A Whiny One

Sorry - A Whiny Post

Not fun to read, but necessary for my sanity.

The fact that Daniel has ADHD weighs on Don and me, sometimes more than others. Lack of sleep or consistent routine aggravates the condition, meaning we have to run a tight ship, whether we want to or not. It isn't always understood by family, and is sometimes even judged, when we have to say no to some experiences, such as late-night bonfires. The kids are already up later than usual due to Sunday night church. And now that fireflies are out, we have to allow at least one night a week for that, through July. Wouldn't you know, the recent bonfire invitation was last minute, and came the day after the boys stayed up late catching their beloved fireflies?

Although aggravating and challenging, even when all experiences seem equally important, we have to set limits. Both boys need 11 hours of sleep. People, there's hell to pay when they don't get it. I've read articles indicating doctors would rather parents choose adequate sleep over nighttime experiences, at least in the younger years. Children can't learn and grow properly when they're sleep deprived. It's discouraging, but I've read that even teenagers need a full ten hours of sleep, so the dilemma won't quickly go away. Sigh. At the very least, teenagers might have the sense to sleep in when they're overtired. My boys? Uh, no. That would be too easy. They get up even EARLIER when they're tired.

It feels lonely to be judged, let me tell you. I'm seasoned enough to realize that unless someone walks in my shoes, they can't really make legitimate judgments. Taking unfair judgment like a grain of salt, though, is easier said than done. Really, just having a lot of kids close in age means you have to run a tighter ship, in the interest of every one's sanity. But how would that be known by parents of two children, eight years apart? Or to parents of more subdued kids who, even when tired or excited, rarely raise their voices, or exert their independence?

Okay. I think I'm done whining now. There are parents out there praying for their children's very lives, so this is small stuff. Like those given heavier burdens, we can't argue with our All-Knowing, Loving Creator, about why our son has some minor (but really not minor) disorder. The Lord knows what we need. He knows what we can handle. He provides the grace we need to finish the race. He knows our hearts like no one else can. He is the only true judge. If we remain open to his leading, we can't go wrong.