So my skeptic friend, this post is for you. Especially if you have an ADHD child.
I don't talk a ton about this but Reed was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4. I won't go into detail about the events that led us to have him evaluated but let's just say pulling a fire alarm at the day care he just started because he was kicked out of the last one may have had something to do with it.
Fast forward nearly 5 years past this diagnosis and we still have not medicated Reed. I don't really feel a need to justify the decision except to say that although his evaluation rated him "extreme ADHD", his ADHD has not had a negative effect on him socially, emotionally or academically. He is not aggressive, he is not angry. In fact, if you will allow me a quick mom-brag moment, Reed is actually in the advanced potential/gifted program at school. But he just cannot sit still. (And a quick plug of encouragement to my fellow ADHD moms/dads who do medicate: please hear me say you are a great parent and you are doing the best thing for your child. I pray constantly about the decision not to medicate and hope that I will have ears to hear if the Lord calls me another way.) With that being said, Reed does struggle with extreme impulsive behavior which certainly causes problems at school.
We've never actually made it to the pre-set conference day since he started kindergarten. This year was no different. I sat down with several of his teachers just 2 weeks into the year and ugly cried my way through another conference trying to figure out how to accommodate my son. I was so tired. Do you ever feel that way? I was at a loss. For years we tried natural solutions with minimal success. Although I will say our diet change made the most improvement overall and I've written another post about that HERE. I was ready to try something new. I started the conversation with a precious friend who sent me this video. This video is a great explanation of how an ADHD and autistic brain works. Food for my rational brain. It's worth a watch if you are parenting a child on the spectrum or with ADHD.
In September 2015, we started using essential oils on Reed. I figured I'd try it until for a couple of weeks. Why not?
At Reed's normally scheduled conference, which was 3 weeks into his essential oil therapy, all of his teachers noticed a remarkable difference. One of them even asked what I was doing because he wanted to try it on his own son. He no longer comes home every single day with negative marks on his behavior chart. He is engaged in class and has better control over his impulsivity and his attention span. Now, Reed even applies his oils and takes his supplements on his own because HE can tell a difference himself. We are so thankful to God that we have found something to help him.
Since we've had so much success with Reed, we started using essential oils in our everyday life. Thieves and Peppermint helped Rowan rid a nasty cough in just 2 days. We've used essential oils to combat the stomach virus, colds, headaches, car sickness, skin ailments and for just overall wellness. None of my kids have been to the doctor for a sick visit since September. I have to admit, I'm still somewhat in disbelief they are working. I mean they are just oils right? But as I learn more, I've realized lots of interesting facts about essential oils. Did you know the bible makes over 200 references to oils for healing, for spiritual growth, and overall wellness? I figure, if they are good enough for God, they are good enough for me and my family.
So as I sat here tonight thanking God for the incredible positive change in my son, and all the ways essential oils have blessed my family in other ways, I couldn't help but want to share our experience. I guess I'm not the very last person on this planet to experience for themselves just how well essential oils work. My prayer is that our story can be an encouragement to someone else.
*note: If you are interested to learn the specific way we are using essential oils for Reed and ADHD, just let me know. I'm happy to share!
