and dive right in.
That’s what we’re doing starting today. I’ve written before about Cuyler being gluten free and casein/dairy free. I wrote last week about feeling overwhelmed with the next step.
Well the next step begins today.
We begin GRAIN free. Our naturopath wants him to only eat meat, fruit and veggies. Ha!
Cuyler does not eat meat. Or fruits. Or veggies.
We begin GRAIN free. Our naturopath wants him to only eat meat, fruit and veggies. Ha!
Cuyler does not eat meat. Or fruits. Or veggies.
Essentially any of the carb foods he eats (and some he loves) are no longer part of his diet. These include gfcf pasta, bread, waffles, pizza, tostitos. Also included in our off-limits are potatoes. Potato chips. French fries. This one is gonna kill me.
School lunches are gonna be tough…
We have found ourselves in this extreme cycle of rigidity and inflexibility with Cuyler. His life is based on routine and rituals and that is not what we want.
If our goal is for him to one day be able to live a full, independent life then he needs to be able to deal with life and all of its dynamics.
For instance, each Thursday we go to McDonalds and get french fries before gymnastics class. Last Thursday, Cuy had to poop at the time we would have left the house. By the time he was done it was too late to go before gymnastics so I told him we would go after class.
If our goal is for him to one day be able to live a full, independent life then he needs to be able to deal with life and all of its dynamics.
For instance, each Thursday we go to McDonalds and get french fries before gymnastics class. Last Thursday, Cuy had to poop at the time we would have left the house. By the time he was done it was too late to go before gymnastics so I told him we would go after class.
Long story short we never made it to gymnastics and his meltdown lasted until he fell asleep at 8:30. Four hours of him screaming. That is not a rare occurrence.
But it will be if I have my way.
We will break this cycle and hopefully he will be able to live a more dynamic, less static life. Then we all can. This is not easy for his brother and sister to live with. My heart breaks for them sometimes. Just as often – it breaks for Cuyler. It is really hard to be his mother.
But I think it must be so much harder for him, having to live in this world where sights and smells and sounds affect him so profoundly.
So now we dig a little deeper and try and give his body some relief by removing the things that we think might be the cause.
But I think it must be so much harder for him, having to live in this world where sights and smells and sounds affect him so profoundly.
So now we dig a little deeper and try and give his body some relief by removing the things that we think might be the cause.
Almost like an addict who can only “function” on their junk. Cuyler seems to only be able to eat the foods he should not. So we find ourselves in a diet rehab.
I told our naturopath that he will not eat “healthy” food. He physically cannot eat it. He tries but then he will gag, and sometimes vomit. She likened it to trying to eat something you don’t like when you’re hungover. Once we get that yucky feeling out of him then he should be more open to the foods that will help his functioning. She said that she would prefer he eat nothing for a week than eat the foods that are wreaking havoc on his body.
(Don’t worry – he will be fed this week…just might not be much…)
Get him off the food that is bad for him. Deal with the fallout of him off that food and hopefully he will be open to the foods I have been trying to get him to eat for 7 years. Good, healthy, whole, clean food.
Then he won’t be stuck on everything all the time like the constant question asking. He won’t get stuck in a 4 hour meltdown – we will be able to reason with him.
He will know that it’s OKAY if we get the french fries after class.
He will know that it’s OKAY if we get the french fries after class.
I don’t have a problem with this new diet that we are on. I have the knowledge to implement it. I have the desire and the will to do it. I am grateful that the other 2 will eat anything.
I have this little fantasy/daydream that I make a delicious dinner of grilled chicken and fresh roasted veggies and the whole family will eat it.
That’s my goal.
I feel like I’m not doing my job properly. As a mother, part of my job is to to nourish him. Nourish his body. And I’m not doing that. Not for lack of trying – I’ve been doing that for 9 years. But for 7 of his 9 years I have not been able to properly feed him.
This week will likely serve as something of a detox for him. We will have to push through any fit he throws for the “fix” he’ll fight for.
I am fully prepared to become more stubborn than my son.
That is what this is going to take.
That is what this is going to take.
Stay tuned.
Indeed. We are all part of your mother-wall, lady. We’re here for you. 🙂
It’s a long road ahead, but I know you can do it!! Good luck, it will all be worth it in the end.
imagine all of us linking arms behind you like a giant “mother wall” in solidarity. we’ll all be there pushing you back in there when the going gets tough but we’ll also be there with glasses of wine and hugs at the end of it. you are stronger than i would ever be and i’m amazed at how awesome you are fighting for your kids!
we all have your back!
You can do this, Christine. I can only imagine how tough it’s going to be at first, but it will get easier… it’s a good choice you’re making. I hope SO HARD that you’ll get the outcome you’re looking for here… and I’m thinking of you. With love. xox
You are AMAZING! This will be such a tough, tough few weeks for you guys – but you’re so strong and determined – you’ll do it! And Cuy will be such the better for it.
Christine, you are an awesome mother. Don’t ever doubt it. I hear so much love and energy going into everything you do for your children, in all your posts. I hope it goes well, and the transition is as smooth as it can be, and that Cuyler feels the benefits soon. Good luck!
Don’t know if you can see my email address or not. If you send me a message I can send you a link on some info that has helped kids with the same transition. I’ve not had the experience myself but I’m sure I could find some people who have. It might just get you past that hump until he can handle the texture/smells/etc… of the new foods.
All the best with everything, I’ve seen a diet change do wonders for kids with struggles.
VJ
Good luck! Sending positive thoughts & prayers. ((HUGS))
My heart goes out to you. My son has autistic tendencies (awaiting a diagnosis) and only wants to eat cereal and granola bars. I wouldn’t even know where to start…..