On the dirtbike- Do you have 3-6 months salary saved in your emergency fund! Are all Credit cards payed off? Do you have the money in hand to pay for it with cash? God I sound like some one...lol. If you want the bike and it isn't going to cause a need some place else...go for it! Just don't compulsively blow money on something that may be fun for a week (ADD experienced fellow I be). The fridge is different in my opinion. Is it breaking down and not keeping food cold? Or does somebody just want one like the shiny fridge with the computer in it that was featured on home tv! If it is breaking down, the kids need a safe place to store their food. If it is just an upgrade the fridge to the latest trendy model....wait on the purchase.
You do seem to be in a much better spot mentally today...good for you! Here is my challenge for you this evening....go for a nice long walk. The twist being that you say hello to 10 people on the walk (this will really feel great to your ADD side). I do this all the time and it is a blast!
On the school work front...accept that if you have ADD, more than likely one of your children does. It might be that your daughter has it. There are different forms of ADD and not all of them include hyperactive behavior. Research the net a little bit on teenagers with ADD. There are some great websites filled with helpful tips to help with school work and ADD kids. I used suggestions from those sites to help with my son, and though it takes time the tips will work.
I do agree with letting the school quietly know about the situation. A lot of people will disagree with me on that, but there has been changes to the home front. Fighting, shouting, dad has moved out....the security blanket that was there is now stretched a little bit. The staff at the school should be experienced with children going through times like yours are. Notifying the school in the end gets people to help your children with only the children's best welfare in mind. Don't share details, just that you are separated and the living situation has changed...nothing more. Remember these people will also be working with your wife....so no need for added stress when they work with your children.
