This One Parenting Mistake Is Destroying A Generation

I'm a therapist and I specialize in ADHD. Everything he's saying is accurate. Kids need a change in diet, a steady sleep routine, an increase in exercise, a decrease in screen time, and specific reward based activities to increase motivation and dopamine activation. Medication isn't the answer.

My son was a weirdo when he was little. He constantly had a game running through his head. The sound effects frequently spilled out of his mouth. His first grade teacher kept telling me that he needed ADHD meds. No! He needed a teacher that could help him turn off the game for awhile. His second grade teacher was wonderful. Then he discovered football and wrestling. Long story short, no meds for my kid. He's 29 now and doing great. He's getting married soon and I couldn't be any more proud of him.

My parents put me on medication in 3rd grade and I was on so many different meds before I even graduated high school. The real problem was my mother was a lazy alcoholic/addict and my father ignored me and her blatant issues. Was in and out of psyche wards. I ended up addicted to heroin and homeless before 25. Luckily the law put me away and saved my life. I’m 7 years sober, a wife and new mom. Life is beautiful and I didn’t need any substances to make me happier. I needed a stable and healthy home. I’m not giving my kids screens/social media. I cook everything and avoid processed foods and sugar. I read to my child and play outside with her everyday. I’m determined to give her (and my second baby due soon) the life I didn’t have.

The Principal at my son's elementary school told me he could make me put my son on ADHD medication. I told him if he tried I would get a lawyer so fast his head would spin. My son also got "pink slips" for running on the playground at recess. I have no sympathy for these people. He is now 40 and successful. Schools are not made for boys.

One of the biggest problems with children these days is they don't exercise or spend enough time outside. Those little boys especially need to run and play. When they don't get to burn off their energy, they misbehave.

My son was extremely difficult (for us, probably a walk in the park compared to some) and started to become irritated, entitled, rude, impatient, not sleeping well, etc. We decided to reduce his screen time from 1-2 hours a day to 30 minutes a day. Then we just decided to basically not do screens at all. It's incredible how much he changed. He's more creative, spends more time in the arts, loves reading suddenly, is excelling in everything, goes outside, gets dirty, scrapes his knee, and I feel like we basically gave him his childhood back. Children were not made to be put in front of a screen. Adults weren't either for what it's worth.

I was told by my son's. third grade teacher if I didn't mediate him, he would end up on drugs and in jail. Didn't listen to her. He is now 38, with a PHD in electrical engineering, has a job designing EV chargers and is happily married.

Former teacher here. A suggestion, take it or leave it- Stop entertaining your children at every moment of their young lives. Allow them to sit in boredom and figure out what to do with themselves. They will focus better when left to their own devices and not placed in front of a screen all the time. Also, stop customizing everything for them- that teaches them that the world revolves around them, and you want to raise unselfish, caring people. I have seen 2 kids in the back of a minivan, and each is watching their own show on separate DVD players. If you must have them watch something, let them watch together. At least, maybe, they can talk about it to each other during or after it. Don't ask your children their preference on everything. The family is not a democracy and sometimes they have to suck it up and just do what the parents want to do. Remember, you are the parent and you are in charge for a reason. You are the adult and they won't always like your decisions but they will have to abide anyway since you are more mature and doing what is best for them because you love them. If they need more attention, cut back your hours at work and do without some luxuries so that you can spend time as a family. Eat dinner around a table at dinner time and talk to each other about your day. Don't create separate meals for each child and let them eat in front of a screen away from the rest of the family. Eat the same thing for everyone. No one should learn to be entitled to choose what they eat, when they eat, what they wear (if it is unreasonable like shorts in winter, et) what they do for entertainment, and how they talk to elders. Parent are the example and also must discipline their children OUT OF LOVE for their children. Children take time. Make the time for them and be a good parent and your kds will turn out well. God Bless!

Martial arts is a great avenue for children to learn to focus in an enjoyable and rewarding way.

Back in 1997, I convinced my friend to take her then-7 year old son off his ADHD meds. She changed his diet dramatically, got him into sports after school, and set a strict bedtime schedule. That little boy's behaviour changed in less than a month. It meant that his mom had to do a lot of work, too (Mom had to reschedule her own work schedule to accommodate these changes and she had to cook rather than really on easy microwave dinners), but it was well worth it. Her son excelled all throughout the rest of his academic career. He will be finishing his PhD next year.