I took the dogs to the dog park early this morning, after dropping Jack off at daycare.  Jack was happy to go, they're riding the double decker bus into Edmonton today.  Very exciting.  Yesterday, they went to Sherwood Park Mall and all the kids got to buy themselves lunch.  Also, very exciting.  I got gas at Costco after I dropped Jack off at daycare, also exciting?

This afternoon I have to pick Katie up and take her to see her family doctor.  Katie has been having a very hard time this past month, months. We tried putting her on birth control pills to stop her periods and perhaps stop her PMS which seems to be getting worse as she gets older.  Her periods didn't stop and her behaviors have gotten worse, which I'm guessing means the PMS is worse for her.  It's hard to tell, she doesn't understand and can't tell us, except with her behavior.

Katie has been evicted from two group homes because of her behaviors, so an escalation in behaviors makes me worry.  I don't really know what to do.  I'm going to talk to the doctor about other options like depo-provera, an implant, or even a total hysterectomy.  All of the options have their own side effects and down sides, and I feel torn about what to do.  Mostly, I don't want to see Katie suffer, or have to move again.

When Katie's upset she attacks other people, pulling their hair, or in one instance last month, bashing somebody at the gym with her wheelchair.  She also breaks things, strips off her clothes, urinates on the floor, and bangs her head against the wall or floor.  The staff try to stop her as quickly as possible but Katie has permanent scars on her forehead from banging it against things.  

So, what now?  I don't know.  I just really don't know.  

On the upside, Jack's behavior has improved radically with less screen time and more exercise.  I'm trying to play more games with him, to help him learn concepts like turn taking, counting, waiting, impulse control, and not being a asshole when you lose or win.  He spent a night last weekend at his grandma's house, saw his mama, and came home with a fair bit of attitude, but I told him that wasn't going to work with us.  He settled down pretty quickly.

There is also a ten week course being offered through AHS which teaches kids and parents/guardians, new skills such as making friends (for the kids I'm hoping) and dealing with ADHD issues (for the parents I'm hoping).  So we'll sign up for that, and Jack and I will go to it.

I saw this on Margaret's blog and loved it, so I stole it.  Thanks Margaret.

I'm avoiding the news as best I can, trying to get fresh air and exercise, and even worked for five hours yesterday.  

Update.  Katie saw the doctor, we've stopped her birth control pills for now and will wait to see if her behavior changes.  Katie sees her psychiatrist next Friday and her family doctor suggested we talk to him about medication changes.  Depo-Provera is a hard no because of osteoporosis and weight gain.  She also didn't like the idea of a hysterectomy at all.  I think I'm just scared of her being evicted but the staff last night assured me that Katie's behavior is far from the worst they've seen and she will not be evicted.  I want a quick fix, when there are no quick fixes.  Sigh.  Sixty-two and still learning that one:)