Over the last few years I have felt a world of emotions about the drugs we have given our son. The first time our developmental pediatrician recommended putting him on Ritalin, I said, "No way!" My knowledge of stimulant medication for ADHD was limited to the horror stories I had heard in the news. That should have been my first clue to do my own research.

After reading numerous articles about this type of drug, I realized we had little to lose and a lot to gain by trying it. If it wasn't going to work, we would know quickly and could look at other options. Convincing my husband was a little more difficult. He had heard the same stories and was convinced our children should be drug free unless it was a matter of life and death.

The next day he discussed our dilemma with a colleague whose son is autistic. He told my husband if there was a pill that could make his son's life better, he wouldn't hesitate to give it him. After all, don't our kids deserve the best possible life we can provide for them? Those words made my husband reconsider his position.

Once we were in agreement, we gave our son a small dose ... 2.5 mg. I watched him closely and waited to see if anything was going to happen. Those may well have been the longest 22 minutes of my life. But then it happened. The child who had been bouncing off the walls a few moments earlier, grew calm and focused. It was amazing and beautiful and I cried.

Since that day we have tried numerous medications for ADHD, anxiety, sleep issues, and a few other problems. For our son, stimulant medication has made the biggest difference in his life. Being able to focus improves his confidence and self-esteem. Just this afternoon I asked him how his medicines make him feel. He said, "I feel better. I feel in control." That's a very powerful message from an 8 year-old.

When our daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, again I hesitated. She was only in pre-school, and her teachers didn't see any problems in her behavior. We waited a few months but ended up putting her on medicine anyway because of her behavior problems at home. It made a tremendous difference for her too.

For parents who are hesitant to try Ritalin or any of the other stimulant meds for ADHD, I recommend doing your homework. Research the drug being prescribed. Ask lots of questions. Arm yourself with information, especially if you child is old enough to understand the purpose of the medicine. You may not see this as a case of life and death, but to a child ... especially a teenager ... to whom fitting in means everything, it is.