, thoughtful, wonderful son a parent could ever ask for. He has FASD and ADHD. The way he lights up a room, brings energy to everyone around him, & has proven his school wrong on many occasions! The school doesn’t always know what’s best for our son, which brings me to the hard to raise part. 
Never stop advocating for your child, it’s been the best thing we as parents could do for our son!
We’ve taken a different approach with his school & he, as well as us are benefiting from it! One day at a time. We party on the good days, & move forward with the not so good days!”
ANITA RICHARDS said: “Thank you for this Facebook page, and I appreciate that it has not become commercialized! Yes, my 7yo son has aggravating moments including 5 suspensions from school for disruptions and angry outbursts. His latest occured a week ago when that teacher had to take a pencil eraser from him after he refused several times to give it up. The meltdown was so bad they had to dismiss the entire class while they worked with him to calm down. Yet I know that is not my real son. Often happy, excited to learn new things, loving music and playing it in ever so creative ways, often making us smile in his innocent ways. I hope I can continue to be a good parent to him to help reveal all those hidden gifts and talents!”
and HANNA said: “The day my son came into this world remains the best day of life. A beautiful baby and now a handsome boy. I am a single mom. It has been a roller coaster ride for the past 10 years (good thing I like roller coasters =). !). After being asked to leave two day cares and preschools, lots of appointments with lOts of docs he was diagnosed with ADHD. I tried diet changes at first but that was not enough. So I spoke to the doc about meds – 2 weeks later he came with his first star student award!
My son is a natural athlete, very witty and smart. Creative and caring. He volunteers with dogs, he loves fishing, and anything outdoors. He is a patience teacher to young children. I love him endlessly, even when he drives me crazy!”
Adrienne Bashista is the co-editor of and contributor to the book, Easy to Love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories. She writes about parenting a special needs son, advocacy for special needs parents, and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, dogs, chickens, and bees.
