Struggling with my grandson

[firedancer64]

I am raising my 8 year old grandson who has Sickle Cell Disease as his mom (my 40 y/o daughter) is intellectually disabled. I homeschool him but it’s extremely stressful and challenging for me as he has ADHD & we both get very frustrated during our short sessions. The constant fidgeting, refusal or inability to focus and cooperate… ugh 😩..& with me having Bipolar Disorder 2, I’m at a total loss and feel as if I’m failing him. He triggers me a lot!.

I’m trying my best to be creative with ways to teach him (spending a lot of time and money on his programs and supplies).. I give him plenty of breaks, but everyday is a battle! Anyone have any advice, tips or suggestions? I’m open for any help!

Thank you 🙏🏽

[Knitting20projects]

Can he see a psychiatrist for a good diagnostic evaluation and medication management consultation? He would probably benefit from being in a public school setting with at least a 504 plan. I say this both for him and to ensure you protect your own mental health with some built in respite time while he’s at school. The challenge I’ve seen with homeschooling is that families sometimes tiptoe and accommodate the symptoms so much that these kids don’t build executive functioning skills. I’m not saying that to be critical. I just mean you’re taking on a very difficult job. And he probably deserves a careful psychiatric evaluation. Plus, he could have a trauma history from the medical interventions many kids with sickle cell need. And I would be absolutely he is not at risk for genetic conditions because your daughter has an intellectual disability (eg Fragile X syndrome, etc). Big hugs to you—-you sound like a wonderful, loving grandma and mom to your daughter.

[Onthemove1971]

I am so sorry it is so stressful for you. I am not sure what state you are in.

Could I make a few suggestions?

1.. Get him enrolled in a homeschool program where they have a teacher to teaches him. He can join other kids like himself attending classes. Then you can manage the other activities like PE, art, etc.

2. Connect with othe families that homeschooling and share resources.

3. Look for creative ways to teach. Do a swap with othe families. You do art they do PE.

4. Try to get time away for yourself. So you get a break.

Hope this helps.