Spetzi,
Are we related? Your post reads like something I would've written about myself. I am diagnosed and took meds when I was in law school. I stopped because they made my heart race. My dh says he saw a real difference in me when I was taking them though. I have often thought of going back to try strattera.

I in order for hsing to work for me, I had to make a lot of adjustments and be totally honest with myself about myself. I found that using a curriculum that is written to the student (independent) is the only thing that works for us consistently. I struggle with consistency. I also struggle with change, it throws me off! We currently use CLE for math and language arts for my youngest. My oldest uses CLE for math, meaningful composition and R&S spelling. They both do science at our weekly co-op. Last year, I did Sonlight history, but have been unable to get back into it this year. It's just too much for me right now.

I am thinking of adding CLE reading and history for them both as this method seems to work well. The kids are doing beautifully with CLE and it they don't depend totally on me. Again, I must be honest with myself and work with who I am. It can be done, but maybe not the same way as everyone else.

I, like another poster, can't get too involved in too many other things while school is going on. I tend to hyper-focus on things and don't realize how much time I'm spending on something. I tend to be aggravated when I'm hyper-focusing and someone interrupts me. So, I try not to do it. I have a real problem with saying no so I tend to over commit which causes more problems. I'm learning to not get involved in too many things so that won't happen.

I do have a set schedule for school (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri) but not necessarily scheduled times. We try to get started by 9:30 most days. We also school year around to make up for anything we may have missed.

I struggle with housework as well, though it is much better since I was diagnosed (knowledge really is power). I too use alarms on my cell to help me remember what I should be doing at what time. I also have a yahoo group dedicated solely to me that sends me emails of when to pay bills, etc. I didn't do well with schedules like Fly Lady either. I did set up the Sidetracked Home Executives box. The problem is that I forget to check it the schedules so they don't get used much. If anyone wants to partner up and be email buddies to hold each other accountable, I'd be interested. One thing that I do obsessively is check email, lol!!

Now with all the things I've said so far, I have to add that I don't see my ADD as a curse. Some of the characteristics of people with ADD I consider to be blessings. It is still a work in progress but I'm learning to love myself for who I am and to not measure myself against others. I am really thinking of using a cleaning service once a week to help get things done around the house. I know my family members will think that a total waste of money and call me lazy because I'm home all day, but I know my limitations. Also, I read the book "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Crazy or Stupid?" so I know I'm not LAZY!!

Sorry this is so long I'm just glad to hear there are more people like me out there!!

I have been diagnosed and even was on adderall 2 years ago.

Works for me:
-open and go curriculum as much as possible- ACE, Saxon, Abeka, etc. The more separate thingamabobs ( tm, flashcards, drillbooks, extra sheets, etc) the higher the chance of failure.
-self teaching ( I start to unravel and freak out when there are several things needing my attention)
- staying HOME
- lists- lists for each child, lists for cleaning, lists of stuff to take when going out,
- minimal distraction, no phone calls, no emails,etc.
-having things nearby to occupy my mind- (magazines, a book, etc.)

what doesn't work;
- hands on ( I get overwhelmed with the noise, mess,clutter, etc. And Lose it.)
- full curriculum- I just can't do them.

Anyway you can do it, you just have to take on less, be more of a listmaker, minimize distraction, and teach dc to self teach ASAP

I read good literature aloud to them - it works for me.

Calming Tea,
I just had to say, I thought it was just me with the thingamabobs, LOL!! I always tell people I can know automatically a curriculum won't work for me if it has 2 things - big, bulky TMs and lots of pieces!! That equals instant failure for me. Self teaching curriculums are also a must.

I just had to chime in on the "thingamabobs"! I even use that word, LOL!!

Alexas

Agreeing with you here! I have all the symptoms, youngest dd is the same. It helps me immensely that I have very self-motivated dc. They keep themselves on track when I can't!

Alexis that's so funny about the thingamabobs!

I feel great to know that you guys are out there! Now I'm sure I can ask for advice, etc.

LOL
add to the thingamabobs - weegies for the dumfuddies, you know, those 'other' things. LOL

alexasthom - I would be interested! I am working on making changes and have started but the accountability would be a big help. kbarrup at yahoo dot com

K

I know I already sent a long post, but I wanted to go back to something somebody said...... I have found that there are many wonderful things about me - ADD and all. That may be a no-brainer, but I always knew something just "wasn't right" and I felt bad about many failures in life because I was trying to do things in a way that wasn't suited to ME. When I finally started living life in a way that works FOR me instead of against me, I found freedom in my wandering mind. I am ultra creative, musical, funny, a great story-teller and many other things, too. I had to give myself a break and change my way of thinking. No, I don't do things like everybody else- but I'm wonderful the way I am. I even think that other people are going through life missing all the flowers that I'm always stopping to smell. Look- a butterfly!........

just another 2 cents worth...

Thank you so much for your advice. It is so good to know that I am not alone. My ADD seems give me more trouble to make and maintain a friend and say right words. I made so many mistakes of offending people because I speak without thinking. My daughter has few friends. I think that is because of me. What am I going to do?