Is Your Child ODD?

Filed Under humor, pop culture, rants | 3 Comments

So today I was browsing the mommy boards when I came across a post by a woman who works in a children’s hospital. The topic was the rampant diagnoses of children with psychiatric problems like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Well, this woman remarked on the latest dubious psychiatric label: “Oppositional Defiant Disorder” - which she termed as: “You need your a$$ whooped!” I didn’t even believe that she was serious (and I don’t condone corporal punishment) but sure enough … from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (emphasis mine):

Children With Oppositional Defiant Disorder

No. 72; Updated December 1999

All children are oppositional from time to time, particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset. They may argue, talk back, disobey, and defy parents, teachers, and other adults. Oppositional behavior is often a normal part of development for two to three year olds and early adolescents. However, openly uncooperative and hostile behavior becomes a serious concern when it is so frequent and consistent that it stands out when compared with other children of the same age and developmental level and when it affects the child’s social, family, and academic life.

In children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), there is an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that seriously interferes with the youngster’s day to day functioning. Symptoms of ODD may include:

frequent temper tantrums

excessive arguing with adults

active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules

deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people

blaming others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior

often being touchy or easily annoyed by others

frequent anger and resentment

mean and hateful talking when upset

seeking revenge

The symptoms are usually seen in multiple settings, but may be more noticeable at home or at school. Five to fifteen percent of all school‑age children have ODD. The causes of ODD are unknown, but many parents report that their child with ODD was more rigid and demanding than the child’s siblings from an early age. Biological and environmental factors may have a role.

Click on link above for more, including the possible “treatments” - which mainly seem to be GOOD PARENTING. Seriously … what will it be next? And those percentages seems very high! And wow - “biological and environmental factors may have a role?” Ya think? I mean, what ELSE would have a role if not one or both of those things?

**flabbergasted**

Popularity: 28% [?]

Jul

7

Who Knew the Common Cold Could Be So Cute?

Filed Under humor | 6 Comments

I know it’s been two months since my last post, and to re-enter the blogging world with a post about plushies that look like viruses and bacteria may not make much sense … but this is just too adorable for words.

I think we will definitely have to get one of these for our child …. Or maybe for me.

Images courtesy of ThinkGeek.

Popularity: 29% [?]

May

25

Never Tell Your Wife …

Filed Under humor, lil things, love | 4 Comments

… Catfish photo, courtesy of the Eldredge Elementary School (RI) website. that she looks like a catfish - unless you’re okay with the fallout. Sometimes my husband says the darndest things, and I don’t mind. Sure, I was puzzled - but oddly flattered - when he said that my face reminded him of a bee’s. Okay … what do bee’s faces look like, anyway? But I’ve always liked bees as much as any insect, so whatever. Then, when I started growing my hair out again, he told me I looked like a lioness. That agreed with my idealized notion of myself, so I kissed him for that one. But then, when I had braids, he put one of them off to the side of my nose, and remarked playfully, “You look like … a catfish.” Needless to say, THAT was a mistake.

Instantly, I recalled childhood memories of giant, murky colored catfish with blubbery, hairy lips lying dead on ice at the fish markets in Queens. The association (in my mind) of catfish with bottom feeders and cheap eats, made my face contort. . I kept sputtering, “A catfish? A CATfish? What?! You think I look like a … What are you … what are you … what … how can you SAY THAT?!”

He didn’t know what hit him. It wasn’t until I Googled up a photograph of a catfish for the LH, that I saw a little light go on behind his eyes, as he realized the error of his ways. Now, although I’ve forgiven him for it, and was never genuinely angry, I love to bring it up every few days. “You told me I look like a catfish.” And he always protests, “No, I said you reminded me of a catfish ….” Mmm hmm.

I’m thinking that for Christmas, I’ll put a photograph of a catfish in one of those nice “My Darling Wife” frames, and give it to him.

*photo of catfish courtesy of webpage of Eldredge Elementary School in Rhode Island.

Popularity: 53% [?]

Feb

22

My Queendom for a Dunkin Donut

Filed Under humor, lil things | 8 Comments

Yesterday afternoon, I abruptly got up from the computer and walked down the stairs. The LH was sitting on the couch, coding; his mother was in the dining room, highlighting a medical textbook. Without a clue as to what I was going to say, I announced: “I need some donuts.” And strangely enough, when I check UUpdates today I find all of these posts about donuts!!!! How did y’all know what was on my mind? Unfortunately, where I live (the Pacific NW of the USA), donut shops are becoming extinct. We have maybe ten shops, including independent ones. But we do have a Vegan Vietnamese restaurant. *sigh* Too bad that’s not what I’m craving.

Incidentally, the meme figured out exactly my favorite type of donut - glazed. I prefer Dunkin Donuts to Krispy Kreme, hands down. What I wouldn’t give for a cakey, glazed donut (or two) right now. I swear there’s a whiff of it coming from somewhere (my imagination?)!!!

You Are a Glazed Donut

Okay, you know that you’re plain - and you’re cool with that.
You prefer not to let anything distract from your sweetness.
Your appeal is understated yet universal. Everyone dig you.
And in a pinch, you’ll probably get eaten.

What Donut Are You?

Popularity: 20% [?]

Feb

3

Another Question About Obama Supporters

Filed Under current affairs, humor, lil things, politics, questions | 6 Comments

Over at Making Chutney, Chance asks the question: why are so many UU bloggers for Obama? I have another question about Obama supporters, prompted by my (now third) viewing of the will.i.am video, “Yes, We Can.”

Why are they all so damned good-looking? I mean, have you seen the video? Hill Harper almost killed me, esp. with his adorably clueless Obama t-shirt - dude, do you realize that it looks like you’re wearing your OWN face on your chest?

And then they had to throw in Enrique Murciano from Without A Trace, all sulky with his Cuban eyes looking into mine as he emphatically whispers: “Si podemos.” Yes, we can, Enrique!!! And I want to!

Well, unlike Chance, I never have answers to my own questions. However, my devious imagination envisions some poorly lit and far-flung corner of our nation where every day, airplanes drop off confused loads of sartorially-challenged, lumpy headed people clasping tightly to their Obama ‘08 buttons.

Popularity: 32% [?]