momma mommy bwuh

Lately, Boy1 has been raising a finger to the side of his head, twirling it around, and saying, “hoo-hoo” — that familiar gesture for “crazy.” It makes me giggle every time, but it also tugs at my heart a little. I can’t help but wonder if he’s more aware than we realize when his brain feels fuzzy — and if it bothers him.

Before he started ADHD medication, and sometimes when we run out (see The Med Check Shuffle for how we narrowly avoided that once!), Boy1 struggled with severe inattention. It wasn’t just spacing out for a minute or two — he was completely not present. Combine that with his seizures, and there were times when even simple tasks became impossible, and learning came to a standstill.

Mornings are still the hardest. Before his medication kicks in, his mind can be foggy, and getting ready can turn into a 20-minute adventure. What should be a simple routine — getting dressed, brushing teeth — often requires constant prompting and gentle redirection. These are the moments when “hoo-hoo” usually makes an appearance.

And honestly, I love that he finds humor in it. He thinks “hoo-hoo” is funny, and I love that he can laugh at the quirks of his brain. So I smile with him, and remind him — every single time — that he is a smart, beautiful boy, even when his brain goes “hoo-hoo.”

What melts me most, though, is how much he loves his brain for being smart, too. When he accomplishes something new — a math problem, a word he’s been practicing — he kisses his fingers and presses them against his head. I wish I could take credit for that sweet little ritual, but I have no idea where he learned it.

I just know I love it.
Because he’s learning to celebrate his mind — fuzzy moments, “hoo-hoos,” and all.

💭 How do you or your kids handle those “hoo-hoo” moments — the times when your brain just doesn’t want to cooperate?