Drew is our sensory-interesting kid. I'd say he's sensitive to texture, but that's not really the case (though it is). Smell, but I'm not sure about that either (though that's a big deal to him too). He's terrified of new foods, so it's hard to classify him. Terrified could put lightly what we have seen happen to him in the past 6 years about food. Panic attacks, shaking, self-imposed fasting for days because he's made himself a complete wreck over what's put in front of him. The worst has subsided over the past year, but we've seen him eliminate peanut butter this past year and it's scary. It was his major protein source for most of his life. What's his diet? He'll eat pizza, yogurt, cereal, toast, sometimes a peanut butter sandwich. Rarely anything else.
Tonight, he ate a pop-tart. It was a cupcake flavored one we saw in the store, and to be honest, to my pms, it sounded great. I got them more for me (sooo not WW approved!) than anyone else. But all the kids wanted to try it. Drew said "If I don't like it, do I have to keep eating it?" Nope. That's never the case. He initially said he didn't like it and I ignored him and kept doing what I was doing. He kept eating it. Until it was gone and had gained his approval. He actually smiled at me as he ate some of it.
At 5 years old, we were told the turning point comes between 8 and 10 years old, where food becomes less scary. We can reason with him more. He'll understand more. And slowly, I see the wheels turning. The pediatrician said for how severe she has seen him be about foods, she expects he'll be closer to 10 (and likely, puberty). We've prayed with him about it, that he will be courageous with God about food. That he'll trust us. That we wouldn't steer him wrong and ask him to eat french fried tree bark. He laughs, gets nervous and changes the subject. We're not seeing much good food-trying going on, but he did tell us the other day that next time we make spaghetti, he'll try it.
I'll take this small victory. It's all part of the journey.
Small victories are God's reminder that things could be worse and that he can always make things better. Hang in there! Progress is a good thing no matter how small it is.
ReplyDeleteFor sure! I wish I could just flick a switch for him that would make it all better. But, like his mom before him, he has to make that choice to eat other things. I just hope he doesn't wait as long as I did. I was 6th grade before I even considered branching out a little bit.
Delete