Guest Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 A woman at my church has suggested a few times that I give my son caffeine in the morning and I wanted to investigate her suggestion. My son is a sweet guy but has tons of energy. Somewhat immature, but very sharp. He likes to talk. A lot. This woman said her sons were similar and she would give them just a bit of caffeine in the mornings that would balance out their mind and body. I 'm not looking for negative words about my friend, I would just like to know if this idea is anything that anyone has heard of before. I don't like the idea, but I am open so I am investigating. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Caffeine can help kids with ADHD. It's a stimulant and for whatever reason it's stimulants that help ADHD kids control themselves. It could be worth a try. I'm honestly not sure if I would do it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrn Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 This was the cure for my dh when he was a kid before ADHD had a name. Doc told mil to give him coffee in the am and he was able to concentrate better at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I don't think it would hurt to try for a week or so. If you try it, I hope you post back and let everyone know whether it worked or not. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 The only time I have given my kids coffee, and it is seldom, it when I want them to wake up!! :D ( No one judge me, you know you have done it too! ;)) Granted it is only 1/2 a cup and half of that is milk and sugar. It does the trick, and they are bright eyed and ready for the morning school work! Taking a few laps around the yard works well too! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Yes, it is definitely worth a try. It's also been recommended for kids with asthma. My kids are not restricted from coffee. It is not dangerous or anything. In some countries, kids typically drink it every day. I read that in Mexico they added iodine to coffee (like they do to salt in the US) because more kids drink coffee than eat added salt. Let us know if it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 My son has major ADHD. He bounces off walls. I tried the soda thing and it made him ten times worse. He also has tourettes so I am not sure if that makes it any different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I do better with a bit of caffeine on board. My husband doesn't. I tried my son on a bit, and his mental focus went WAY up. It was the best math session we've ever had. But, we are doing okay without it and I'm not planning on doing it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 My oldest ds drinks caffeine (usually coffee) instead of stimulant medication for ADHD. He has previously been on Concerta, but it had too many negative side effects for him. Caffeine helps him focus enough that we can forgo the Concerta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Caffeine does help some high-energy children focus. It works wonders on DS. (I tend to give him a few chocolate covered coffee beans w/breakfast.) I have heard others talk about mini-trampolines, but that was a disaster for DS - just wound him up more. Caffeine may be similar - what works for one, doesn't work for another. But you won't know unless you give it a try. I'm pretty much a 'natural' mother, so was pretty put off at the thought of giving a young child caffeine. Now, four years later, I don't bat an eye at giving him a cup of coffee. :lol: Activities that are good for energy/focus issues: Chess Tennis Golf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Just one thought on that is I would want to make sure you find a caffeine source without dyes and preservatives which are linked to Adhd symptoms for some kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 My son has major ADHD. He bounces off walls. I tried the soda thing and it made him ten times worse. He also has tourettes so I am not sure if that makes it any different. Soda has other things in it that can cause reactions. When I recommended trying caffeine, I was thinking coffee without any fancy additives. My kids drink what I drink - organic instant coffee with organic skim milk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) A woman at my church has suggested a few times that I give my son caffeine in the morning and I wanted to investigate her suggestion. My son is a sweet guy but has tons of energy. Somewhat immature, but very sharp. He likes to talk. A lot. This woman said her sons were similar and she would give them just a bit of caffeine in the mornings that would balance out their mind and body. I 'm not looking for negative words about my friend, I would just like to know if this idea is anything that anyone has heard of before. I don't like the idea, but I am open so I am investigating. :) I tried coffee for ds8, and it increased his energy. Dh takes a boy out every week, and I can always tell when ds8 has something with caffeine in it to drink because he's bouncing (not off the walls, but literally jumping up and down and incapable of standing still) and he talks non-stop. He bounces and talks almost non-stop when he's not on caffeine. It's quite entertaining, but not exactly the effect I was going for. Anyway, you can give it a try but there is a good chance it will have the opposite effect. There's no way ds8 could do school on caffeine, but I had to try it. Edited April 22, 2012 by JudoMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 A bit of chocolate does help my son chill out and focus in the morning. We are not coffee drinkers, so I do not have any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 :bigear: Interesting. I might try this with Rebecca, who could use some help focusing. How much do you give a 9yo? Maybe half a small mug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc26 Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 DS1 (Aspie, ADD) has a coke every afternoon to get him through the second half of the day. I do spike it with a 1/2 tsp of Behavior Balance (a liquid vitamin with b6/p5p, b12 and folic acid) This combo has been terrific for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 The only time I have given my kids coffee, and it is seldom, it when I want them to wake up!! :D ( No one judge me, you know you have done it too! ;)) Granted it is only 1/2 a cup and half of that is milk and sugar. It does the trick, and they are bright eyed and ready for the morning school work! Taking a few laps around the yard works well too! :001_smile: I AM judging you. I would never give coffee to my children! They get Irish breakfast tea with milk and sugar because coffee is yucky. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I haven't read the other replies, but I can say that my son does have ADD, and caffeine makes our world a whole lot better. :D My dd is high energy, but coffee makes her wilder, so I don't consider her true ADD. When we finally gave my son an espresso (he was 7), it was amazing. He was able to zip out his school work in record time (for him), simply because he could FOCUS. He was so amazed, and told me it was "like all the static in his brain was turned down." But, the caffeine did need an increase in dosage, and he now is on Adderall. Without it, school would take him 15 hours a day; with it, he finishes in 9 (he's very slow at all he does). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 It does help my son, who has ADHD but is underweight so we won't do meds. I've started allowing him a coke a day and it has really helped. In fact, if we are having a bad day with school and don't have any in the house I will go to the drive through to get him one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 How long before starting school work do you give your child caffeine? Is there enough in tea, or would it have to be coke or coffee? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I AM judging you. I would never give coffee to my children!They get Irish breakfast tea with milk and sugar because coffee is yucky. :D This is what I have been giving DS1. I tried very nice lattes with hazelnut, both warm and iced, but no dice. So I moved on to tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Caffeine can help kids with ADHD. It's a stimulant and for whatever reason it's stimulants that help ADHD kids control themselves. It could be worth a try. I'm honestly not sure if I would do it or not. I would try this with my 7yo if I could get him to drink coffee. Honestly, I actually have much better focus myself when I have coffee. I might just be an addict, though ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I grew up taking Ritalin during the school year, and Dr. Pepper in the summer. :p The stimulant effect can calm some children down, while revving others up. I think her suggestion is valid, though you'd never know unless you tried it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Some folks use it as an alternative to stimulant medications for ADHD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 It is an herbal remedy for ADHD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Huh. Sometimes I feel really stupid for asking a question, and sometimes I am shocked at the fascinating answers I get. How interesting, I am definitely going to think about this. Thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 OP, If school is going well and you don't see a need for the coffee, don't give it. If you do see a need for something to calm him and improve focus, here are two other options that work in my home: 1. Eggs for breakfast (i.e. protein) 2. Massage feet with diluted cedarwood essential oil at night and wear warm socks. We found this improves our sleep and makes us more focussed the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 OP,If school is going well and you don't see a need for the coffee, don't give it. If you do see a need for something to calm him and improve focus, here are two other options that work in my home: 1. Eggs for breakfast (i.e. protein) 2. Massage feet with diluted cedarwood essential oil at night and wear warm socks. We found this improves our sleep and makes us more focussed the next day. Nansk I have some questions about the cedar oil. What is the benefit of applying it to the feet as opposed to the back of the neck or temples? What do you dilute the oil with and at what ratio? Also, I'm looking at Amazon and there's two different types, one is Moroccan (aka Atlantic Cedar) the other is Virginian cedarwood. Which is preferable? My 10yo's sleeping habits are taking a turn for the worse lately and I'd like to try something else besides Natural Calm. Thanks. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 No idea if it would help but my girls have been morning tea drinkers for years. I don't think a little caffeine is harmful, in fact, I am not certain a ton of it is, but I do know a cheery cup of tea starts the day off nicely and it is packed with antioxidants. It's always seemed to make the morning go a bit more nicely for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 (edited) Nansk I have some questions about the cedar oil. What is the benefit of applying it to the feet as opposed to the back of the neck or temples? What do you dilute the oil with and at what ratio? Also, I'm looking at Amazon and there's two different types, one is Moroccan (aka Atlantic Cedar) the other is Virginian cedarwood. Which is preferable? I'll be honest. I googled to see if any essential oil would help my dd sit still and focus. All the sites I found - such as this one - mention three EOs : vetiver, cedarwood and lavendar. All sites mention massaging the feet (especially the big toe), because important nerves end in the feet (same reason for accupresure therapy). Vetiver is said to be the most effective and cedarwood is more effective than lavendar. The local shop I buy from didn't have vetiver then, so I ordered cedarwood. I think she buy it in bulk from Majestic Mountain Sage which is a safe site. I am very satisfied with the results, both for my dd and myself. I also searched for threads on the forum here and PMed a couple of members who mentioned using EOs, and I didn't get a response from them. But after using cedarwood EO, I don't think I will need any other recommendations. Hope this is somewhat helpful. ETA: Sorry, forgot to answer some of your questions. These were exactly the questions I asked the other members, but am now going by my own gut feel. What do you dilute the oil with and at what ratio? I put 10-15 drops EO in 4 ounces of carrier oil. I think you can use whichever carrrier oil you have on hand. Mine is currently a mix of jojoba, macadamia nut and rice bran oil. I don't think it matters much. there's two different types, one is Moroccan (aka Atlantic Cedar) the other is Virginian cedarwood. Which is preferable? I checked back on the website I buy from and they have Virginian cedarwood EO. I see they also have Vetiver EO now. You may want to read the info on this page. Edited April 24, 2012 by nansk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I give my kids tea in the morning on game days, since we get them up early to get to the field. It seems to help with focus during the games, too. It never occurred to me that giving kids coffee (which I don't, only because I don't want to share) or tea would be... judge-able. I mean, it obviously is *here*, just like shopping cart, crock pots, and shoes in the house, but it still never occurred to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 We are doing 1 cup of tea in the morning and I have always advocated for caffeine over neurological drugs. However, a speaker (expertise twice exceptional with an ADHD son of her own) at the midwest convention did point out that those same drugs are at least brain targeted and not affecting the whole body presumably. I still think if one cup of coffee does it, that's got to be better than drugs that have not been studied very long in children and the added side effects. But it's a new thought to ponder. Brownie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchel210 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 We had always used a cup of coffee for my son. Did wonders for keeping him focused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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