Dietary Changes, etc.

So this is what I'm trying first.  I bought it at Rainbow Blossom, where I was told I can return it within 60 days if it doesn't work.  Ok, this is Step #1. 

Step #2:  Cutting out red dyes/artificial colors.  This is a slow process because I just can't throw everything out of our house that has has artificial colors.  I also still need to research more foods that I can buy without them. 

Step #3:  Calm time before bed.  Earlier bedtime. 

Lovely already had limited dairy due to other digestive issues, so I haven't really changed this aspect of her diet.  Really, I do wonder if some of it is just emotional, such as not wanting people to "look" at her (which she's always had issues with), and thus she is zoning out during school.  However, she still enjoys parts of school, such as playing with her friends and art, music, P.E., Spanish, etc., during which she's totally there.  Perhaps she is just getting bored--who knows.  All I know is that homeschooling was next to impossible with her and I decided I didn't want to foster the type of relationship where I was mad and yelled all the time and she was stubborn or crying all the time.  Therefore, she's going to school for now, and we'll see how long it fits for us.  She's still getting excellent grades; she just doesn't volunteer in class (I'd be a hypocrite if I got too mad at her for not volunteering since I never did until college).  I am a little confused, however, because I've heard her read compared to other kids who are supposedly in more advanced reading groups, and oft times, she reads more fluently.  Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see.  Time will tell. 

In other news, Snugglebug was given the option of retesting for her 10-word colors spelling test (keep in mind, she's in Kindergarten and she had the following words:  blue, orange, red, brown, black, white, yellow, purple, pink, and green).  Some of the words are easy, but some are pretty difficult for this age.  Anyway, I told her she got a B- on the spelling test, and I asked her if she wanted to retake it.  Her response:  "Ummmm.  B- is close to an A."  Way to go, my little overachiever! 

Happenings

So what we all hear about happening happened.  I've been talking back and forth to Lovely's teacher because Lovely:

• Is always the last to finish her school work, and is therefore always working during snack break, etc. (I remember this problem when we homeschooled.)
• Is always tired in class, and tries to put her head down.
• Often doesn't even know the question being asked, let alone the answer.
• Has no clue how to do a process that they've been doing all year in school.

In addition, she:

• Will stare directly at you and not hear/understand a word you are saying.
• Is easily distracted.  

Her grades are pretty good, but she does have some anxiety for tests (who doesn't?).  Her teacher suggested I take her to the doctor to see if something is making her extremely tired.  Her teacher is a good teacher, and she is in a very good class.  They do fun projects in school all the time, so it's not a boring environment (I've subbed it). 

We walked in, in two minutes I was told it could be ADHD, and I was asked if I'd like some medication.  I told him I hadn't explored my alternatives and he said, "There are no alternatives."  What?!!  Not only that, but I was told most places that test for ADHD don't accept our insurance, and those that do just let you walk in, say your child has it, and then you walk out.  What?!!  Seriously? 

So anyway, I had already thought it could be ADD inattentiveness (b/c of the trials I had homeschooling her and her current behavior), but I'm just not ready to medicate my child without more research and looking into all alternatives--and yes, there are alternatives.  More to come...I just had to put my thoughts in order for now!