Here we go!

We start tomorrow! I show up with my boy and a check for $4900, after putting down a deposit of $500 in November. That's in addition to the $300 we payed for the ridiculous assessment test. More on that later, if you're interested. He'll go three times a week, one hour each session. Brain Balance is a franchise business that says this about themselves on their website (http://www.brainbalancecenters.com/): The Brain Balance Program® is an individualized and comprehensive approach to helping children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties surmount their unique challenges.

Here is what I hope we get out of it:

• Easy homework takes 15 minutes of work, instead of 15 minutes of work and two hours of staring/rolling/slumping/tapping pencils/singing/whining/chit-chatting/walking around
• Less disruptive, goofing off behavior at school
• Ability to remember and perform three or more tasks given to him at once (now I have to ask him to do things one at a time, & maybe I can get two "get your socks on and brush your teeth." Usually I send him back to his room for one task, and find him playing with Mario figures, or drawing/writing ten minutes later)
• Not so ready with the word No when I ask him to do something. Luckily he limits this to me and doesn't share it with his teachers, and he winds up what doing what I asked without a fuss, but almost always his first response is No. Booger.

And that's it. Focus and willingness. Is that too much to ask? I know I could put him on ADHD meds and be done with it, but while we have the money, I want to exhaust other options first. (Well, not all other options. Chris says, "More beatings!")

Wish us luck!

Christopher would like to add to our list

• willingness to try new foods
• less anger & sulkiness when honest, gentle, constructive criticism is offered