Introduction to our homeschooling family

Hi, I just discovered this group on Gather. I am Bunny, mom of a soon-to-be 9 year old daughter, known here as the Lizzard. Whiny Boy is going to be 8 in September. WB as the Lizzard refers to him, is having some sort of trouble-ADD, ADHD, whatever. I am about to embark on the rollarcoaster of "What's he got that keeps him from enjoying home school?" diagnosis. I am a Registered Nurse. I have always mentally looked-down on parents who medicate their kids, have personally never known anyone whose child had this problem. But this is becoming a nightmare. In November I took the kids out of a magnet school. Both were above grade level, WB the most bored because he could do the assignments so fast, then had to sit with his head down until the others were finished. Now I can't get him to come to the breakfast table-turned-school table, even to discuss a field trip or shopping trip. He's started saying "I can't help it, I can't control my brain." We've been going to a Social Worker who doesn't believe in meds, but gave me a booklet that described WB to a T. I made him an appt to a new pediatrician as his favorite "doctor guy" left and he has suddenly developed a fear of shots. Hopefully we will find an organic cause of this, like thyroid problems, that can easily treated. Can anyone relate?

The Lizzard has had trouble reading since 1st grade. She "sees no need" for vowels, as she puts it. Her dad was the same way, I learned to decode his messages, but his problems kept him from trying for a decent job, long story short, he died almost 3 years ago. The school kept saying "She's upset about her dad, no reading problems" but never tested her. They were too overwhelmed by the No Child Left Behind &^%* to do much else. I don't believe in mandatory testing as the majority of the lesson focus. During the first week of school last year the kids came home talking about "stress reduction breathing for the test" that they learned, when was the test?? In the Spring! Yikes, a whole year of bashing my head against the wall with these people, no way!

OK, this is very long. I joined this group looking for fellowship, support, common sense ideas, and a few laughs would be helpful too. Thanks for listening (reading?)