Oh man, today is one of those days, I just can't figure out how to solve our ongoing problem...I have asked for help from a variety of sources, and now I am just plain frustrated, as there doesnt seem to be a solution in sight. I am tired. Very, very tired......so I am hoping that by blogging either a solution presents itself, or I write out my frustrations, and wake up ready to take on the struggle again tomorrow!
The Problem----matthew is obsessed with carbs!
The subproblem----I am obsessed with stopping Matthews carb obsession
The reason?----if I am being super, super honest....cause I hate watching him obsess. I hate watching him obsess over anything, and a food obsession is the worst. Not only does it mean that he has lost control of himself, it also means that there are crumbs or wrappers or signs of this obsession ALL OVER MY HOUSE!
Now as an overweight adult, it is fair to say that I love food. There are times I go to bed dreaming of what I will eat the next day. There are even nights when I eat not cause I am hungry but because I am bored or tired, or sad or countless other emotions.
I know the struggle of being overweight. I hate to watch my 8 year old son have that struggle. but more than that, I hate to watch him struggle with an inability to stop himself.
If you knew you were going to get in trouble for doing the same thing over and over and over again....wouldn't you stop?????? If you knew that what you were doing was making someone upset repeatedly, wouldnt you stop?????
He can't stop, on some level I know that! He is being driven to eat and eat and eat and eat and eat.
I hate it. It is another big neon sign that says that Matthew is struggling with life! matthew is different......I HATE IT! It breaks my heart, it makes me sad, it makes me tired to clean it up over and over and over again.
Tonight, my new plan is to box up all the carbs he loves and to put them away somewhere he can't find.
I also plan to promise to myself that tomorrow will be a day that I dont get frustrated by his eating.
I promise to be kinder to him and also kinder to me!
If only he would leave the crackers alone....this would all be so much easier!
Carb cravings, from what I understand from talking with Jeanie Arar, is very common for kids who fall along the Autistic Spectrum disorders. I know that info doesn't solve anything, but it may give you a place to start in looking for a solution. Hang in, lady.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to channel the ritual - one individually wrapped package of saltines, or graham crackers or peanut butter crackers, that he gets only at a certain point in the day? Maybe, when homework is done or after school or before bed? What about trying those packs of 6 peanut or cheese crackers? He could choose and mark on a calender the 6 times of day he wants to have them, with one for each time. It will limit the intake at least, and will give the added physical elements of unwrapping a package, him having control over the times, and being able to anticipate the times, until this phase is over. Good luck!
Thanks Leah...From what I am reading it is also a symptom of kids with fetal alcohol syndrome something about the simple sugars that the kids crave...so for Matthew this is a double whammy. We had a great day today...for the last 2 days the food has been hidden and he hasnt found all of it...he still had 2 bowls of cereal and milk under his bed when I woke up this morning, and one in the family room.....but no cracker crumbs, so taht's a step in the right direction right???
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