Luke.

This morning I met with our pediatrician to discuss the possibility of Luke having ADD. *big sigh*



I can't say I didn't see this coming. I did. All the way back in Kindergarten.

Still, I was freaking out Friday night when his 2nd grade teacher sent home a note requesting a parent-teacher conference as soon as possible.

I called her that evening. She called me back at 9:30 p.m. We spoke until 11:00. That's right an hour and a half. That's a long time to talk about one kid (unless you only have one kid).

So, we talked about the problems Luke is having. He's already behind all his classmates and we're only in the third week of the school year. She was super sweet about everything and I was soooo glad she called. I want him to succeed and to be happy in school - what parent doesn't want their kids to be happy, right? She was wonderful. She told me what she was seeing. She asked what I was seeing. She said we are doing all the right things at home. And then she suggested that we talk to his pediatrician. Thank God. I have been waiting for one of his teachers to finally say the words, since all I've heard are the following things:

Unfocused. Talks. Daydreaming. Not a mean bone in his body. Can't stay on task.

These are all words and phrases the teachers (since Kindergarten) have used to describe my sweet boy. He's actually fairly bright - and I'm not trying to claim that my kid is the smartest in the class. He's just plain good at reading, competent at math, and terrible with spelling (like his mother).

The problem is that he can't concentrate for long enough to actually do his work. He gets behind on spelling tests and dictation tests. He'll miss several problems or fail to turn a math worksheet over and finish the entire thing. He is not a genius that is bored in class, like some people claim. No. The situation is that he will get distracted by just about anything.

For the past year and a half I've sought informal counsel from friends of mine who are teachers. Each one told me that if it isn't affecting his grades, I should wait until 3rd grade to have him tested. Well, by the end of his first grade year, Luke's grades had plummeted. He actually had C's on his report card. It was disheartening.


We've had his hearing and eyesight checked. He's wearing glasses now. Things haven't improved.

So, after speaking with our wonderful pediatrician this morning, I am currently arranging to have Luke tested by a psychologist to rule out IQ deficiency (not a problem that I can tell), learning disabilities/differences (also, unlikely), and finally, ADD/ADHD. I don't think he is particularly hyper, he just gets distracted when walking from his bedroom to the bathroom to brush his teeth. I'm not even sure he would remember to go pee if it wasn't for fear of soiling himself.

So, while I am grateful that none of my children has been diagnosed with any major ailment or disease or disorder (and I thank God for that everyday), I am somewhat heavyhearted to know that Luke is having issues. And the worst part about it is that he hates school now. He cries in the morning that he hates school and he hates homework. In his words, he wishes homework and school had never been invented. It shouldn't be like this. As his sweet teacher said, "Every second grader should love going to school. It should be the most exciting thing for him to see and learn new things." Sadly, we are no longer at that point with Luke. He is simply frustrated and sad. I hope that whatever we figure out with the psychologist will bring my sweet Luke back and help him to fall in love with school again.

He's just too awesome to not be happy.