Post About My Oldest Child

Bentley Gage is 8-years-old and is one of the sweetest kids I know. He was born on April 7, 2003 at 8:15am weighing 7lbs 15ozs. He was one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. Bentley was always independent and super quick to learn new things. He was walking at 9 months and talking up a storm by 12 months. At 2, he was counting to ten in English and Spanish, knew shapes, colors, and who our president was. He could tell you the state capital, state bird, and state tree. He loved doing animal noises and could spell his name. He was always a sweet baby and somewhat laid back but had moments of being very high-maintenance. He is VERY hyper and talks non-stop. Bentley is a Momma's boy from way back and I love that boy dearly. At about 5-years-old I started noticing how active he was, and how hard it was to get him to sleep at night. He couldn't sit still, always fidgeting. I questioned his Kindergarten teacher and she said, "he is ALL boy, that's all". So in first grade, same things were happening except now grades were being affected. So I asked his teacher about his behavior and she said I should have him tested for ADHD. Only problem was no one would test him until he was 7-years-old. So we had to deal with it and really push him to sit and focus as much as possible at school. Thankfully, Mrs. Latham was AWESOME and helped us through the school year!

Bentley was tested in April of 2010. He was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety issues. He was put on Vyvanse first. About a year later his medicine was changed to Adderall. My son changed dramatically on Adderall!!! He was moody, irritable, had huge blow-ups, and cried all the time. The doctor we were seeing really didn't like to be asked questions. He wanted to have you in and out without really having to deal with you too much. Once, I asked him about changing the meds because of the behavior and his response was, "Sure, just tell me what you want and I will write it out." I don't know!!! You are the doctor!!! I did research but he didn't want to discuss meds. He just wanted to write out prescription and send us on our way. Needless to say we changed doctors that day!

We started seeing Dr. Donna Davis and LOVE her!!! She is awesome. She talks to Bentley and makes him do most of the talking and wants to know how he feels and what he's thinking. The first thing she did was change his medicine. He is now on Ritalin. Bentley is so much calmer and happier. Dr. Davis said Adderall is one of the worst meds to be on. All of the terrible tantrums and such were happening when the Adderall was coming out of his system, called Rebounding. I truly believe the Adderall altered Bentley's personality. I think all of the bad behaviors he had picked up while on that medicine became a habit. He is still doing some of the behaviors as before just not as often. He still has moments of fits but he can get himself together quicker unlike when he was on Adderall. One time, while on Adderall still, he was sent to his room for being ugly and I went to check on him and he was praying. But the prayer broke my heart. He was asking God why He hadn't helped him to stay calmer and be more respectful because he had prayed so hard to do those things. He just couldn't control his behavior while on that medicine. He is still impulsive but I think that is just going to be a part of his personality. I fear he is going to be a follower instead of a leader and we are really trying to work on that. 

Bentley is a big hugger and he loves to read and write. He is very artistic and athletic. A super smart kid. And he is mighty handsome too ;)

Now, on January 20th, Bentley made a HUGE mistake!!! One we are dealing with and a mistake that he was disciplined for and is still suffering discipline from. And probably will for some time to come. I know all kids make mistakes but I strongly believe you have to catch these behaviors now and try your best to stop them so they don't become bigger issues later. I want to raise my boys to be honorable, respectful, loving, caring, and God-fearing men who will one day be awesome husbands and fathers. I fail as a mother daily. But one thing I do know is that NO ONE will ever love my boys here on this earth more than I will.

             
                   Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
                                                                                         ~Proverbs 22:6