To Melatonin or Not to Melatonin

          So, recently there is controversy on the over the counter supplement, melatonin. Just as there seems to be with everything these days. Most everything man-made mind you. But I'm put in quite a predicament here. My 9 year old has to attend school. And in order to attend school he has to 'conform'. Being ADHD, this means being placed on some form or Ritalin to help him concentrate on his school work. I'd been iffy about placing him on medication for a long time before I finally broke down and did what I surely would have been eventually forced to do... or home school him. I've debated home schooling him too, truth be told. Anyways, ever since he was placed on these pills, I've noticed a significant change in his sleeping patterns. Basically, he wouldn't sleep. I usually wouldn't know it though. God love him he stays up in his room, tossing and turning, trying to find sleep amidst the tangle of blankets he forms each night.

Melatonin - No Magic Pill For Kids, CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/ID/2395998824/

What to do?

I have went to his doctor. It has been prescribed. I had recently been wondering if he needs to take more. Was waiting for his next doctors visit to inquire about this.

He has a fairly early bedtime. I will be allowing an hour or so of quiet reading. See how that works out.

Our Life:

          So I went to bed just before midnight the other night. Led in bed. It was dark. I was just after watching another handful of shows during a 3 day marathon - those real life crime shows. The ones that make you question what kind of people are out there. People who break in and walk up your stairs to your bedroom as you lay alseep all unexpected like. Well, my stairs, they creak. And as I lay in bed this is what I hear. Clearly someone is coming up them. My body. It stiffens, as I strain my ears in hopes of hearing a completely different sound. One that ISN'T my creaky stairs. But another creaking sound confirms my notion that clearly someone was coming up them. Yes of course the kid jumps into my mind. But as I've mentioned, he stays up in his room god love him! I jump up, unsure but it must be him. right? I hadn't heard him go DOWN though. Edging my way to the top of the steps....Alas, it is him. I musta dozed off for a few minutes to not hear him descend the creaky ol' steps. Startled and half asleep, still half confused, I ask him. Aiden, what in gods name are you doing up at midnight? It's dark out. I'm in bed asleep. You must know that it's not time to be getting up yet!?

          "I was petting the cat" he says. Petting the cat. At midnight. In the dark. Downstairs. At 9 years old you wouldn't catch me in the dark of the house away from anyone else! Yes, every light would be blaring in my wake at 9 years old! But yesssss, midnight. Seems like a normal time to be at that stuff. Cat needed a good pet I'm sure.