Two of my favorite resources to donate clothes, housewares, etc. are

THEY COME TO YOUR HOUSE. IT'S AMAZING!

The Vietnam Veterans of America:

http://scheduleapickup.com/

The Epilepsy Foundation of New England:

http://donateclothes.epilepsynewengland.org/massachusetts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=donate%2520clothes%2520ma&utm_campaign=donate%2520clothes%2520ma

These are my two favorites because they are very easy to schedule, come to your house, and take more than most services. I’ve used them both and find them to be reliable about coming when they are supposed to. And, the Epilepsy Foundation has recently added drop off locations, if that’s your thing. You can also see a map of those at the above link.

I deal with lots of kids who are super stressed about the SATs and the ramifications. A lot of them take classes, endless practice test, read books, make flash cards, and generally drive themselves crazy. I’m not saying that some kids don’t benefit from a little studying. But, the way most kids get wound up about the test can’t be helpful. I would wager that they lose more points from the test taking anxiety than they gain from much of the studying.

My philosophy was to be super chill about it. I had bigger fish to fry focusing on my classes. I figured I either knew it or not. I took the same approach to my SAT II’s and my AP. I never took a class, read a book, did a practice test, or made a single flash card. I just made sure to learn my stuff in school, get a good night's sleep and eat a solid high protein breakfast. The result was that I went into that room with no pressure, stress, or anxiety. And, that let my brain do its cognitive best without any interference.

Results:

World History SAT II - conveniently can’t remember because it was bad. Class hadn’t prepared me for it. My parents asked me if I wanted to study and retake it. I laughed.

SAT - Eng: 720, Math: 690

US History SAT II - 730

US History AP - 3 or a 4 can’t remember exactly, but a credit-earning grade either way

English/Writing SAT II - 780

I don't mention these scores to toot my own horn. I have always tested well. I honestly believe that if I had studied and got all wound up I may not have done as well. Unscientific, yes. But, sometimes I can color outside the lines.

Standard Disclaimer:

In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.

I have a seven-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl. For me this is a study in developmental comparison. These kids couldn’t be much different. It is hard as a parent to not compare them to each other and to compare them to their peer group. I see this all the time with my clients and with their families. ADHD folks develop at their own rate. It is often said that ADHD kids are two to four years behind in maturity. I agree with this, but with an important caveat. That is that these kids may be super immature in some areas but very mature in other areas. You might be able to have an in depth philosophical conversation with an ADHD 11 year old as if he/she were an adult. Then that same kid might, for example, moon the whole neighborhood from the bus on the way to school the next day. (Side note: I was that kid. Good thing I didn’t take the bus. That one wasn’t autobiographical.)

Anyway, I was thinking the other day about some examples that I can point to about folks who developed at their own rate and came out just fine. I thought I would share one such story with you.

My Dad did not learn to read until third grade. They were just about to put him the “special” classes when his neighbor, who was a wonderful woman and a retired school teacher, stepped in and give him one on one attention. It worked and subsequently, my dad graduated from Brown with degree in Classics, wrote a play that was produced off Broadway, was a high school English teacher for 30 years, and is one of the most voracious readers I know.

I have always loved this story because it reminds me to be patient with myself. Now it helps me be patient with my children as well.

Standard Disclaimer:

In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.