THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017
FEATURES
Fight over ADD medication
Dear Annie: My 7-year-old our son to take the medica-
son was diagnosed with attention tion. He feels that our son is too
deficit disorder last year. Before “robotic,” and he doesn’t want
then, my husband and I thought to “drug him up.” I don’t blame
for a while that he just had “a lot him for his reservations; he spent
of energy” and had trouble grasp- a few years as a teenager trying
ing some things in school, like different medications, and vir-
tually every one pro-
all kids at some point or
DEAR
duced difficult side
another. But he started fall-
effects. He has lived
ing behind significantly,
ANNIE
his life without medi-
to the point where class-
cation. (Don’t get me
mates were calling him
started on that, either.)
stupid. (Don’t even get me
I feel that staying on
started on those kids.) My
this track is the best
poor son’s self-esteem just
for our son and that
plummeted, and he began
my husband is pro-
getting easily frustrated
Lane
jecting his experi-
with his work. Since the Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
ence on our son. Do
diagnosis, we’ve tried put-
you see a compromise
ting him on a low dosage of
medication. It’s made a world of here? Or is this a no-brainer? —
difference. He is not only follow- Concerned Mom
Dear Concerned: No way
ing along in school but also able
to hold an actual conversation is this a no-brainer. Decisions
with us and his peers and stay on involving children and medica-
task. Previously, when I would tion are often complicated and
ask him to brush his teeth before always require careful consider-
bed, on his way to the bathroom, ation. Every case is different, and
he’d find a new Lego to unpack I can’t say for sure what the best
and then go to the kitchen pantry choice for your son is. I would
recommend that you go to a
to see about a snack.
The problem is that my hus- licensed therapist whom you and
band also has ADD, and after a your husband agree on and seek
few months of this success, he his or her professional opinion
just told me he no longer wants on the matter.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: Your advice to
“Tired and Exhausted” — whose
son is struggling with addiction
— was good but incomplete. As
a parent of two people who were
addicts for a very long time (both
are sober now), I’d like to rec-
ommend Learn to Cope. This
is a wonderful support group
started by Joanne Peterson in
2004, and it has over 7,000
members. Though it is based in
Massachusetts, the organization
holds meetings in several loca-
tions, and its website alone is a
wealth of information. (Check
it out at http://www.learn2cope.
org.) Anyone who joins (it’s free)
can post questions and receive
great peer support. “Tired and
Exhausted” could also call 508-
738-5148 to speak to a member
of the Learn to Cope staff. —
Mom Who’s Been There
Dear Mom: Thank you for
sharing. I had not heard of this
organization, but I’ve made a
note of it for future reference.
And in case Learn to Cope
doesn’t have a meeting in your
area, I’d again like to mention
Nar-Anon Family Groups. It is a
terrific organization offering sup-
port for anyone who loves some-
one who suffers from addiction.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are so many
reasons to spend time with the people who
make you laugh. First of all, it’s more fun. Sec-
ondly, you’ll get the added benefit of sharpening
your own sense of humor, which helps many
areas of your life.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Solitude is not
necessarily isolation. Just because you want
to be alone doesn’t mean you are alone. Your
favorite people will be the ones who understand
and honor your need for peace and quiet,
which is intensified now.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ve been given
the raw goods but not much in the way of in-
struction. That’s fine. It’s actually better this way.
You’ll build it into something that’s all yours and
utterly different from what others expected.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In musical
terms, when two unharmonious notes are
played together and cause tension that goes
unresolved, it’s called “dissonance.” Today it
happens in nonmusical areas, too, intensifying
a craving for resolution.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Parents fully ap-
preciate what it takes to get other (sometimes
unwilling) people dressed, ready and where
they need to be at the expected time. You’ll
have a similar responsibility today.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Everyone gets
lost. This is especially easy to do today regard-
ing the seemingly minor matters of good taste.
If you’re attracted to something and you love
it, it can’t be all bad. And maybe it’s very right.
Start there.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Life is complicated
enough without any help from an overactive
mind and imagination. When you feel yourself
edging toward unnecessary “what if” scenarios,
stop before you start.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It is very important
to obey your thirst. The scientists suggest that
by the time you realize you are thirsty and go
searching for water you are already dehydrated.
The same goes for your thirst for certain kinds
of attention.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The others may
believe that a mystical and elusive force is at
your command, but the reality is that you have
purposefully trained to increase your capacity
to produce brilliant results.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Don’t take
your senses for granted, as exploring the
textures and processes of life will amplify your
joy. And if there’s a part of your everyday world
that’s an eyesore, this is the day to handle it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). In order to
accomplish a lofty aim, you’ll need to solve
a problem not just once but perpetually. This
will take stamina. There are a few habits and
structures in your life that could be fine-tuned to
accommodate the goal.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Matters of scale
will affect the social swirl. What seems to you
to be a small effort could be quite large in the
mind of one who endeavored it. Measure not
with rulers and scales but with social aware-
ness.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (March 17). You’ll
be surprised and inspired. You’ll make the first
move often this year and the second one, too
— then the universe answers with move No.
3 and soon all the world seems to be moving
either for you or out of your way. The road forks
in May. Money comes in lump sums in August
and October. Aquarius and Libra adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 7, 20, 44, 19 and 38.