tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.comments2012-04-14T07:10:38.702-07:00wealhtheowwealhtheowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-3876573642113115712012-04-14T07:10:38.702-07:002012-04-14T07:10:38.702-07:00@TheRapunzelGirl--I thought kind of the same thing...@TheRapunzelGirl--I thought kind of the same thing before I had Sam. The amazing, wonderful thing about special needs parenting is you are strong enough to do it. You are strong enough to do whatever your child needs. It can be hard, and bitter, and lonely, and unfair (and dude, my kid's special needs freaking PALE in comparison to what many other parents have to deal with) but at the end of the day you just buck up and do what your child needs. I've discovered a wellspring of patience I never knew existed, and I am constantly digging deeper into that well.wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-68756750864379131992012-04-14T07:07:37.088-07:002012-04-14T07:07:37.088-07:00"Have you tried mixing it up in a milkshake?&..."Have you tried mixing it up in a milkshake?" If I had a dollar for every time someone has suggested that I could pay for food therapy out of my own pocket. <br /><br />How did it go with your friend? My advice would be to just tell her upfront that your child has some issues around food and you are trying to work on them (even if that is a white lie) but it is very slow going and you are happy to provide a back-up packet of macaroni and cheese. <br /><br />My real issue with my son and food isn't so much that he's picky, because yeah. I'm not sure how much there is to do about that. It's the anxiety and distress that asking him to try new foods causes. For social reasons, I want him to be able to go to a friend's house for dinner, take one bite of the food he is served and then sit there calmly while the rest of the family finishes dinner (obviously this is a long-term goal).wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-8413187695926001722012-04-14T06:29:48.481-07:002012-04-14T06:29:48.481-07:00He sounds exactly like my kid. And while I am in ...He sounds exactly like my kid. And while I am in no way qualified to make the following statement, I am of the opinion that a person's level of pickiness is inborn, and there isn't much a parent can do about it. I base this on the fact that my husband is ridiculously picky, so how could I expect our child to be anything but picky? If I hear one more person brag about how awesome an eater her kid is because of her dedication to exposing him to a variety of foods, I will punch that person in the face. <br /><br />Like you, I have mostly given up when it comes to food issues. There are three people in my family, and I'm basically making three separate dinners, and those who brag about how awesome they are with their "eat what I make or starve" policy can just suck it. <br /><br />Still, I stress a lot about this stuff. It's so hard to go to a gathering of a bunch of kids and have my kid be the only one who refuses to eat what is being served. And we usually can't use the food to distract him into good behavior at restaurants, so all restaurants that are not McDonald's are stressful. <br /><br />And the other night I had to go to a meeting and my kid was going to hang out at my friend's house, and she was all, "Don't feed him first, he can eat with us," and I seriously stressed out about how they would judge me for my kid's not eating/poor table behavior, to the point that I was up half the night worrying about it the night before.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10997505527830797855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-49550411205493710262012-04-11T11:09:42.290-07:002012-04-11T11:09:42.290-07:00I think it's awesome that you've been able...I think it's awesome that you've been able to do what you have done with Sam regarding food, and I think that having a OT let you know if it's Food Issues or just a picky phase may help with some of your stress. At least, I *hope* it helps. I've been blessed with a pretty good eater, and I still get frustrated that E is turning up her nose at broccoli all of a sudden and will start eating like a bird from time to time. You are a stronger mom than I would be in your situation, I think.TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-80402801635086293352012-04-11T05:27:19.343-07:002012-04-11T05:27:19.343-07:00I've always enjoyed your comments on Ask Moxie...I've always enjoyed your comments on Ask Moxie because I think we're in similar situations: one preschool-aged son, SAHM, cat person. I was excited to come back to your blog yesterday and see that you're also a freelance editor. I myself edit textbooks (elementary level), and I am in the exact same situation RE: trying to entertain my son while I work. I love that I'm getting more work lately, and I love having something professional to do during the day, but I feel guilty that I end up plugging my kid into one screen-based activity after another in an attempt to keep him occupied while I work. I feel like I would be better off having a paid babysitter for him, but my work schedule is so unpredictable that it would be hard to effectively schedule a babysitter. Also there's that whole "paying a babysitter takes some of my already not-that-awesome pay" issue. But hey, he does enjoy yardwork, so maybe I'll try your suggestion of throwing him out in the yard with a spray bottle.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10997505527830797855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-34036621624965843732012-04-10T09:34:03.912-07:002012-04-10T09:34:03.912-07:00LOL!LOL!Vacationland Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963961759496245539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-50808766798169912562012-04-10T08:08:18.489-07:002012-04-10T08:08:18.489-07:00Perhaps a summer of excessive drinking and inappro...Perhaps a summer of excessive drinking and inappropriate behavior will help? Le sigh. Prozac is not a magic bullet for everyone, and my heart hurts that you are hurting. There are lots of other options out there...I hope you find one that helps. Don't quit until you are feeling better--you are so worth it and you deserve so richly to be happy!!!wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-21859345920038640982012-04-10T08:00:09.232-07:002012-04-10T08:00:09.232-07:00Apparently even running AND prozac are not enough ...Apparently even running AND prozac are not enough prozac for me.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11390743358441495873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-68160852283345873662012-04-10T07:56:22.532-07:002012-04-10T07:56:22.532-07:00Thanks for the love! Yeah, saying "Running is...Thanks for the love! Yeah, saying "Running is my prozac" is kind of like saying "holding the book really, really, really close to my face is my contact lens prescription," right? Stay strong, sister--at least they're not giving us hysterectomies anymore, right? :)wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-89547273642572210182012-04-10T07:54:03.814-07:002012-04-10T07:54:03.814-07:00I've found the very hardest part is getting ou...I've found the very hardest part is getting out of the house and getting over to the gym. It is always a challenge. If you hate running, don't force yourself--find something you enjoy. Dude, chasing a toddler definitely counts as exercise. FOR SURE.wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-80431877314087730372012-04-10T06:15:49.539-07:002012-04-10T06:15:49.539-07:00OMG I LOVE YOU FOR THIS. I have seen this bumper ...OMG I LOVE YOU FOR THIS. I have seen this bumper sticker (probably at the gym, too) and it makes me mad. I agree with you that it's great that somebody else can get such a runner's high, but the idea that running can replace antidepressants when it comes to serious clinical depression? That clearly indicates a lack of understanding about depression. Depression is a disease, and some of us need that pill just to get us to the point of being willing/able to work out. Like you, I believe in exercise to help manage depression, but I personally need that pill to get me to a point where I'm willing to go to the gym at all.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10997505527830797855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-40378233049125015822012-03-29T12:36:37.452-07:002012-03-29T12:36:37.452-07:00Yes, so true, thank you for this post. I have been...Yes, so true, thank you for this post. I have been on and off antidepressants since just after college, and when I was off and depressed again, I could BARELY get out of bed, let alone go for a jog (since I hate running anyway, that much more difficult/impossible). Even while I'm on and not depressed, I still have a hard time motivating to exercise. I'm currently BFing and chasing a toddler around so that helps :)Vacationland Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963961759496245539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-82551623060224264982012-03-29T11:04:41.911-07:002012-03-29T11:04:41.911-07:00yay for sam! and yay for you and your good hard mo...yay for sam! and yay for you and your good hard mommy work!TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-36394041119982731112012-03-27T15:09:06.054-07:002012-03-27T15:09:06.054-07:00Well, as it turns out running AND beta blockers ar...Well, as it turns out running AND beta blockers are my prozac :)courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00614097673252435121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-90064325379401376752012-03-22T13:29:59.434-07:002012-03-22T13:29:59.434-07:00Although sometimes it is caused by the dramatic re...Although sometimes it is caused by the dramatic realization that Passover is coming up like, SOON, yo, and you have made ABSOLUTELY ZERO PREPARATIONS and have no idea what you are going to serve for your first vegetarian Pesach, because what takes the place of brisket??wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-41986186241355638732012-03-22T11:38:09.399-07:002012-03-22T11:38:09.399-07:00fluoride always made me wanna puke when i was a ki...fluoride always made me wanna puke when i was a kid too. i hope his ear tubes don't have to be replaced. those are NO FUNTheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-86135247080471590412012-03-15T15:22:55.387-07:002012-03-15T15:22:55.387-07:00my parents didn't do that (give mommy/daddy ti...my parents didn't do that (give mommy/daddy time as a reward) and i have more siblings than most people in a First World country. i guess that maybe they were just really good at always making us feel like we got special mommy/daddy time with them. i honestly can't remember any time that i felt like i had to compete with my siblings for my parents' attention. i'm sure it happened, it's just not something i remember.TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-69469831782337909722012-03-10T05:41:26.261-08:002012-03-10T05:41:26.261-08:00Absolutely! Thanks for the love, dearie girl.Absolutely! Thanks for the love, dearie girl.wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-2888174979727650272012-03-09T17:01:07.900-08:002012-03-09T17:01:07.900-08:00can I share this in my class? We're doing asse...can I share this in my class? We're doing assessments & I think it'd be rad for them to hear this perspective. YOU, my oldest, dearest, friend in the world are full of AWESOME!!TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-52403262977862310632012-03-08T11:00:24.873-08:002012-03-08T11:00:24.873-08:00One of my friends pointed out that in families wit...One of my friends pointed out that in families with more than one kid, special individual time with a child is at a higher premium, and taken in that context, I think this whole scheme makes more sense. It's not just going out to lunch, it's going out to lunch with Dad and just Dad alone. I still think that shouldn't be reserved SOLELY for a behavioral reward, but I can also see how it would be really highly motivating as a goal to work towards. But so far, we just have the one little monster.wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-12190711195586227362012-03-08T09:04:41.067-08:002012-03-08T09:04:41.067-08:00i love that "lets go riding in the car car&qu...i love that "lets go riding in the car car" song . . . there were some cool busy ideas for car rides that i saw on Pinterest that might work also. check out my "for kids" board and see if anything may work for him.TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-10729118801878434882012-03-08T08:55:56.395-08:002012-03-08T08:55:56.395-08:00i had not heard of this. and i could not agree wit...i had not heard of this. and i could not agree with you more! sure, outings can be earned, but family love should be UNCONDITIONAL regardless of behavior. my mom always said that even discipline should be done with "arms around in love" and she is SO right.TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-41643389793703063892012-02-10T10:43:17.391-08:002012-02-10T10:43:17.391-08:00i've been going through this with my hormones ...i've been going through this with my hormones since having Ellinor. the utter avolition (like, if i didn't have to drag my ass into the office, i would be sitting on the couch watching TV also), and the NASTY NASTINESS and uncontrollable sobbing emotional outbursts over nothing! i'm going to first try a change in birth control (since i've been on a low-dose while breastfeeding), and if that doesn't help imma be all: doctor, i think i've got me some frickin bad PMDD. plaez halp!<br /><br />i think the hardest part is that horrible little demon whispering in your ear that you're a BAD BAD PERSON for suffering from the crazy hormones and if you were just BETTER AT EVERYTHING then life would be sunshine and roses.TheRapunzelGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06398540512488604605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-30870686661865200552011-02-07T00:54:25.256-08:002011-02-07T00:54:25.256-08:00I agree with you completely. I have a friend that ...I agree with you completely. I have a friend that wanted to follow some ridiculous pedagogy where you weren't ever supposed to use the word "No," with your kid. Aside from my sarcastic, "Yeah, and how's that workin' out for you?" response, I disagree on actual principle. Parents need to say no so that kids learn to say no. (Not that I actually think 2-year olds NEED to see every behavior modeled to do it...something seem to be ingrained.) Honestly, the dumb things parents are told to do to their kids.<br /><br />Tara Maya<br /><a href="http://amzn.to/gFuB4V" rel="nofollow">The Unfinished Song: Initiate</a>Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757123417993719258.post-90395161493513042202011-01-28T12:14:06.846-08:002011-01-28T12:14:06.846-08:00I'm haunted by the thought that I've spell...I'm haunted by the thought that I've spelled "bain" wrong here. It's "bane," isn't it? It is, I know it.wealhtheowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12845001598498369410noreply@blogger.com