ADHD and the FierceFamily

I can’t help it. I really love my labeler.

I read that statement and think, “Criminy - get a LIFE!” But I have a life, and that is precisely why I love my labeler. When you can’t keep things in your head, you have to write them down somewhere, right? So, we made this huge calendar to keep track of all of the crazy daily stuff we need to know. For example, is it P.E. day (in which case, one must wear gym shoes) or “media” day (in which case, one must frantically ransack the house seeking the missing library book)? Or, is the school lunch both vegetarian and edible today or must we pack a lunch? And, who, exactly, is taking care of Non and Row today?

So, we got this white board, drew six weeks worth of squares on it (in permanent ink), and were ready to rock and roll (or, at least, to show up most places we’re supposed to be). But it’s overwhelming. Plus, dry erase markers actually erase permanent marker on white boards. You also have to re-write all of the regularly occurring stuff (e.g., Row buys pizza every Friday).

Here’s what I did. I printed out all of the regularly occurring stuff on 1/2 inch wide tape on my labeler:

• Row buys lunch
• Tim works from home
• Allergy shots
• T— w/kids
• Band practice

and so on. Then I attached the labels to magnets, and trimmed them with scissors. Voila - recurring events.

<–This is a single day up close.

And this is June and the beginning of July. –>

My favorite part is that sometimes it looks like we’re totally organized. We never are. But I’m soothed by this illusion. The sense that all is orderly, and calm, and fits in a nice predictable rectangle.

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