Different is Nice, Until it Drives You Crazy

Some families have children that are different.

Actually, every child had difficult days.  Even children in perfect families.

(Here’s the secret – there are no perfect families).

Having a child with ADHD or autism brings challenges to your home and to your child’s school experience.

Autism and ADHD are known as invisible disabilities. 

• A child with autism has no outward sign of his disability. 

• A child with ADHD looks just like every other child.

Yet children with autism or ADHD can act different than the other children.  And this can cause confusion, frustration, and even anger in the adults around the child.

Here is what our expert Crystal has to say about taking a child with autism out in public.

“You wish you had a button that said, “My kid is not spoiled, my kid has autism. Give them some space!””

— Crystal Sanford, Autism Expert

Exploring Invisible Disabilities: ADHD & Autism is our short online video course geared to helping parents understand these two common invisible disabilities.

Two experts in education as well as ADHD and autism provide an understanding of both disabilities in a short video course. Only $24 will bring you to a peace of mind and understanding about your child and their disability.

Understanding invisible disabilities helps.

Curious?  Find out more about our Exploring Invisible Disabilities video course.

Be one of the first to buy this course before Friday May 17 and get a free 20 minute phone discovery session with one of our experts. 

PS. You may want to see our free chart first.

Mom is Always Right - Except When She's Not

Moms do make mistakes.

We look at this photo, and think,

What was she thinking???

But stop it.  You know you’ve done something like that.

• Like taking your timid child to the shark exhibit.

• Like making your kid go to school when they were sick.

• Like making your teen die of embarrassment just because a good song comes on.

Apart from making sure that they are safe, and have enough to eat and wear, a mother will face a thousand and one little challenges while trying to raise her kids right. 

Challenges that outsiders do not see.

I see a perfect family.

I also see

• the struggle to find everyone’s shoes

• the argument with the daughter who only wears princess dresses

• the child who is distracted by the lights

• the struggle to get teeth brushed and hair combed

• the meltdown about to happen

• and the teen who is dying of embarrassment

Quirky characteristics can be hidden from the outside world.  Your spouse who collects Russian space pins.  Your teen who is obsessed with Legos.  Your child who will only eat orange foods.  Your kid who is always fidgeting.

It can be difficult.  It can seem like you are all alone. 

You are not alone.  You are valuable to your family.  You are doing a good job.  You care.

Mothers matter.

You matter.

Just know that none of us are right all the time…

Things May Be a Little...Off

Have you ever entered a room, and felt that something was off? 

Did someone leave you a surprise?

Or did someone rearrange something? 

Does this make you happy….or worried?

Some people like to have things just so, and know it if you’ve made a change.

It does kinda make sense….

Have you ever shared a photo, and then realized something was off?

Maybe there was something awkward in the background. Maybe someone photo bombed you.

Creepy!

Maybe something happened that you didn’t expect.

We can get upset. Or fussy. Or, we can choose be grateful.  And choose to laugh, even if we know we will be the one to clean up.

Breakfast in bed ….almost!

We can simply appreciate that sometimes we are a little ‘off’ ourselves.

We hope you had a nice, spill-free Mother’s Day!

Restaurant #4: When to Break a Rule

We shouldn’t have gone to this restaurant.

There are five of them in our county, and one in the county just north of us.  By our own definition, that makes it a chain. If there were only four of them, we would have been fine, but we still went.

So, if our Cuisine Quest is to visit every non-chain restaurant in our town, and the list is very long, why did we waste our time on a restaurant that should have not been on our list?

Soccer.  Or, football.  Depends on where you’re from.

You see, we are soccer fans in America without cable TV.  So, unless we invite ourselves to someone’s house to watch the game, we have to go to a restaurant to watch.

The best restaurant we’ve found that our whole family can watch soccer is a chicken wings chain restaurant the next town over.

That restaurant is the only place I’ve ever eaten wings.  During FIFA World Cup, and during the Summer Olympics, we eat a lot of wings.

That is why I broke our rule and visited a border-line chain restaurant.  I wanted to know what chicken wings were like at other restaurants.

My husband refused to order wings. His salad turned out to be really tasty!

It looks and tastes the same as at our usual wings restaurant. But the bread sticks are amazing!

Would we go again? Yes, for the food. Two forks up. Will we go again? Not during soccer season!

Is it ok to break a rule just because I want to?  There are many reasons for rules.

• Courtesy – open the door for someone with their arms full.

• Law and order – don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you.

• Social behavior – look at the person, not your phone, when they are talking with you.

• Business – If it’s not necessary to ‘reply all’, don’t.

• Health – don’t start smoking.

• Family – ask first before borrowing.

• The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them to unto you.

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Avengers: Endgame - Are You A Fan?

Yes. Yes, I am.

I’ve seen all the movies. But I’m not an expert. Some characters I don’t remember (in the last Avengers movie, who is that red guy, and why is everyone sad when he dies?)

If you are a casual fan, as I am, here is my advice if you are one of the few people in America who haven’t seen the movie yet.

1. Watch this Avengers story recap video.

   Some people will watch all the movies again before this one. But that is 21 movies! Instead, just watch this well done recap video.

2. See Avengers: Endgame in a crowded theater.

There is nothing better than seeing a movie in a room full of fans. They will ooh and ah. They will laugh. They will cry. They will cheer. You will, too.

3. After watching Avengers: Endgame, watch this video to understand all the things you missed.

It’s a long movie, and a gift to fans. This excellent video helps you get all the references and connections you may have not caught.

Fun movie!

What other movies are better when you watch with fans?

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I Will Survive

Some songs make you cry.

Some songs remind you of days gone by.

Some songs make you grin and tap your toes. And sing along.

“At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
And so you’re back
From outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock, I should have made you leave your key
If I’d known for just one second you’d be back to bother me
Go on now, go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
’Cause you’re not welcome anymore
Weren’t you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
Do you think I’d crumble
Did you think I’d lay down and die?
Oh no, not I, I will survive.”

— Gloria Gaynor, 1979

Great songs get copied and covered and used for movies, TV, and even commercials.

This first example is by The Puppini Sisters, a contemporary group who sing in a 1940’-style three part harmony. I have it on my swing dance playlist!

Here are three examples of I Will Survive used in movies. The first one is from a funny-touching football movie from 2000. The other two, from an animated movie and an Australian movie, I haven’t seen, but are fun in the way they adapt the song to fit the movie.

In case you need more, here is Gloria Gaynor herself singing her song I Will Survive.

What other songs are great as the original and also the copies?

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Life Achievements Often Require Compromises - Is That OK?

Amelia Earhart had many firsts.

You probably know her as the first woman to fly across the Atlantic.

There is more to the story.

She wasn’t the pilot.

It was 1928, one year after Charles Lindbergh flew solo from New York to Paris. Several women were striving to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Planes were expensive, and unreliable in the early days of flight, so the one with the money and the courage got the first chance.

Powerful book publisher George P. Putnam put a team together, including pilot Wilmer Stultz and mechanic Louis Gordon. Amelia’s job was to be the flight recorder, and write a book about her experience. The plane took off from Newfoundland June 17, 1928, and successfully landed in South Wales over 20 hours later.

“Stultz did all the flying - had to. I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes.”

— Amelia Earhart

But Amelia’s big contribution was her country-wide book tour, publicized by the same George P. Putnam. Amelia’s goal was to make flying available to everyone, even women. She even became the Aviation Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine!

Her tireless campaign for women to fly, along with several other passionate women pilots, led to the formation of The Nintey-Nines, an organization of licensed women pilots.

Was Amelia Earhart’s famous flight across the Atlantic, when she was only a passenger, a compromise?

Yes.

Did this compromise diminish her achievement?

No.

There were around 200 licensed women pilots in the USA in 1928. By 1935, that number flew to over 700!

Way to go, Amelia!

Amelia went on to set many flight records on her own.

• October 1922 broke women’s altitude record

• June 1928 first woman to fly (as passenger) across Atlantic Ocean

• June 1930 broke women’s speed record

• April 1931 set women’s autogiro (like a helicopter/air baloon) altitude record

• May 1932 first woman to fly solo across Atlantic Ocean - she did it!

• August 1932 first woman to fly solo across the USA nonstop

• January 1935 first person, man or woman, to fly solo from Hawaii to California

• April 1935 first person, man or woman, to fly solo nonstop from Mexico City to New Jersey

Here is a lovely biography of Amelia by Katie Teekell.

Remember I said planes were expensive and unreliable? It took someone with money and with courage to attempt the flying records that Amelia did.

She had the courage.

How did she get the money?

She married her publisher.

George P. Putnam promoted Amelia. But he also pursued her. After his divorce in 1929, he asked her to marry him six times before she finally agreed in 1931.

But she seemed to be indebted to George, instead of in love with George. She seemed to marry him out of obligation and gratitude for the opportunities he provided for her.

How do we know? She wrote him a letter on the day of their wedding.

There are some things which should be writ before we are married -- things we have talked over before -- most of them. 

You must know again my reluctance to marry, my feeling that I shatter thereby chances in work which means most to me. I feel the move just now as foolish as anything I could do. I know there may be compensations but have no heart to look ahead. 

On our life together I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly. If we can be honest I think the difficulties which arise may best be avoided should you or I become interested deeply (or in passing) in anyone else.

Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play, nor let the world see our private joys or disagreements. In this connection I may have to keep some place where I can go to be myself, now and then, for I cannot guarantee to endure at all times the confinements of even an attractive cage. 

I must exact a cruel promise and that is you will let me go in a year if we find no happiness together.

I will try to do my best in every way and give you that part of me you know and seem to want.

Was Amelia Earhart’s marriage to her publicist a compromise?

Yes.

Did this compromise diminish her achievement?

No.

Learn everything you wanted to know about early aviation in Keith O’Brien’s amazing book Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History

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Fast Food Recycling

You know you eat out. Don’t deny it! Let’s talk fast food recycling!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This slogan has been around since the 1970’s, and most Americans believe it is a responsible way to live.

But recycling isn’t working.  China used to take 40% of our recycling, but stopped in 2018. Instead, 25% of paper and plastic and metal in the US is ending up buried or burned because it is too contaminated to be worth recycling. Only 9% of all the plastic produced in the past 70 years has been recycled.

We could make laws or new taxes. Instead, let’s focus on what we can do today to reduce our waste in a small area of our lives:  eating out.

Let’s talk about fast food.

On a given day, 36% of Americans eat fast food.  80% of adults eat fast food at least once a week.

You know you’ve eaten out this week…

Next time you eat fast food, take these five steps to reduce your plastic, aluminum and paper waste. (Credit and gratitude goes to my friend Emily for inspiring my change in viewooint.)

1. Bring your own beverage container. 

Drink cups made of waxed paper or Styrofoam cannot be recycled.  The plastic lids and plastic straws also go directly to the landfill.  Any fast food restaurant with a self-serve soda fountain will allow you to use your own drink cup.  Just pay for a large drink and show your drink cup to the teenager taking your money.

Happy fast food teen workers.

It looks delicious. But look at all that plastic that will go straight to the landfill.

2. Condiments use a lot of plastic that cannot be recycled.

If you’re eating Mexican and there is a salsa bar, bring your own small container that you use, clean when you get home, then again.  The same goes for pump ketchup. 

If the restaurant has individual ketchup or salad dressings packets that will end up in the landfill, bring some ketchup or dressing from home in your reusable container.  I know that sounds hard core, but think of the millions of plastic ketchup packets that get thrown away every single day.

Instead of snacks, use these containers to bring your own ketchup or salad dressing.

3. You can’t bring your own container to have a salad made.

Salads are typically made in advance and stored in individual plastic containers, which cannot be recycled.  You can choose to eat at fast food restaurants that put their salads in paper bowls with aluminum lids.  You will have to bring the aluminum lid home to wash and put in your own recycling, because dirty aluminum in the restaurant trash will not be recycled.

Delicious and better for the environment! I’ve only found paper bowls for salads at Chipotle and Rubio’s. Rubio’s uses a plastic lid, however. That means Chipotle wins with it’s paper bowl and aluminum lid.

4. Plastic forks.

You can buy a set of camping silverware that you bring and wash after each use.  If you are stuck using plastic silverware, at least bring it home, toss it in your dishwasher, and use it over and over.

Just don’t forget it’s in your purse when you head to the airport…

5. Paper is the most challenging.

Paper receipts and the waxed paper that holds sandwiches cannot be recycled. You have no choice but to throw them into the landfill. Paper boxes or bags or plates or napkins with food and grease stains cannot be recycled either.  What should you do with your dirty paper trash?  Right now your best option is to take it with you the next time you go to a bonfire.

Yes, my marshmallow is on fire. I like it that way!

You may look silly bringing your own containers.  You may feel odd bringing your paper trash or aluminum recycling or plastic fork home with you.

Make this a habit, and two things will happen.  Other people will see and perhaps decide to join in your efforts to reduce waste.  And two, by reducing your contribution to landfills, you can eat fast food guilt free!

Almost…

You should join Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a club that guides members to improve their public speaking. Here I am giving this blog posting as a speech, pretending I’m doing an editorial newscast. I’m not perfect, but I am improving!

(If you are already a Toastmaster, do you hear the Word of the Day that I say in the first few sentences of my speech?)

Word of the Day = ubiquitous. Existing or being everywhere (adjective).

Are you hungry yet? What steps will you reasonably take to cut back on your waste when you eat fast food?

(Or did I mean ‘waist’?)

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How to Get Your Child to Do What You Want

Lists can help a child manage tasks. Here are some tips for success!

We have many more ways to support you on your ADHD or autism journey.

“No obligation. No judgement. Just hope for your parenting journey.”

My Child is Not Spoiled

Some people just can’t keep their opinions to themselves.

You don’t know what she’s thinking about you, but it can’t be good!

When you are out in public with your child, and your child throws a tantrum, everyone is suddenly an expert. Really, they are a critic.

Dads can really be the target of unkind words from strangers when their child misbehaves.

It can be worse when you child has an invisible disability such as autism or ADHD.

Our expert Crystal says

As a parent you are always thinking, “What are people thinking when my child tantrums?” Because they are going to tantrum about something.

Watch this 1 minute 44 second video where Crystal explains what it is like for parents when their child has a meltdown in public.

Our experts Crystal and Cindi want to help you with your child’s journey through autism or ADHD.

No judgement.

No obligation.

Just hope for your child.

It's the First Day of Spring!

Does it feel like you are still trapped in winter?

Spring means different things, depending on where you are in the world!

Extreme weather can be exciting - from the warm safety of our homes!

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If Momma Ain't Happy...

Marriage can be strained by a child with disabilities.

To be fair, no one looked happy in old time photos. I’m sure she was a lovely lady in person.

When a child is struggling, parents struggle, too.

• What is the best way to help our child?

• Who is right?

• Why is the teacher always calling me at work?

Sometimes, we blame ourselves.

Sometimes, we blame each other.

Don’t worry. This is a stock photo, and the parents are just acting. So is that adorable boy.

It is even worse when the school professionals are telling you stuff about your child that you disagree with.

Watch our expert Cindi explain your rights as a parent in this 50 second video.

We know you have the best interest of your child at heart. We know you love your partner, and wish it would get easier.

We know.

We've been there.

That's why we have created a variety of resources to help families just like yours.

No obligation.

No judgement.

Just support for your ADHD and autism journey.

We believe in you and are cheering you on. Let us know if you have any questions.

Hurricane Heist: Just Enjoy the Ride

You either loved this movie when it came out in the theater, or you will love this movie after watching it on Netflix.

The Hurricane Heist (2018: PG-13) tagline: $600 million stolen at 600 miles per hour. See what I mean? This is a fun action movie set in the middle of a natural disaster.

Don’t complain about the unknown actors. You may not recognize anyone in the film, but all are good actors who are having fun playing their good guy or bad guy roll. Or are they the good guy???

Ryan Kwanten and Toby Kebbell play brothers who band together to stop the bad guys, even if they don’t look related at all.

When you need your computer fixed, the tech people can wear whatever they want, so don’t complain about that, either.

Who says computer geeks need to dress like nerds? Ed Birch and Melissa Bolona dress for the storm.

Heros need to hydrate. And eat. And go to the bathroom. It always annoys me when action stars spend the entire movie fighting and running and never drink anything except alcohol. See our heroes taking care of their basic needs, in addition to taking care of the bad guys.

The storm is the star of the movie.

The fancy storm chaser car The Dominator is also one of the stars of the movie.

I could include links to complaints by meteorologists about the accuracy of the movie. But I wont. IT’S A MOVIE! Just relax and enjoy itl

Watch this movie trailer. If you find yourself grinning, you will like this movie.

Fun movie!

What are some movies you like that people just need to stop complaining and just enjoy the ride?

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Restaurant #3: How Do You Eat An Elephant?

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

How do you break a bad habit?

One day at a time.

How do you eat at every restaurant in your town?

One street at a time.

Some things in life are overwhelming.  School, work, family, finances.  How do you handle it?

1. Step back

2. Take a deep breath

3. Break down the situation into small parts that you can tackle one at a time.

For our Cuisine Quest to eat at every restaurant in our town, I was feeling overwhelmed, until I looked at the small picture.  I looked at one street.

This one-mile-long stretch has strip malls, auto repair shops, a church, apartments, businesses, and 12 restaurants!

There are chain restaurants: El Torrito, Starbucks, Subway, El Pollo Loco, and Yum Yum Donuts.  That’s 5 restaurants we can skip.

There is one catering place that is open for lunch, and one pancake house that isn’t open for dinner.  That’s 2 restaurants we can skip.

That leaves 5 more restaurants that we are supposed to eat at.  Restaurant #1 and #2 are on this street, so we already checked them off the list.

Only 3 restaurants left!  That is very manageable!

Restaurant #3 is a “pizza and grill”.  It seems to be mostly for takeout, but they do have a nice small dining area in front of the order counter, with tablecloths and a TV to watch the game.

I assumed they would basically have pizza and a few sides.  But they have an extensive menu of sandwiches, pastas, salads, and sides.  It was hard to choose, so we went with their recommendations.

A simple salad came with the dinner.

The garlic bread was also included, and perfectly tender and had good flavor.

The chef recommended his cheese steak. The photo isn’t attractive, but in my husband’s expert opinion, the sandwich was tasty!

Would we come back again?  We have to, so we can try their pizza!  But, even though the dining area was pleasant, we would probably get it to go. Two forks up!

When you feel overwhelmed, how do you break a big situation into small steps?

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Partner Costumes for an Unwilling Partner

I enjoy making and wearing costumes.

Historical. 1890’s and 1790’s.

Cosplay. Get it? I’m Olaf the Snowman!

Halloween. What does the fox say?

My now college-aged daughters grew up wearing homemade costumes, and now create them for themselves.

My husband, on the other hand, does not like dressing in costume. In fact, I cannot show you the photos of him in his Hunger Games costume.

Hunger Games cosplay. We look good, my husband looks miserable (so I edited him out).

In this video lesson, I show how to create one example of a partner costume, for when your partner is unwilling.

What is the issue? Being comfortable? Looking unusual? Both of these issues go away when you dress up as the American Gothic painting!

What are some other ideas for partner costumes with an unwilling partner?

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Wishing Your Child Better Doesn't Work

Your child has ADHD.  Or autism.  The diagnosis isn’t a death sentence, but some of the wishes you have for your family are dying.

• You wish you could go to family activities without Aunt Margaret criticizing your child’s behavior.

• You wish your child could finish school projects without last minute drama.

• You wish the teacher would like your child.

• You wish you had peace in your home.

Teacher scolding child.

Do you feel stuck?  Do you avoid certain people because they make you feel like a bad parent?  Do you feel you have done all you can, yet school is still awful?

Maybe you can just try harder.

Oh, please. 

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

STOP.  JUST STOP.

Make a better choice.

We have created our ADHD Parent Master Course:  Knowledge is Power to help you.  To make a difference in your child’s life.  To make a difference in your family.

Simply watch our 11 video lessons along with over 30 brief expert answers to questions parents are often unwilling to ask.

You are busy. Everyone is busy. This video course is like having access to experts whenever you want!

Binge watch the course.  Or listen to it as you would an audiobook.  Or watch a little at a time.  Owning the course gives you unlimited access to Crystal and Cindi on your own schedule.

With this course, you will get answers you need.

• What ADHD is,

• How to navigate school for your child with ADHD,

• Where you can get help.

Knowledge is power! 

Instead of wishing things could get better for your child, you are taking action.

Instead of trying the same thing over and over, you will understand your child, and know what to do.

Imagine having these benefits:

• You will save your sanity once you learn exactly how ADHD truly is a brain-based disorder. 

• You will save thousands of dollars on advocate and attorney fees. You will be able to navigate the school system like a pro!

• You will save hours of your limited time because you will know where you can get the help you need for your child.

It’s time to decide.

Join now!

PS. if you have questions, see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our product page.

Do You Wish You Felt Special?

You are special.  You are talented.  You are smart. You are creative.  You are thoughtful.  You are hard working. You are brave.

While we’re at it, let’s add: You are good looking!

Bloody faced boy

If someone said that to us, it would warm our hearts. 

Sometimes, we do get to hear words of affirmation.

Sometime, it feels like days go by with only complaints and demands reaching our ears.

It is too easy to focus on the negative.  Let’s choose to see the bright side of life.

Maybe today you will have someone make you feel special.

Maybe today it will fall on you to make other people feel special.

If that is the case, know that YOU ARE APPRECIATED.  Even if it doesn’t feel like it.  You are valuable and you are important.

You are special strawberries

Think of your child with ADHD or autism.  How often do they see frowny faces or frustrated faces?

Our ADHD Parent Master Course:  Knowledge is Power can help.

You are busy.  Do you really need to add watching an online video course to your to-do list?

• Yes.  Take this seriously.  Our ADHD Parent Master Course: Knowledge is Power is based on decades of experience helping people live in harmony with ADHD, not in conflict with ADHD.

You are busy. 

• Did you know you can listen to the videos while you go about your day?  Think of them as a podcast or audio book.

• And you can start and stop the program at any time, taking it up again when you have time.

If you are facing autism or other disabilities, we have resources for you, also, right here.

Crystal helping clients

Cindi helping clients

If we sat down with you for an hour or two, we could help you understand that ADHD is a brain-based disorder, teach you how to navigate school for your child with ADHD, and guide you to accessible resources to help.  We wish we could sit down with each and every one of you.  If you are in San Diego, please reach out for an appointment.

But since we can’t meet individually with everyone we wish to help, we created this ADHD Master Course:  Knowledge is Power.  We recommend you join.  Your peace of mind is worth the price!

When Wishes Backfire

Do you get jealous when someone’s wish is granted?  Just a little?

Why can’t I be one of the richest couples in the world?

Melinda & Bill Gates

Why can’t Marie Kondo come to my house to make it life-changing-ly tidy?

Why can’t my baby be as adorable as hers?

Adorable baby girl

You don’t have to tell us.  But as much as we strive to be positive and encouraging, sometimes it pinches just a little when someone else gets their wish.

So today let’s look at some wishes that turned out to be bad news.

Wish-failure.

Golden apple - pretty, but not edible!

Wish-failure:  King Midas.

Everything he touches turns to gold.  That’s a great thing, until he gets hungry.  Until his precious daughter gives him a kiss on the cheek.

A solid gold daughter.

Bummer.

Beach Boys album

Wish-failure:  The Beach Boys singing, “I wish they all could be California girls.” 

(This is too well written for us to do anything but copy directly from the clever blog post “Wishes that Backfire” by writer suesspiciousminds.)

Take the Beach Boys lyric - of course any girl could be a California girl, simply by moving to California. Every female would become a "California girl", probably wrecking the local infrastructure and irretrievable breaking the San Andreas fault, and sending their beloved State into the ocean.

There are now no girls in China, India, or Brazil, or anywhere else. This leaves the population of those places to riot, cease work, and eventually die out, and there's no production of any of the world's vital resources, because every female living on the planet is in California, who will now have no chocolate, or coffee, or alcohol, or rice, or meat. Life in California will be crowded, and bereft of life's essentials. Everywhere else would be half-empty and bereft of life's essentials. Let us hope that none of the Beach Boys ever come across a genie in a bottle.

As true California girls, we're pleading with you. Don't let this happen!

California girls and boys.

Wish-Failure:  Sick Days

Have you ever sent your kid to school, hoping they weren’t really sick?  Did you regret it?

Yes.  And yes.

We miss Calvin & Hobbs!

Wish-Failure:  Pets are Good For Us

You wish you had a pet, then your husband brings home a wild and crazy kitten. Or worse.

True story.

Wild snake in man’s hand

Wish-Failure:  Time for Friends

You wish you had time to reconnect with old friends, and once you do, you remember why you lost touch to begin with.

Sad, but true.

Bored women.

Wishing and yearning is all well and good.  Striving to better ourselves is the American way. 

Just remember to be gracious towards others who get their wish.  It could be you.

It could be better it’s not you!

Woman with large snake.

PS.   We wish good days for you and your child with ADHD. We want to help!  Our video course is like having access to your own expert any time you want! Please click today to join our ADHD Master Course:  Knowledge is Power.  All the details are here.  If you are experiencing autism, we have help here, too.

List-Makers Rule the World!

October 30 is National Checklist Day.  Honest!

Extreme workout checklist. Whew!

Just kidding.  That’s HIS checklist, not ours.

Some of you are list-makers.

• Do you keep a list of movies you want to watch, books you want to read, restaurants you want to try?

• Do you start off the new year with a list of goals?

• Do you have a list of chores for each member of your family?

And the ultimate sign you are a list maker:

• Do you ever get something done, then go back and write it on your To-Do List, just so you can cross it off?

Lovely list-maker

A to-do list is like a wish list, except you are more likely to do the things on your to-do list.

A wish list is like those New Year’s resolutions.  “I wish I could lose weight.”  “I wish I could put more money in savings.”

Wishful thinking.

Yet to-do lists seem to compel us to take action.

Hooray!

Taking action is a good thing! (Unless robbing a bank is on your To-Do list).

Bank robber silhouette.

What about our children?  Can we make to-do lists for them?

A chore chart is a to-do list. 

GO TO SCHOOL LIST

• Eat breakfast

• Get dressed

• Brush teeth & hair

• Put on socks and shoes

• Get backpack

• Get lunch

Beautiful school morning!

Easy, right?  Mornings should be a breeze!

We wish!

Watch this 38 second video to see what our expert says about to-do lists.

Our children need our help.  Even more so if they are affected by ADHD or autism or other disabilities.

A list could help.

“Remember, they need to keep it short,” says our expert Cindi.

You can’t wish away ADHD.  But there is hope for your child with ADHD. Here are some list-making strategies that parents find helpful:

• Making a list is a great form of mental rehearsal, of going through the tasks and goals of the day. As you help your child make a list, talk about each step so they can visualize doing it.

• Many kids with ADHD have poor handwriting due to problems with fine motor coordination.  Writing and talking through the list is more important the reading the list.  Writing on ‘special’ paper, such as sticky notes or official planning paper or even a tablet, can help.

• Keep the list short; three items is a good list. Watch for when your child gets frustrated with an item on the list and help them change the failure message.  Be their cheerleader!

You are a resourceful parent. Do you use special paper for your child’s to-do lists?  What have you found works for to-do lists? How will you be your child’s cheerleader today?  Let us know so we can share with other parents just like you.

Every day should be Valentine’s Day!

PS.  This is just a small example of the benefit we have in ADHD Parent Master Course:  Knowledge is Power.  Learn more here. Join us! And if you’re experiencing autism, see our other resources here.

We Have What You Need to Make Your Wish for Your Child Come True

We’ve been sharing (and laughing a bit) about wishes.

• Dead people’s wishes.

• New Year’s Resolution wishes.

• Food wishes.

We all have wishes for ourselves, our families, and for our children.

Some families are dealing with a diagnosis of ADHD or autism.  We wish to help make your family’s journey smoother.

Happy jumping boy

Today we’re excited to announce our ADHD Parent Master Course:  Knowledge is Power!

We created this course because we see so many parents struggling. 

• What’s wrong with my son?  Why can’t he act like other people’s kids?

• How come the teacher is always sending my child to detention? 

• Where can I get answers?  What is the solution to fix my child?

ADHD is real.  ADHD is caused by differences in the brain.  Not by differences in thoughts or dreams.  By biological differences. Differences your child was born with.

Does that sound like your child is condemned to be an outcast?  Someone who only can relate to others by fighting or through video games?  Someone who will never hold down a job?

Will they ever be able to live on their own?

Will anyone love them?

PLEASE?

Frustrated parents

We wish for the best for our children.  We wish for them to learn and grow into successful, happy adults.  Adults who have their own families and careers.  And who call home occasionally!

We can help you now, when your child is young. Now is the time to take the first step in the right direction.

Get ready to refocus your child’s bright, yet unfocused, mind!

Our ADHD Parent Master Course:  Knowledge is Power online video course was created by us.  If you join, by the end of this ADHD Parent Master Course, you will have the three pillars of knowledge.  You will know

1. What ADHD is,

2. How to navigate school for your child with ADHD,

3. Where you can get help.

Knowledge is power! 

Instead of wishing things could get better for your child, you are taking action.

I wish…

Imagine having these benefits:

1. You will save your sanity once you learn exactly how ADHD truly is a brain-based disorder. 

2. You will save thousands of dollars on advocate and attorney fees. You will be able to navigate the school system like a pro!

3. You will save hours of your limited time because you will know where you can get the help you need for your child.

You have good days.  You have bad days. 

Do you ever wish you had more good days?  That the bad days wouldn’t be so rough?

Are you doing well with your child at home and at school, just to have a set back? 

• A tantrum at the grocery store?

• A stern email from the teacher?

• Another tardy because he couldn’t get dressed on time?

• A lecture from your nosey neighbor on how they raised their children right?

Teacher scolding a child

Are you tired of the endless struggle?

Watching our 11 video lessons and over 30 short expert answer videos will give you the tools you need to guide your child to their best life.

If you are facing autism or another disability, you can simply click here to see our other resources.

Our ADHD Master Course:  Knowledge is Power is worth your peace of mind.

Learn more.

Mischievous boy in class

PS.  We want to show you what’s possible for you and your child.  But you DO need to act today.  Your child and your sanity is worth it!  All the details are here.  If you are experiencing autism or another disability, click here to see our other resources.