We seem to have had a great vegetable turn around.
From being a weaning baby that loved his veggies, that progressed to the restrictive, obsessive child, that refused most foods, we have now completed a full cirlce, and are back to a veggie loving 10 year old!
I still lay all thanks on that one dinner lady at his school, who, in her own way, got him to taste new veg, and learn to enjoy it.
She used the principal of holding his lunch in front of him, and holding a small amount of peas on a plate, also in front of him, and telling him - " if you eat these (the peas), you can have these". It worked straightaway. She got him into sweetcorn and carrots too.
I had exhausted all avenues myself, trying to get him to eat veg, and it seems this new person in his life had the magic way.
Since then, I have introduced runner beans and broccoli. He eats them too with no fuss.
And now he wants to fill his plate up with veg! He helps to put the veg in the steamer, and always adds more and more! Then, when I serve the food up, he takes more for himself, and will request from our plates with his hand, trying to take off of them.
But he now will try to over eat them. I had some frozen carrots in a 1kg bag, and discovered that he had been helping himself to them every time I unlocked the utility room to load washing or drying on.
I will be asking for her help again with fruit. I know he likes the taste of fruit as he loves the pureed pots of them, but he still refuses to try them in their natural state.
I remember how stressed I used to be, trying to get him to eat. I used to cook up huge batches of stews, with either meat or fish in, and add around seven different veggies to it, and then whizz it down to a puree, and freeze in pots. This was for a 3 year old, not a weaning baby.
He would gag, spit out each mouthfull, scream, run around, and make me exhausted. The carpet got fed more than he did.
I gave up when my middle son was born, and just accepted J's food issues.
I ensured he got his five fruit a day, via the puree pots, and after a few years he accepted the 'kids' range from Marks and Spencer in the spaghetti bolognaise, which meant he was eating hidden carrot and tomato, which was something I suppose. Even today, he still loves the M&S kids bolognaise. He refuses to eat my own, which my other two boys love, so it's a bit fiddly, but at least they all eat the same meal together, albeit his is from a shop. I will add that M&S kids range is not loaded with rubbish or additives. It is healthy and tasty.
Monday 18 June 2012
Friday 15 June 2012
Monday 11 June 2012
First break away
J had his first ever trip away from me recently.
He went with his class of 7 other children and several staff.
The place they went to is a dedicated activity centre for children with a disability. They slept in purpose built cabins.
J got to try the zip wire, ( for which he was scared of, due to not knowing why he was getting into a harness) but once up, he loved it.
He apparently loved archery too.
Because the children are so active in the day, they sleep well at night, and I was told he wanted to stay in his bed the first morning, until the mention of toast was uttered, and he shot out to the table to eat it!
He is a toast monster!
I have been told he will get to go again next year, his final year at his present school.
I missed him so much. I felt odd and had butterflies in the few days before he left, and the entire time he was not in my care. When the school bus beeped outside the house upon his return, I leaped up and ran to get him. As usual he did not want a cuddle, a kiss, or an acknowledgment towards me, but my boy was home, and I could relax again.
He turned 10 recently, and a decade ago, I had no idea about the path we would be taken on.
I have toughened up immensly, and have found a voice that speaks up for him, and for others.
I know my life is meant to be this way, and that in the future I will give back to other children, all I have learnt from J. This special needs world we reside in,is very special indeed.
The privilege to be able to not take anything for granted, and to learn that love runs so very deep, and evolves and adapts to whatever the big world has to pass your way.
He went with his class of 7 other children and several staff.
The place they went to is a dedicated activity centre for children with a disability. They slept in purpose built cabins.
J got to try the zip wire, ( for which he was scared of, due to not knowing why he was getting into a harness) but once up, he loved it.
He apparently loved archery too.
Because the children are so active in the day, they sleep well at night, and I was told he wanted to stay in his bed the first morning, until the mention of toast was uttered, and he shot out to the table to eat it!
He is a toast monster!
I have been told he will get to go again next year, his final year at his present school.
I missed him so much. I felt odd and had butterflies in the few days before he left, and the entire time he was not in my care. When the school bus beeped outside the house upon his return, I leaped up and ran to get him. As usual he did not want a cuddle, a kiss, or an acknowledgment towards me, but my boy was home, and I could relax again.
He turned 10 recently, and a decade ago, I had no idea about the path we would be taken on.
I have toughened up immensly, and have found a voice that speaks up for him, and for others.
I know my life is meant to be this way, and that in the future I will give back to other children, all I have learnt from J. This special needs world we reside in,is very special indeed.
The privilege to be able to not take anything for granted, and to learn that love runs so very deep, and evolves and adapts to whatever the big world has to pass your way.
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