>> I think that, in general, encouraging a child's best efforts is a good thing, and the best way of finding out what they can, and can't do. And if encouraging best effort shows they can't keep quiet in class, now you know that - and can set appropriate goals. On the other hand if it shows they can, great - problem solved. That's part of being a parent - helping children realize they can do more than they think, sometimes. <<

It's great, if people try things and adapt if those don't work. I have seen less of this than I would like.

>> I take strong stimulants. I just told you that. And I'm really pissed off that you're telling me what you're afraid they're like, <<

Sorry the part where I upset you.

>> when you're sitting on the outside, and I'm sitting here on the inside, and could actually *tell* you some things if you *asked*. <<

I said, if they work for you, that's great. You're not the only friend I've got who finds such things life-improving. I'm glad they exist for people who find them helpful.

I also have friends who have found them life-destroying. A majority of those folks had no choice in the matter, and are now stuck with very serious consequences of other people's decisions about their bodies. Some of these folks have agitated for less drugging of children. I look at the rates of drug use on children -- many of these that weren't even tested on children, but were intended for adults originally -- and this concerns me. Sometimes it works out well, other times it's a disaster. I sympathize with the times it doesn't go well.

Since my own experiences with drugs have been iffy -- there are a lot that don't work right for me, and not so many that perform exactly as advertised -- this inclines me to be cautious.