It took my 20 some odd years to find a doctor I trusted! She is also one of my closest friends. She is actually the one who helped me out on the dosage for the OTC allergy meds when the pediatrician was being a moron. It wasn't TOTALLY without doctors approval, just not the pediatrician's. I also have a very strong background in alternative medicine and do a lot of unofficial advising fro friends and family. The particular medicine I used is deemed safe for newborns and pregnant women so it would have been hard to screw it up.

Generally unless you are SURE of what is going on and KNOW that what you are going to try is safe with almost no chance of side effects don't medicate without a doctor's ok. Most doctors will give OTC ok's and even dosages for young children over the phone. Tylonal (aceitominiphen sp? lazy...), for instance, is fatal in large doses even for adults so be careful when mixing OTC's when you or your kids are sick. Lots of the mixed ones contain Tylonal. Public service announcement is now over.

Jen - I just wanted to say good luck with your new approaches next week. DSalmost6 is a stubborn mule with me, if I attempt to "teach" him anything, which is why I cannot homeschool him (or part of it). So kudos to you for sticking with it!

And I just wanted to add (didn't read everyone's responses so sorry if it's duplicated) not to forget about "recess". While kids all need structure and structured physical activities, they also need their "free" time, both for mental creativity and physical activity. It can be structured in that it's the same time every day, but it doesn't have to be an official lesson or preplanned activity, etc.

So true! This week is going so much better! When I start seeing frustration or if ds is losing interest, we switch gears, go for a walk, go to the park, etc, and then we come home and start fresh. I think I underestimate how much physical activitiy ds needs, and free play is his favorite kind!

[quote=JenSMP
So true! This week is going so much better! When I start seeing frustration or if ds is losing interest, we switch gears, go for a walk, go to the park, etc, and then we come home and start fresh. I think I underestimate how much physical activitiy ds needs, and free play is his favorite kind! [/quote]

So glad to hear this! That's a great policy you have there.
Grinity