I understand that hundreds of hackles will rise, some will spit fire, some will curse me, but I just need to ask something, because currently things don't sit comfortably with me.
For ref: I read a thread about how children behave in school and how many times on MN posters will say that their child is Autistic, ADHD, or some other new word for being different.
See, when my generation was at school (1970), we had the lively kids, the quiet kids, the ones who did brilliantly, and the ones who struggled (like me with maths).
The less academic kids were usually great at sport or music or art; the most brainy ones scooped up all the prizes at prize-giving, and that was that. Life was uncomplicated and many will agree the best time to be alive.
But when the teacher walked in, all went quiet. No one threw furniture, no one had trouble calming down, no one screamed or threw tantrums....it simply did not happen. We all seemed to be able to control our emotions and get on with things.
I am truly distressed and concerned (after years of working in a pharmacy) about how many children are now drugged up, suppressed, or out of control - all of which lead to an unhappy child and a very unhappy adult.
It just seems to be everywhere, and I have had parents come in to proudly announce the diagnosis of something as if it's a badge of honour. "At last someone is listening to us....at least we have a diagnosis" - the little one is either fiddling with something on the shelf or jumping on the scales or whatever. I used to say, "Don't do that, thank you," and they would stop.
I don't want to detract from real problems but so many posters here just claim one diversity or another or suggest that a child who is being wacky and noisy is ND (I hate that expression - honestly)
I know my generation is a pain in the a** in younger people's eyes because they think we know nothing, but if the child is overactive, let them swing from the washing line, run around in circles on a field, or dig a hole.
Not every child is going to be at the top of their class; please let your children be children.
Us old people are not stupid; we have had quite a few turns around the sun and sometimes I just despair of what the future generations are going to turn out like.
*Calling a taxi for one now