access child control values after postback

[dkode8]

Hello,
sorry for the cross posting...


I am trying to call a UserControl after postback to save data filled
out on that usercontrol to sql server.

The problem I am having is this, I have 2 LinkButtons that I have setup
as tabs on my app, the user fills out information on UserControl_1,
when they click a different tab, I want to load UserControl_2 and save
the data that was entered into UserControl_1.

When I try to call Page.FindControl("UserControl_1") or
Page.FindControl("UserControl_2") it returns a null reference to the
usercontrol that i am trying to save the data from.
i am re-creating the usercontrol after postback as you can see under
for controls.stats s = new constrols.stats

Heres code from the Page_Load event of the Parent control:
private void Page_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs
e) {
if (!IsPostBack) {
this._tabClicked = TabClicked.Main;
Session["tab"] =
TabClicked.Main.ToString();

this.LoadPage("ctlStats","controls/stats.ascx");
}
if (IsPostBack) {
// Save the current pages values
string t = (string)Session["tab"];
if (t == TabClicked.Main.ToString()) {
controls.stats s = new controls.stats();
controls.stats s =
(controls.stats)Page.FindControl("ctlStats");
s.SaveData();
}
else if (t ==
TabClicked.Medication.ToString()) {
// not implemented
}
}

}

note: TabClicked is an ENUM, I am saving the value to Session so after
the user clicks a new tab, I can retrieve what was the previous tab
they were on.

Am I going about this the right way or am I way off base?

any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Sean