10. It is rich in history. The U.P. was settled before the lower peninsula. Ontonagon had a telephone two years before Detroit did. Although there is some debate about it, Sault Ste. Marie is the 3rd oldest city in the United States, behind St. Augustine, Florida, and Sante Fe, New Mexico.
9. The U.P. is like a National Park. Wildlife, small towns, beautiful beaches, mountains (although I would call the Porkies "hills", either way, it is pretty), wilderness, etc...
8. Great hospitality! We found Ironwood, Newberry, Paradise, Saulte Ste. Marie, Copper Harbor and Houghton to be very friendly and welcoming.
7. Copper and Iron Mines. Although my wife and inlaws were too scared to go into the mines, we did visit Copper Harbor and some of the ghost towns that have a few remains of a once profitable time. It would be great to see some of them come back to life once again.
6. Great wildlife. Even though we did not see any moose or bear, there is much to see. Also, in Newberry they have Oswald's Bear Ranch, where one can often pet and sometimes even feed the cubs. Very reasonably priced.
5. Museums. The best is The Shipwreck Museum -- a must see. There are many others, with most of them being almost free. The Taqhuamenon Logging Museum is the most underrated.
4. Support Michigan's economy. There is not a better way to give back to our own State. Besides boycotting Washington apples and California cherries and strawberries and instead buying our own produce from our own people, and not wasting fuel to ship them from the west coast, we can help tourism in our own State by appreciating our history and the great people of the U.P.
3. Adventure. Although we chose not to camp this time, nor did we kayak or go on any long hiking excursions, the U.P. is known for kayaking in their many rivers and lakes, especially Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Speaking of Pictured Rocks....
2. The great national parks and State parks. Taqhuamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Porcupine Mountains, Soo Locks, Copper Harbor and many more. I lived in Colorado, Northern California and South Dakota. The Porkies are not like Yosemite or Rocky Mountain National Parks. Nor is Lake of the Clouds like Lake Tahoe. Sure, Taqhuamenon Falls are not Niagara, nor is the marshes like that in the Everglades. Although, to be able to see Pictured Rocks and the Carribean colored water, walk up to the Lake of the Clouds in the Porkies and see a beautiful lake in the middle of the hills on one side and witness the vast waters of Lake Superior on the other, then listen to the rushing water of Taqhuamenon's upper falls and then witness the natural beauty of the lower falls, not to mention driving through vast wilderness for miles and miles. I have come to realize there are not many places where you can experience all this in one vacation. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a kept secret. It is out of the way of everything, which is why I believe many people outside of Michigan and Wisconsin rarely consider charting their vacation plans to include the U.P. It does not get the attention of Yellowstone, the Smokies, Yosemite, Glacier, the Grand Canyon or even the Florida Everglades. Yet, I am ready to go back. Maybe even some winter, just to see what it is like...just so I know I can find a way out because winter is long enough even here.
1. Witness the majesty of our Creator. He deserves the credit for all of the beauty. When one needs to get away and experience God's shalom, re-create, meditate and as the psalmist said, "consider the works of his hands" only to wonder "who are we that he is mindful of us"? Take a Bible, read through some of the Psalms that speak of the handiwork of God. Thank him for places like Michigan's Upper Peninsula and praise him for his creation. Remember that his creation is a gift to us and therefore we must care for it responsibly. As we look at the beauty of his creation, may we remember his love for us and know that we are without excuse in knowing his existence.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
MAKING HOME A SAFE PLACE
I remember when a frustrated mother came to me and said she was upset with her daughter because she lied to her. She went on to explain how in her home they have a “zero tolerance” for lying and there were going to be serious and long-lasting consequences for her actions. I remember thinking to myself as she was explaining her dissertation on lying, I would probably lie too if I was her daughter. Although I applaud the mother’s conviction for lying, I could not help but wonder if there was not a better way to deal with the lying.
Certainly, there should be a consequence for our children when they lie. However, we should also ask ourselves and our children, “Why does my child feel like they have to lie in our home?” If all behavior is communication, what is my child trying to communicate to me?
There could be a number of reasons why our children might lie to us. It could be because they want to get away with trouble. But, it also could be they do not feel safe to tell us the truth. So we must ask, “Do our children feel like they have the freedom to tell us the truth? Do they know we will continue to love them, regardless of what “news” they must bring to our attention? Or, are they hesitant to tell us for fear of how we might react. Are they convinced we will respond by yelling, severe consequences or even being “horribly disappointed” in them?
We know we will always love our children regardless of what they say our do. However, if we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we fail to communicate our love to them when they choose to be honest with us. So what do we do? We must make our home a safe home, where our children have the freedom to fail and the freedom to be honest with us when they fail. We must provide an atmosphere where our children can tell us the honest truth of how they feel, knowing it may hurt our feelings, but more importantly it will help heal and maintain a safe and healthy environment. As a parent I am not there yet. But I want to be.
Certainly, there should be a consequence for our children when they lie. However, we should also ask ourselves and our children, “Why does my child feel like they have to lie in our home?” If all behavior is communication, what is my child trying to communicate to me?
There could be a number of reasons why our children might lie to us. It could be because they want to get away with trouble. But, it also could be they do not feel safe to tell us the truth. So we must ask, “Do our children feel like they have the freedom to tell us the truth? Do they know we will continue to love them, regardless of what “news” they must bring to our attention? Or, are they hesitant to tell us for fear of how we might react. Are they convinced we will respond by yelling, severe consequences or even being “horribly disappointed” in them?
We know we will always love our children regardless of what they say our do. However, if we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we fail to communicate our love to them when they choose to be honest with us. So what do we do? We must make our home a safe home, where our children have the freedom to fail and the freedom to be honest with us when they fail. We must provide an atmosphere where our children can tell us the honest truth of how they feel, knowing it may hurt our feelings, but more importantly it will help heal and maintain a safe and healthy environment. As a parent I am not there yet. But I want to be.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
McDONALD'S MELTDOWN: WHEN OUR CHILDREN ACT OUT IN PUBLIC
I remember when my children were in their toddler years. They both have special needs and helping them learn appropriate behavior and social skills was more of a challenge than it is for “neuro-typical” children. One day we decided to take them to the local McDonald’s, which happened to have a nice indoor play area. We figured it would be a nice break for us. Our kids could play while we ate our burger and fries.
It did not take long for our kids to feel comfortable in the McDonald’s. Our son walked up to a family whom had just begun eating their lunch and grabbed a handful of fries from them. Fortunately, it was a kindhearted teenage girl who found him to be so cute and entertaining that she did offered him more fries. Our daughter, on the other hand, began yelling, screaming and running around the place. Within a few minutes, she performed her state of the art “McDonald’s Meltdown” with great energy and volume. She climbed into the play structure and refused to come out upon learning she was in trouble. As I was desperately attempting to get my daughter out of the play area, I could hear the voice of a parent saying, “If that were my kid...” It took everything in me not to say in return, “Take her! We’ll see who comes out alive.”
I remember walking to the car with my daughter in my arms, kicking and screaming, feeling embarrassed and upset, wanting to go back in and yell at the parents who were critical of our parenting. For years, the only places we would take our children out for meals were fast food restaurants. Then one day I said to my wife, “Let’s go out for lunch at the Old Village Café.” My wife said, “Why?” I said, “Because they have to learn to sit still for dinner. If we keep avoiding the opportunity for them to learn how to sit still, they will never know what to do. To our surprise, our kids learned quickly how to sit still for a meal in a restaurant.
Often as parents, we allow ourselves to get embarrassed when our children act out in public. It is easy to worry about the evaluation others put on us, when in truth, to say it nicely, we need to get over ourselves and do what is in the best interests of our children. That does not mean we do not have a consequence in place for when their behavior is subpar. However, it does mean we persist and help them by causing them to learn the appropriate behavior skills in the public setting. Life certainly is a journey isn’t it?
It did not take long for our kids to feel comfortable in the McDonald’s. Our son walked up to a family whom had just begun eating their lunch and grabbed a handful of fries from them. Fortunately, it was a kindhearted teenage girl who found him to be so cute and entertaining that she did offered him more fries. Our daughter, on the other hand, began yelling, screaming and running around the place. Within a few minutes, she performed her state of the art “McDonald’s Meltdown” with great energy and volume. She climbed into the play structure and refused to come out upon learning she was in trouble. As I was desperately attempting to get my daughter out of the play area, I could hear the voice of a parent saying, “If that were my kid...” It took everything in me not to say in return, “Take her! We’ll see who comes out alive.”
I remember walking to the car with my daughter in my arms, kicking and screaming, feeling embarrassed and upset, wanting to go back in and yell at the parents who were critical of our parenting. For years, the only places we would take our children out for meals were fast food restaurants. Then one day I said to my wife, “Let’s go out for lunch at the Old Village Café.” My wife said, “Why?” I said, “Because they have to learn to sit still for dinner. If we keep avoiding the opportunity for them to learn how to sit still, they will never know what to do. To our surprise, our kids learned quickly how to sit still for a meal in a restaurant.
Often as parents, we allow ourselves to get embarrassed when our children act out in public. It is easy to worry about the evaluation others put on us, when in truth, to say it nicely, we need to get over ourselves and do what is in the best interests of our children. That does not mean we do not have a consequence in place for when their behavior is subpar. However, it does mean we persist and help them by causing them to learn the appropriate behavior skills in the public setting. Life certainly is a journey isn’t it?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Boy and a Basketball Team
At Christmas time we all get Christmas letters where people talk about how “great” their year was and how their children are graduating at the top of their class and going to an Ivy League School. Seldom do we read about children who demonstrate character. Even more seldom do we read about the trials many families faced during a challenging year.
Recently, I witnessed a basketball team and a young boy modeling character. Cornerstone University, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, dedicated their 2010-2011 season to a young boy, Johnny Teis. Johnny was diagnosed with a life-altering, inoperable brain tumor. Johnny and his family were at the game to do the ceremonial opening tip. My daughter and I had the privilege of meeting Johnny. When I reached out to shake his hand, he reached out his hand with very little physical strength, but his heart had, and still has, the strength of a Lion.
Cornerstone University is ranked number 3 in the NAIA Division 2. As an alumnus, I take pride in watching their success on the court. However, what makes me more proud is their character off the court as well. I would love to see the Golden Eagles win another national title (their first was in 1999). I have actually contemplated attending the national tournament in Branson, Missouri this year. Yet, what I will remember about this season is their character.
During the ceremonial opening tip, Johnny’s family had pushed him in his wheelchair to the middle of the court with the Cornerstone basketball team following him. The crowd, all wearing green t-shirts that said “Johnny’s Army”, gave him a standing ovation, as did the whole Indiana Tech team, whom at that point had also made their way to mid-court to honor and cheer for Johnny. His brother tossed the ball up into the air as the audience applauded, not only Johnny, but also his family for their courage.
Cornerstone University and the Teis family modeled for us an important truth. Life is so much more than basketball, the final score of the game or who wins the championship. Life is about loving God and loving and serving others. It does not mean life is fair.
My wife, Becky, is a cancer survivor, which is why I have such a passion for stories like this. I know we are not supposed to question God when things like this happen. Yet, over two-thirds of the Psalms in the Bible are laments, people who are upset with the circumstances they are put in, asking God where He is. In the end, though, they remember who He is and praise Him. My heart aches for the Teis family and what they are going through. Yet I praise God for their testimony and character which has touched the lives of people like Dick Vitale, who called Johnny’s house and spoke of him during the Wisconsin/Ohio State basketball game last weekend, and Jim Tressel.
I thank God for Cornerstone University’s basketball team and their testimony. I really hope they win at nationals this year. Still, one day all the trophies will be old and in a dumpster. Yet the character of their team and a family who has shown courage during the most difficult of times is something that will last for eternity. Please pray for the Teis family. God Bless!
If anyone is interested in donating money to a fund going toward medical expenses for the Teis family, you may donate to the following:
Arvest Bank
506 First Ave. SE
Gravette AR 72736
c/o Johnny Teis Contribution Fund.
Recently, I witnessed a basketball team and a young boy modeling character. Cornerstone University, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, dedicated their 2010-2011 season to a young boy, Johnny Teis. Johnny was diagnosed with a life-altering, inoperable brain tumor. Johnny and his family were at the game to do the ceremonial opening tip. My daughter and I had the privilege of meeting Johnny. When I reached out to shake his hand, he reached out his hand with very little physical strength, but his heart had, and still has, the strength of a Lion.
Cornerstone University is ranked number 3 in the NAIA Division 2. As an alumnus, I take pride in watching their success on the court. However, what makes me more proud is their character off the court as well. I would love to see the Golden Eagles win another national title (their first was in 1999). I have actually contemplated attending the national tournament in Branson, Missouri this year. Yet, what I will remember about this season is their character.
During the ceremonial opening tip, Johnny’s family had pushed him in his wheelchair to the middle of the court with the Cornerstone basketball team following him. The crowd, all wearing green t-shirts that said “Johnny’s Army”, gave him a standing ovation, as did the whole Indiana Tech team, whom at that point had also made their way to mid-court to honor and cheer for Johnny. His brother tossed the ball up into the air as the audience applauded, not only Johnny, but also his family for their courage.
Cornerstone University and the Teis family modeled for us an important truth. Life is so much more than basketball, the final score of the game or who wins the championship. Life is about loving God and loving and serving others. It does not mean life is fair.
My wife, Becky, is a cancer survivor, which is why I have such a passion for stories like this. I know we are not supposed to question God when things like this happen. Yet, over two-thirds of the Psalms in the Bible are laments, people who are upset with the circumstances they are put in, asking God where He is. In the end, though, they remember who He is and praise Him. My heart aches for the Teis family and what they are going through. Yet I praise God for their testimony and character which has touched the lives of people like Dick Vitale, who called Johnny’s house and spoke of him during the Wisconsin/Ohio State basketball game last weekend, and Jim Tressel.
I thank God for Cornerstone University’s basketball team and their testimony. I really hope they win at nationals this year. Still, one day all the trophies will be old and in a dumpster. Yet the character of their team and a family who has shown courage during the most difficult of times is something that will last for eternity. Please pray for the Teis family. God Bless!
If anyone is interested in donating money to a fund going toward medical expenses for the Teis family, you may donate to the following:
Arvest Bank
506 First Ave. SE
Gravette AR 72736
c/o Johnny Teis Contribution Fund.
Friday, February 4, 2011
RAISING OUR CHILDREN WITHOUT YELLING AT THEM
A few years ago, the Indianapolis Colts played the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl. Tony Dungy, the coach of the eventual World Champion Indianapolis Colts, had been under the radar for doing something many said could not be done in professional sports. He was able to get his team to win the Super Bowl without ever yelling at his players. Every year he would begin training camp with his famous quote saying in a calm but assertive voice, “This is as much as you are going to hear me yell at you all season long.”
Some have argued that it could not possibly be true for Coach Dungy to lead his team to win the Super Bowl without yelling at his players. Others have said, his assistants must have done the yelling for him. For some reason, people equate yelling with discipline. Just because Tony Dungy did not yell at his players did not mean they lacked discipline.
Too often, as parents we sometimes assume we need to yell at our children to get them to lead disciplined lives. Is it possible to have well-disciplined children without yelling at them? In a sense, yes it is possible and I have found children to respond better to instruction when there is less yelling involved. On the other hand, I have yet to find a parent who has never yelled at their children at some point in their lives.
As a parent, it is my passion to see us all collectively learn effective ways to rear children with positive results along with low resistance from them. Some examples of how this can happen include allowing our children to learn through natural and logical consequences, less lecturing, relational building, time spent together, valuing their character, unconditional love, assertiveness and a variety of other ideas. It is always an honor to talk with parents and share from my own learning through research and personal experience. Together, we can learn and become better parents.
Some have argued that it could not possibly be true for Coach Dungy to lead his team to win the Super Bowl without yelling at his players. Others have said, his assistants must have done the yelling for him. For some reason, people equate yelling with discipline. Just because Tony Dungy did not yell at his players did not mean they lacked discipline.
Too often, as parents we sometimes assume we need to yell at our children to get them to lead disciplined lives. Is it possible to have well-disciplined children without yelling at them? In a sense, yes it is possible and I have found children to respond better to instruction when there is less yelling involved. On the other hand, I have yet to find a parent who has never yelled at their children at some point in their lives.
As a parent, it is my passion to see us all collectively learn effective ways to rear children with positive results along with low resistance from them. Some examples of how this can happen include allowing our children to learn through natural and logical consequences, less lecturing, relational building, time spent together, valuing their character, unconditional love, assertiveness and a variety of other ideas. It is always an honor to talk with parents and share from my own learning through research and personal experience. Together, we can learn and become better parents.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
ADHD: Take 3, To Med or Not To Med
TO MED OR NOT TO MED?
I have heard a variety of opinions regarding ADHD and medications. I have heard the argument that medications, like Ritalin, have serious side effects, such as the potential for seizures. I have read research suggesting such medications can cause a person to lack creativity due to the effects on that part of the brain (I am guessing they mean the right side of the brain). I have also heard the other side, parents and doctors suggesting to anyone and everyone who is struggling with anything should “get on some good meds because there are great medications to help make everyone’s life easier. I find this conversation especially true with parents who are looking for some parental relief rather than seeking the best interests for their child.
I don’t know the best answer. I am glad I chose a profession that does not write up prescriptions. Please hear me! I stay mostly neutral on the subject of meds. I am uncomfortable with the idea of putting a child with ADHD on medication the second they are diagnosed. I am also uncomfortable seeing a child who is struggling to adapt and cope with anxiety and frustrations when some medication could potentially make a world of difference. I have seen both extremes.
As a licensed counselor, I believe we need to take a holistic approach to ADHD. According to research done by Dr. Daniel Amen, we should consider our child’s diet. Are they eating an over-abundance of sugar or caffeine? Are they getting enough vegetables and protein? We should also consider the amount of physical exercise our child is getting. Do they get out and walk, ride their bike, play games, swim, cross-country ski, or go on long hikes? Or, instead of exercising are they spending more than a half-hour playing video games? Also, we must consider vitamins, and other supplements like fish oil (omega 3), Multi-Vitamins, Vitamins B, C, and D. If your child is having difficulty sleeping at night, have you tried giving them three mg’s of Melatonin? It is not a medication, but a nutrient that provides a sleep hormone.
The problem with medications is too many people jump to medications without taking a holistic approach to see if there are other ways to cope with ADHD. I believe more often than not, people are lacking in exercise, adequate sleep and appropriate diet, which can make one’s ADHD more difficult to cope with. If the individual is sleeping well, exercising regularly and eating healthy and still struggle to pay attention and complete tasks, one might consider talking with a psychiatrist or doctor about getting on some medication. I will caution, if you talk with a family doctor about prescribing medication, get some consultation from a psychologist or licensed counselor regarding the type of medication and dosage. I have seen family doctors be very quick to prescribe medication without knowing anything about the psyche or emotional state of the patient.
I have very good friends in the mental health work who believe all ADHD medications have side effects that are not worth the risk. They are convinced if individuals with ADHD exercise and eat right they will cope well enough to adjust. However, when I was in high school I was in great physical shape. I played basketball, soccer and ran in a cross-country race one time because they needed an extra person. I still struggled to concentrate on school and life. I believe there are situations when a person will rule out all the other coping options and be at a place where they could use some medication.
I have heard a variety of opinions regarding ADHD and medications. I have heard the argument that medications, like Ritalin, have serious side effects, such as the potential for seizures. I have read research suggesting such medications can cause a person to lack creativity due to the effects on that part of the brain (I am guessing they mean the right side of the brain). I have also heard the other side, parents and doctors suggesting to anyone and everyone who is struggling with anything should “get on some good meds because there are great medications to help make everyone’s life easier. I find this conversation especially true with parents who are looking for some parental relief rather than seeking the best interests for their child.
I don’t know the best answer. I am glad I chose a profession that does not write up prescriptions. Please hear me! I stay mostly neutral on the subject of meds. I am uncomfortable with the idea of putting a child with ADHD on medication the second they are diagnosed. I am also uncomfortable seeing a child who is struggling to adapt and cope with anxiety and frustrations when some medication could potentially make a world of difference. I have seen both extremes.
As a licensed counselor, I believe we need to take a holistic approach to ADHD. According to research done by Dr. Daniel Amen, we should consider our child’s diet. Are they eating an over-abundance of sugar or caffeine? Are they getting enough vegetables and protein? We should also consider the amount of physical exercise our child is getting. Do they get out and walk, ride their bike, play games, swim, cross-country ski, or go on long hikes? Or, instead of exercising are they spending more than a half-hour playing video games? Also, we must consider vitamins, and other supplements like fish oil (omega 3), Multi-Vitamins, Vitamins B, C, and D. If your child is having difficulty sleeping at night, have you tried giving them three mg’s of Melatonin? It is not a medication, but a nutrient that provides a sleep hormone.
The problem with medications is too many people jump to medications without taking a holistic approach to see if there are other ways to cope with ADHD. I believe more often than not, people are lacking in exercise, adequate sleep and appropriate diet, which can make one’s ADHD more difficult to cope with. If the individual is sleeping well, exercising regularly and eating healthy and still struggle to pay attention and complete tasks, one might consider talking with a psychiatrist or doctor about getting on some medication. I will caution, if you talk with a family doctor about prescribing medication, get some consultation from a psychologist or licensed counselor regarding the type of medication and dosage. I have seen family doctors be very quick to prescribe medication without knowing anything about the psyche or emotional state of the patient.
I have very good friends in the mental health work who believe all ADHD medications have side effects that are not worth the risk. They are convinced if individuals with ADHD exercise and eat right they will cope well enough to adjust. However, when I was in high school I was in great physical shape. I played basketball, soccer and ran in a cross-country race one time because they needed an extra person. I still struggled to concentrate on school and life. I believe there are situations when a person will rule out all the other coping options and be at a place where they could use some medication.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
ADHD In The Classroom
I believe our western culture concentrates itself on academic success and excellence. Many schools will display the phrase, “Knowledge is Power” on their hallways and in their classrooms. They love the student who is compliant, sits still in class and scores high on exams and papers. The individual with ADHD typically does not excel academically. Some with ADHD have high IQ scores. I have heard parents say, “I just don’t understand. He took an IQ test and he scored extremely high, but he just doesn’t apply himself at school.”
I heard Dr. Tony Atwood describe life at school for a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome. He said, “When they are at school, they are performing. They are not made to sit still, be quiet and listen for 7 hours.” I believe the same is true for those with ADHD. Our school classrooms are set up for the “gifted” student. (By gifted I mean those students who easily excel the academic system set up in our western culture schools. As I said, people with ADHD are also gifted, just differently.)
One important fact we need to remember is students with ADHD excel in more non-traditional settings. They often like noise in their studying environment rather than silence. It is not uncommon for them to prefer a chaotic mess in contrast to an overly clean and calm homework setting. Yet, they do need some structure and routines. They also learn more quickly when they experience learning. For example, my junior year of high school our class took a trip from Lansing, Michigan to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Being on the spot where the battlefield took place helped us to grasp what it looked like and how it all happened at the actual battle. Standing at the place where President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address brings more meaning to his speech than reading it in a textbook. As a teenager with ADHD would say, “Civil War textbooks got nothing on being at Gettysburg.”
When I have a client with ADHD who is failing school, I listen to their frustrations, and empathize with them. I tell them I understand how frustrating it is to have a teacher who expects you to think, behave and perform exactly as they do when they learn. I understand how frustrating it is to have to learn about different sciences or math problems you will never again in your life practice. However, I also explain it is necessary for them to go along with it for the time being. For those of us with ADHD, sometimes we have bigger mountains to climb than others. Is it fair? No! Yet, the consequences of blaming society, teachers and our school systems will not help us graduate and cut corners in life. We must sustain and learn the way others learn for now.
I heard Dr. Tony Atwood describe life at school for a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome. He said, “When they are at school, they are performing. They are not made to sit still, be quiet and listen for 7 hours.” I believe the same is true for those with ADHD. Our school classrooms are set up for the “gifted” student. (By gifted I mean those students who easily excel the academic system set up in our western culture schools. As I said, people with ADHD are also gifted, just differently.)
One important fact we need to remember is students with ADHD excel in more non-traditional settings. They often like noise in their studying environment rather than silence. It is not uncommon for them to prefer a chaotic mess in contrast to an overly clean and calm homework setting. Yet, they do need some structure and routines. They also learn more quickly when they experience learning. For example, my junior year of high school our class took a trip from Lansing, Michigan to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Being on the spot where the battlefield took place helped us to grasp what it looked like and how it all happened at the actual battle. Standing at the place where President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address brings more meaning to his speech than reading it in a textbook. As a teenager with ADHD would say, “Civil War textbooks got nothing on being at Gettysburg.”
When I have a client with ADHD who is failing school, I listen to their frustrations, and empathize with them. I tell them I understand how frustrating it is to have a teacher who expects you to think, behave and perform exactly as they do when they learn. I understand how frustrating it is to have to learn about different sciences or math problems you will never again in your life practice. However, I also explain it is necessary for them to go along with it for the time being. For those of us with ADHD, sometimes we have bigger mountains to climb than others. Is it fair? No! Yet, the consequences of blaming society, teachers and our school systems will not help us graduate and cut corners in life. We must sustain and learn the way others learn for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)