I love the trampoline idea. DS once did a photo shoot which involved him jumping up and down on a small trampoline with a little girl a year older than him. Both the little girl and the parent-onlookers were exhausted long before DS was. When they finally got him t do as he was told he'd been jumping on a trampoline almost solidly for 5hrs!!! And he wasn't even out of breath!

I also agree with the television. Wish DH would agree to me getting rid of it entirely. I could easily live without the f programmes I watch, and I've always noticed that as I let the kids watch more television they get far more rowdy. Then I go cold turkey for a while and gradually increase it. Now I don't let them watch any commercial television, only videos we've had for ages. I could wish that wehadn't just acquired The Incredibles, because now DS is imitating Dash, and he's going drive me nutso!

Jana, like you say DS eats better in all those ways than DD. It just occurs to me that DS is the one with fairer and more sensitive skin and he's the one who gets rhinitis. I wonder whether that increased sensitivity spills over into what he consumes. They only drink water and some milk most of the time, but like you say, almost everything has *something* in it, especially according to the Feingold list. I do remember looking at it a while back, but I think really following it would be more for people with extreme food sensitivities. As you say, the rest of us would do better to avoid too much processed food. Cut back, rather than cut out.

Can't say as I blame you on declining the medication either.

If he has trouble winding down, maybe you need to ensure things are quieter in the evening. No television after a certain time, no junk food after a certain time, a very specific bedtime routine that is rigorously enforced, maybe some soft music played each evening to signal bedtime is getting near... It's worth a shot, based on what you describe. Mine still share a room (for now, but not for much longer thank goodness!) and they do tend to chatter after lights out. But I put DS to bed first and he'll be asleep by the time DD is finished with her much slower shower. Careful routine is more important to some kids than others, but of some importance to all children, *and* their parents!

Kerri.