I probably haven't stated this yet, but Alex has behavioral problems, problems with his impulse control, and has a tendency to get physical when he is angry, upset, or overly excited. We have him on medication, which I fought for a long time, but gave in as he got older and bigger, and started him on it about a year ago. It seems to help for the most part, but still I struggle daily with episodes, not to mention the side effects of the drug (weight gain, tired and cranky, etc.). I have always said that when Alex is good, I would have 10 kids like him, and when he is not, he feels like 10 kids at once.

It is these behaviors and my fear of his "episodes" that make planning or doing things with the kids tough. We have 2 different sets of plans today and I am already stressing about how they are going to go - I hate that. I want so much for him to benefit from everything we do and it just sucks when his behavior gets in the way. Now, things could go great and we will all end the day happily, but not knowing keeps me stressed before and during any type of activity or gathering and that's what I am feeling already!! AAGGHH - and as I write this he has decided to dump an entire container of baby powder in the office, the hallway and the kitchen. Why, you ask? Well, I asked him too, and this was his answer, "I just wanted to see what the floors would look like white." And there you have it........