Attention issues w/sports, etc

[ilovedogs]

My son and dh went to play some golf this AM and dh came home in a foul mood. Apparently ds did great on the first 9 holes but he just lost his attention span, etc. on the last 9 holes. He said he had to keep repeating himself and reminding ds to pick up his bag or get the right club, etc.

Since we homeschool, I am very aware of the attention issues. Ds is right there with me one minute and then the next he's staring at the fly on the wall.

 

What supplements can I give safely to help ADD w/out increading tics? Fish oil makes him tic more, btw. Also, are there any exercises we can do to help him become more aware of what's going around him? When dh freaks out on ds, ds tics more so I have that to contend with today, too! I just don't know how to help his attention issues at home. The first thing dh said when he came home is, "He's your son!" Mainly b/c I have attention issues and coordination issues that seem to have passed on to ds. Never mind the fact that dh himself was ADHD as a child and on Ritalin for 8 years! Yep, that had nothing to do with it genetically at all!

 

Anyway, I'm sorry I had to rant here but I'm looking for ways to help us all. Maybe I'll learn something in the process, too!

 

Thanks,

Bonnie

[QsMom]

Bonnie,

 

I can empathize with the focus issues. We use fish oil so i really can't comment on other supplements. Since we started the fish oil though, I have seen an increase in attention.

 

Here are some other thoughts:

We are trying Tae Kwon Doe- the teachers are working with my son on eye contact, confidence and following directions/paying attention. Maybe a good one to look into since you homeschool?

How old is your son? Would he try yoga? I'm looking into yoga for my kids ... yoga has lots of benefits for kids and parents: flexibility, focus, relaxation, and a fun activity to do together.

 

A thought on golf- after 9 holes, did it get hot or was he having an off day? 18 holes is a long time for anyone to not loose focus, especially if you are not hitting well.

 

Good Luck!

[emma1]

Take a look at Natural Factors, PharmaGaba, on iherb. I just bought it on impulse because of the reviews -- helps calm and focus! We only tried it once, but it seemed to have the desired effect.

[ilovedogs]

Bonnie,

 

I can empathize with the focus issues. We use fish oil so i really can't comment on other supplements. Since we started the fish oil though, I have seen an increase in attention.

 

Here are some other thoughts:

We are trying Tae Kwon Doe- the teachers are working with my son on eye contact, confidence and following directions/paying attention. Maybe a good one to look into since you homeschool?

How old is your son? Would he try yoga? I'm looking into yoga for my kids ... yoga has lots of benefits for kids and parents: flexibility, focus, relaxation, and a fun activity to do together.

 

A thought on golf- after 9 holes, did it get hot or was he having an off day? 18 holes is a long time for anyone to not loose focus, especially if you are not hitting well.

 

Good Luck!

I had to laugh! About the yoga thing, as I am a yoga instructor!!! I just can't get my son to want to take my classes! My dh loves it, though, and I do use my yoga breathing techniques with ds which he does enjoy.

On the golf thing: it was about 97 degrees(normal for us here in AZ) and they walked the course. Dh said he did great on the first 9 holes and then ds just lost it. I told dh that it was because we let him have a donut for breakfast and he was probably coming off the sugar high! Anyway, they've both recovered and are getting along fine now!

Bonnie

[Tracey111]

Bonnie,

 

This is something that I SWORE I would research this summer.......and I have nothing yet! My son has ADD and it is driving me nuts this summer. He seemed more focused when he was in school! That and I have taught him to say "I don't get it" when he does not understand what someone is asking of him/explaining to him. In a 30 minute workbook session he says it 10 times to me! UGHHH!

 

I used "attention focus plus" from Nature's sunshine vitamins at the beginning of his tic issues. I recall that the teachers said his attention was MUCH better, but I also added magnesium at that time and changed his diet a little bit. I was going to research each ingredient in the blend to see what I could find on each one. I have read a lot about grapeseed extract. I think Bonnie's supplements also have an ADHD blend.

 

I would have blamed the donuts! Glad to hear that you have resolved this!!!!!