HELOISE Mother of 6 children with ADHD would like your attention

Dear Heloise: You might remember me as the mother of six children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Growing up in our household was never easy. Like the millions of parents who have children suffering from this disorder, I constantly searched for ways to help my children fit in and lead a "normal" life, whether in school or socially with other kids.
I have been dealing with ADHD for 30 years -- many of which have been frustrating, emotional and difficult. But with support and proper education, my family has also endured many successes -- my oldest is now raising a family of her own, and my youngest is heading off to college.
For the past few years, you have printed my letter about a valuable program, ADHD Experts on Call, an educational hot line that allows people affected by ADHD to speak one-on-one with teachers, doctors, school nurses and parents like myself.
The hot line will be available on Thursday from 8 a.m. to midnight EDT. The toll-free number is (888) ASK-ADHD (888-275-2343), and all callers can request free, easy-to-read booklets about ADHD. Every year when you print my letter, we receive thousands of calls from people who say they read about our hotline in "Hints From Heloise."
So many of the calls are from people who have lost all hope. They have a lot of questions, so I share my stories as a way to give them back the hope they have lost.
For those helping children cope with the challenges of ADHD -- or for anyone who has questions -- ADHD Experts on Call offers authoritative, reliable guidance. I only wish this program had been there for me and my husband when our children began to struggle with the disorder. Sandra Jones, Ph.D., via fax
Sandra, you and the wonderful experts are the "stars" who shine in helping folks understand and cope with this disorder. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My idea is to use the plastic pudding cups to make ice cubes for a thermos bottle or large beverage glasses. Gelatin and snack fruit cups can also be used. Ann Phelps, Chilton, Texas
Dear Heloise: Here is a suggestion that I have found very helpful: When you get through showering, use a squeegee to wipe down your walls and glass doors, etc. Then take the towel and dry off the walls and glass doors. Saves a lot of time and energy in the long run. It only takes a few minutes of your time to do this procedure after each shower. Betty Peade, Fredericksburg, Va.
Dear Heloise: I have a lot of kitchen gadgets and very limited drawer space. So, I purchased some flowerpots (you can find them to match just about any decor) to sit on my kitchen counter to hold the ones I use the most. The extras I store in stackable drawers. Marilyn Potts, Meridian, Miss.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate