Easter and Passover are here. Didn’t we just have Christmas? How is this possible?
As it is for us every Spring, Stink’s tics are up. Part of it has to do with the pollen. Part of it has to do with the fact that he is recovering from strep throat. AGAIN. Some of it has to do with more video games and food cheats than usual this weekend. Maybe some of it has to do with extra school work?
Oh, and some might just have to do with the fact that tics come and go. They come and go. Ah, yes, they come and go.
I’m not overly worried. A squeak here, a gulp there. Am I annoyed? YES. But do I know he’ll be fine? Absolutely.
We are out of his regular supplements. He’s just taking his Juice Plus (vitamins) and his focus pill. At some point I will plunk down the cash for his other regime.Â
I suppose I’m just done trying to fix this. I can’t. I’m happy where he is right now. He’s a well-adjusted kid who tics. Could be worse.
I am not trying to sound cavalier. I still take my Zoloft. I still go to therapy once/week. But much of that has to do with my own artist desires being squelched as I put my real spirit aside to raise my kids. While on one hand I’d like nothing more than to go writing 60 hours/week for some TV show, in my heart (and I don’t mean this in some martyr way) I know my place right now is here with my kids.
So I write for my local paper and do theatre reviews. (Hooray for front row orchestra seats on Tuesday for Beauty and the Beast!)
I do profile pieces for my daughter’s best friend’s papa who is a world renown artist. (See the piece on John Paul Thornton here)
I start my own websites on theatre reviews because maybe, just maybe, I will do this for pay one day.
And then I, very slowly, work on my book on Tourette Syndrome.
I don’t have the answers for tics. And I don’t attempt to have any answers for life. But one thing I know is that there is a season for everything – for calm and for chaos. For twitches and stillness. For valleys and highs.
I am learning to be content in less than peaceful circumstances, and I am ever so grateful.
What do you do when you are not worrying about Tourettes? Have you made any progress in that department? Does it help that I continually remind you that a kid with tics who is confident is better than a kid without tics who is a dweeb?
I love you all.
I love your kids.
We are in this together.
Andrea
* Pic of Stink at the end of his fourth grade year. I’m not sure what happened, but he went from a chubby cheeked mama’s boy to a moppy haired boy band inspired pre-teen who won’t let me kiss him in front of his beloved teacher. Little shixxxt.
Happily Ticked Off 
Hi Andrea,
Your son is adorable with his fluffy hair ! No matter what I can’t help but smile when I read your posts. You’re a great writer.
As for my 81/2 yeat old boy, the tics have been very mild, almost unnoticeable for the past 2 months. That’s good news. What I have noticed is a change in his behavior; very low tolerance to frustration and boredom, more crying spells and he keeps testing his parents and picks on his younger brother ! I wonder if it’s what they call ”associated symptoms” to TS, him developing his character or probably a bit of both! I’m starting to understand what they mean when they say ”it’s rarely the tics the problem”. He told me yesterday that we (his parents) are tough on him and he didn’t understand why. It’s almost like he doesn’t realize/notice his bad behavior. (He’s 8 and I feel it’s now that I have to get a grasp on things) I apologized and told him that I loved him so much and that we will be more patient and understanding but will not tolerate bad behavior.
Centphil – I am with you. I don’t think bad behavior can be tolerated no matter what. In fact, it must be tolerated even less if our kids have “special needs” because we need to show the world they are so much more than their tics. Hell, we need to show THEM. Way to go! You have my support.
That picture made me smile- I see you in that handsome preteen!! So glad you are doing so well. Hugs to all from Georgia!!
I was just thinking of you. I dreamed I asked you about your sis and if she was still prego? I hope so. I love you so!
My sis is doing great- having a baby boy in June!! 🙂
Great article Andrea. Thanks for all you do for us moms 🙂
Sabrina – you have become so dear to me. Glad to call you friend.
Well, almost made it to three months. Tics are up- seasonal allergies, changed back to whole wheat (even though rast was negative), or just they’re back because they’re back. Who knows. But I know now it will pass (thank you Andrea!). And @centphil- ditto, ditto, ditto. It’s like having a 10 year old with a teenager’s attitude, but the tics were gone for almost 3 months. And now that they’re back, he’s a little less crabby. Go figure.
Joy, I’m sorry about the tics. But they will get better. Promise. Are you the reader whose kid needs to be pen pals with Stink? Please advise.
Yup, that was me, I believe. I know they would be great friends in person (since they seem to have been separated at birth), but don’t know if mine will actually write or type or email (unless it involves mario or minecraft). Can barely get him to do his 20 mins of reading homework without dire threats.