Love and Hygiene In his eight years of life, my son Sam has never been one to be very concerned about his personal hygiene. For most of his life he has been one of those kids you have to beg to take a bath, beg to comb his hair and brush his teeth. In the past couple of months however, he has been much better about personal hygiene. He has even gone so far as to brush his teeth without being asked.

Up until recently I credited his ADHD treatment and Concerta with his surge in personal hygiene. However, I changed my mind about that last week. When I got home from my home group Thursday night, he was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. When he saw me he spit out his toothpaste and said, “Mom why don’t we have any mouth wash?” “I don’t know honey, I guess your Dad and I just do not use it,” I answered. Then he looked at me serious as a heart attack and said, “well, we really should get some.”

I knew then and there that no amount of medication could bring on a psychic change like that. “It’s a girl,” I said to myself. And for once my assumption turned out to be right, I will call her Isabella. I am just happy that he brushes his teeth.  ¶ 10/16/2007 04:34:00 AM