A Melatonin Testimony

Hi everyone! I am very excited to share this post with you! Use wisdom but don't operate out of fear, special Moms!

     A couple years ago I was desperate for suggestions on helping Noah get to sleep (and stay asleep) at night. I sought the help of one of Noah's specialist that treat kids with Autism and he told me of other families that had a lot of success using melatonin and highly recommended it. I was more than skeptical. I didn't really know what it was, how it worked, or anyone else who used it... and to be honest, it kinda sounded way too easy.

 

What is Melatonin? <----Learn more

     More time passed, and bedtime was becoming more and more of a battle. I seriously HATED BEDTIME. HATED. IT. I would dread it every night... My mood would go from "positive" and "upbeat" to "someone shoot me" as the sun went down on a seemingly rapid pace. It was like a bad movie appropriately titled: 

Groundhog Day: Mommy's Personal Hell.

     Every night my children turned into sun downers on speed and I was exhausted by just knowing what was coming my way. 

Noah is over stimulated. 

Lydia is overly tired and crying. 

Sophia keeps leaving the room. 

I can't seem to make Roman happy. 

1 hour. 

2 hours.

3 HOURS (!!!!!) 

sometimes went by.... 

And just when I thought I had won the battle,  Noah would wake up a few short hours later, READY and EAGER to start his day. 

     It may sound funny, but really was clinically exhausting. I was not getting the sleep I needed, nor were they. Every morning the boys were starting their school day stressed out, tired and emotional. I hated it and something had to change.

     Over the last couple years I was learning and becoming more and more comfortable with using essential oils, pro-biotics, herbs and vitamins. But for some reason I was STILL nervous about this melatonin thing. Maybe it was because it was a sleep aid and I was fearful that I would give them too much and GOD FORBID! **FYI, that has never been reported as happening** But honestly, looking back, I know this ridiculous fear came from the pit of hell to keep me exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed!<---RealTalk

     I decided to seek the opinions of fellow Moms on Facebook- and immediately assumed they would judge me or have nothing positive to say. And that was if I was lucky enough to know ANY ONE who would do such a thing to their child(ren)! 

Wow... was I SHOCKED. 

I received overwhelming and POSITIVE responses from 20+ Mom's who's child(ren) regularly use it and had been for years!

     I was ready to give it a go. I called Noah's Doctor and the nurse explained to me how to use it and how to find the appropriate dosage. I bought the recommended type based on Noah's sensory issues- liquid instead of sub-lingual, and a higher potency so there's less to ingest. I purchased it at our local drug store, and have continued to use the same brand ever since. It took a couple weeks of adjusting the time administered and dosage to make it work effectively. Every night got easier, and easier, AND EASIER. Before long it happened. it really happened... A NIGHT TIME ROUTINE. 

It was like a MIRACLE. 

            ^These cards are funny!^

     A few days into our new routine I was successful in taking their TV out of their bedrooms. A week or two after that I was removing sippy cups at night with out a fight. These were 2 things that caused a lot of obsessive behaviors and frustrations at night for Noah, and were a distraction to the other 3 as well! Its been over 2 months now, with absolutely no issues, problems or concerns. Their sleep patterns have been better established. The two girls no longer need to take it every night, yet if we have a couple nights activities that disrupt our routine, one dose gets them right back on schedule. Everyone is waking up well rested and that makes a big difference in their behavior at home and performance at school. Can we say "No more stimming at bedtime?!" Thank you, Jesus!

More Evidence that Melatonin Eases Autism Associated Insomnia

 ^Learn More^

     Our time together in the evening is now my favorite part of the day. Instead of yelling and tears, there's reading bedtime stories and saying night time prayers -and I'm not having to bribe or threaten anyone in the process! It's so fulfilling in fact that I understand why the devil would  mess with me for so long in regards to using melatonin! 

     So again, use wisdom but don't operate out of fear, special moms! Here's to a good nights sleep!

**Not all children are able to take melatonin (like those with respiratory issues and some heart defects) as well as many other supplements and dietary aids. So ALWAYS discuss with your child's doctor first!** 

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Long time no blog....
It would be nice if I was able to blog in real time. Maybe one day I will get there, but I don't see that day coming anytime soon. But that's ok. I'm happy to share when I can.
So summer is here and in full swing!!! My food bill has doubled thanks to these ever growing boys being home all day. I think a few more grey hairs have sprouted in the last few weeks with trying to keep up with all the kids, work part-time and not let my house collapse. We are a third of the way in and so far SUCCESS. (Shh... don't tell anyone but I am SO READY for school to start again!)

The week before spring break Noah's school held Teacher Appreciation Week. Romans school was doing "Sensational Teachers" and then a light bulb went off for Noah's class:

There are 5 senses and 5 days of the school week so this works perfectly! Each day of the week we focused on a different sense. I sent home to the parents the below examples of how to participate.
Here's what I came up with:

Monday: SIGHT
Let your teachers "see" how much they mean to you!
Suggestions
Have your child draw your teacher a picture of them together.
Have them write a letter telling their teacher how awesome they are.
Give your teacher a picture of you together for them to look at remember.
Optional
Buy you teacher your favorite book to add to their classroom. You can sign your name inside.
A gift card to a book store.

Tuesday: HEAR
Let your teacher "hear" how wonderful they are!
Suggestions
Tell you teacher how much they mean to you by saying a big Thank You.
Give them a singing/talking thank you card.
Optional
A book or stuffed animal that records your child's voice.
A gift card for iTunes or music store.

Wednesday: TOUCH
Let your teachers know how much they have "touched" you heart!
Suggestions
Give your teacher a big hug today.
PARENTS can make their child's teacher a list of all the ways they have touched their child's life.
Optional
A bottle of lotion, a soft blanket or a fuzzy stuffed animal.
A gift card to a nail salon or for a massage.

Thursday: SMELL
Let your teachers stop and "smell" the roses!
Suggestions
Pick some flowers to give to your teacher.
Buy her a single red rose.
Color her a picture in smelly markers or crayons.
Optional
A candle or body spray.
A gift card to a place similar to Bath & Body

Friday: TASTE
Let you teacher enjoy a tasty treat for all their hard work!
Suggestions
Bring in a treat for your teacher, or maybe even the whole class.
Optional
A gift card to Starbucks or a local coffee shop.
A gift card to your teachers favorite restaurant.

Here's just a few suggestions to help you long the way, should you choose to try this in your child's class:
Be sure all your families know about the weeks activities, that they are to be in a certain order and focused on one at a time.
If you are emailing your families and don't get a response from some, then call them. Sometimes they dont read or simply forget the notes sent home. (I do it all the time!)
Make sure when corresponding to your parents that they are very aware that they do not have to spend any money to participate, this is very important! Also that the above are simply suggestions- they can get creative and come up with their own ideas as well!

When I shared with the PTA they decided to do the theme for the entire school!
Here's how we incorporated the same theme into the week for all the staff:

Monday: SIGHT
The PTA decorated the teachers classroom doors with "Thank you for being a 'sense'ational Teacher!"
Tuesday: HEAR
During morning announcements over the PA system, the PTA read a poem and thanked the teachers for all their hard work.
Wednesday: TOUCH
We set up a booth in the hallway labeled "Free High Fives" and had some older students take turns working the booth. As teachers walked by they offered a high five for a job well done.
Thursday: SMELL
The PTA passed out raffle tickets to each of the classrooms that morning and announced the winners of hanging flower baskets during morning announcements.
Friday: TASTE
Everyone pitched in a gave the staff a wonderful breakfast that morning!

It was so much fun to see all the different and creative ways we honored our teachers through out the week. When the "sense of the day" was smell there were flowers all through out the school! Parents carrying them in, they were in teachers hands, on their desks, everywhere! It was so beautiful!

To all my special needs Mommy's who follow my blog:
I want to encourage you to get actively involved in your child's class this coming school year. Don't assume because the class is "different" that they would not appreciate parties and such like the general ed. All parents desire to see their child in typical class room doing the things that they themselves enjoyed as a kid. Help give those families the opportunity to take pictures, a reason to socialize with the other parents and an atmosphere that doesn't feel that different after all.
Unfortunately the special ed classrooms get over looked when the school is participating in activities that could be overwhelming for our kiddos classrooms. Get in there and help your child's teacher modify and participate. Those teachers deserve so much and often it goes unseen. Don't stand by and let that happen!

3 more weeks and school will be back in session again. I cant believe it! This last year was so much fun being a room mom, I hope I get the opportunity to do it again next year! I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

The 100th Day Of School!

Its Wednesday afternoon here in North Georgia. The sun is shining, the laundry is washing, the kids are home.... wait....

Welcome to the "GREAT SNOWPOCALYPSE OF 2014" folks! Where a major US city has shut down, leaving people to choose abandoning their cars on major freeways or sleeping in them for the night. There are actually kids and teachers bunkered up in their schools for the night as parents have no way to get to them and buses can't make the trek. 

Oh good grief.

I understand that this is the south and they are not prepared for this kinda weather. I, however, am from the north and welcomed this wonderous display of white, glittery, fluffy JOY! (It helps to know that we were all already home, safe and sound!) I'm pretty sure the delight on our faces explains it all!

Roman making snow angels

Lydia admiring the view

Sophia, my little snow bunny!

Me and my Holly berries!

Fun, right?! 

So that is life THIS week, celebrating the snow fall! But last week we were celebrating THE 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL! I don't remember celebrating this in school when I was growing up, so I hit up Pinterest and found a ton of cute ideas from other room mom's. Apparently 100 days is a big deal! The kiddos are 100 days smarter and are now about half way done with school! Roman was super excited and everyday came home to tell me what number day we were on. For the 100th day Romans class made T-shirts decorated with 100 objects and then wrote a brief explanation at the bottom.

"I chose this collection because... it looks like all the seasons. -Roman"

For both of the boy's class, I made some 100th Day Of School cookies! I found the idea all over pinterest. Heres my version:

I really need a printer... note for next time: I plan to use one of the many cute labels I found on Pinterest.

For Noah, who is in a very language based/sensory rich class room, I wanted to make some sensory bottles for the boys (theres only boys in his autism classroom). I gathered 100 items of each household item that I could find. I used just plain, empty water bottles and later duct taped the tops shut. 

Here is a list of items I used: 

It wasn't easy to find 100 of each item and then need it to be able to fit through the top of a bottle! 

As we explored the bottles there were different questions we could ask each of the kiddos. This can be modified based on age and where they are developmently. Noah just liked shaking them to compare sound, holding them to compare weight and verbally labeling each bottle. Here are some other ideas:

The 100th Day Of School was fun! I'm a fan!

Now, onto snow day #2: