Name: Simlife

Northstreet, MI

Number of kids: 1

Ages of kids: 11

I am just wondering if any other parents feel as I do? I hate the way that schools and doctors are labeling children these days. Everyone teaches children to think for themselves and when they do, it's weird. Children must all be round and fit in the round hole. A child who thinks for himself or herself and doesn't follow the crowd is not the norm. That square peg doesn't fit in the round hole, we must find out why. We must get that child labeled. Half of the two fifth grade classes at my daughters school are taking some pill for something or labeled as this or that. Granted some of the kids need the pills but what happened to growing up at different rates. Maybe this kid is good in these subjects and not in those, likes some and not the others. This one can memorize quickly and for that one it is very hard. A child has trouble taking tests, getting organized, I thought all those things were just park of maturing. They learn to study more to memorize what ever, they learn that home work should not be put off until the last minute. That this book or that has to go home tonight and to remember to take it back to school the next day. Isn't that part of becoming more responsible and mature. Kids do this at different rates. Why must there be something wrong with a child, why isn't it just growing? I am truly baffled at this. Sincerely, Simlife

Another Opinion submitted by Mike & Bonnie: I do understand how this mom feels. My son who in 9 years old has been diagnosed with ADHD, and before he was diagnosed he was getting into a lot of trouble at school. We tried the school's solution i.e. drugs, but they did not seem to work to well on him. Now we have tried alternative therapy and it is working. I have taken him out of public school because he is labeled, and will be teaching him at home . Even though I am teaching him at home he is still able to attend the learning lab at the public school for help in areas that he is weak in. We have a great counselor and she is working with us to help get our son back on track. I hope you will be able to help your daughter get over the stigma of being labeled, we are still working with our son by giving him lots of love and support and plenty of outlets for his energy.

Another Opinion submitted by Pam from Cincinnati: I also know what it's like to have a child be "labeled." Our son was asked to leave a sitter and a daycare before we faced the fact that something was wrong. Once he had been through testing it was determined that he had Sensory Integration Disorder. I find myself, at times, telling people when he is misbehaving that he has this disorder. I guess that makes me guilty of labeling myself. It is very frustrating when people do not know what is going on with your child and think that your parenting is to blame.

Another Opinion submitted by Kelli from Pell City, AL: I know what it feels like to be labeled a "bad"kid in school because I was and still am ADHD. Now my son is in school and is being labeled a "bad kid" not just by the teachers but by the kids also; we sometimes forget just how cruel we all were in school to someone who was different. When my son points out something about someone (like that they are over weight or something) Try to tell him something positive about that person and then ask him how he would feel if someone started making fun of him. So maybe we (parents) can help kids see how hurtful words can be and try to put an end to labeling.

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