Hello, I’m new but frustrated on today

Hello, I’m new to the group just looked up some info on the web. I have a son who has adhd & we have a hard time getting him to take his meds by the way he’s 13. Today I left out very early & he was left in the care of his sisters. Long story short I returned home from runnin errands & told him to give his play station a rest for the evening. OMG he went off....why I can’t play it, I didn’t do anything. I said becuz you just need to give it a rest. He still was showing out, so here comes the consequence if you’re disobedient & continue to show out. No game. Shortly after his episode it came to me did he take his meds this morning. So I asked no reply, his sister asked he answered & said no. OMG!!!! Why didn’t you take your meds no reply. I got so frustrated & sent him to his room. Moving forward I will assign one of the sisters in charge of making sure he takes his meds. Guess I need to vent.

Thanks,

Signed a frustrated mom....oh & Happy Mother’s Day

[anirush]

Yeah if they don't take their meds you don't see it in the evening!

[reg2018]

I'm so sorry you're feeling frustrated. You're not alone with this particular issue. Telling ADHD kids to stop playing video games seems to be a common trigger for many of them. In our home we have specific limits on video game time each day. That way it's not a random thing when you tell a child that they have to stop playing. When they've used up their tokens, there is no more time available.

We also have additional rules associated with video games, like if you make threats or use violence you lose your privileges. My son has had specific games deleted from his iPod because I've found that he gets particularly frustrated when he plays them. It just isn't worth the behaviors when he plays those games.

[Hidden in reply to reg2018]

Thank you so much. I think I try using a scheduled time for his play station. Again thanks 😊

[reg2018]

You're welcome. I use tokens for video game time for my kids and divide it up into 20 minute increments. They get five tokens a day for a total of an hour and forty minutes of video game time. The rule is the token goes in the jar, the timer is set and then they can start playing, so token, timer, play.

If I discover a child is playing with no timer set or the timer is past and I have no idea how long he's been playing without a timer then two tokens go in, no arguments. It helps them to take accountability for their time.

They're not perfect with it, but it gives them the opportunity to learn limits.

[kellipwarren]

Hi I totally understand your frustration. I also have a 13 year old adhd son that loves his xbox and cell phone. Those are the first things taken away when he displays bad behavior. We had to write down the rules, have him read it and sign it so he is well aware of the consequences. He was mad when we told him his phone had to be in our bedroom by 9pm but he has adjusted and now puts it away on his own. It was a battle for a while but we stayed consistent. Part of the behavioral problems are the adhd and partl just the age. It's a tough combination. He just went on a 3 day field trip with his school and we agreed to let him not take his meds but told him to limit his sugar intake. Well Monday morning I got a call from his teacher and she said he was out of control! Did not mind, was disrespectful, a cursed at her when she took his phone because he was using it when he was not supposed to.

I was beside myself! Never in a million years would I have even thought about cursing at a grown up!! Needless to say I felt like crawling under a rock. So trust me you are not alone. It is challenging and exhausting sometimes. Hang in there.