… and also, eating issues.
My Chemical Romance’s grandfather died recently at the age of 90 years young. He is survived by his wife, four children — including My Chemical Romance’s dad — several step-children and lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
My Chemical Romance really wanted to be there for the funeral, but his mom went one better (or six better) by paying for ALL OF US (except the dog) to fly to San Diego. I am so excited!
San Diego at night (Flickr: Michael McDonough)
I am so not looking forward to a long plane ride with five children. I can’t emphasize that enough. I am not looking forward to a five-hour plane ride with five kids. However, I’m sure the trip will make up for it.
Mineral has a lot of anxiety regarding plans changing, so he wants to know all about the trip. What we’re going to do and where we’re going to go, and with whom we’re going to stay and what we’re going to eat –
I digress: eating is a big issue right now. Mineral doesn’t eat much. His ADHD medication suppresses his appetite — which totally sucks, because he’s already underweight. Then, when he’s coming down off it, in the the evening, dinner is a battle.
If dinner is not one of the few things he likes (hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, quesadillas, fried chicken, noodles, eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles) he gets extremely upset. And he expresses that unhappiness for the duration of the meal. Then he wants to know what the next night’s dinner is, and the next night’s. And if those meals aren’t things he likes, his tantrum continues.
Flickr: Kevin Dooley
I try for an every-other-night approach for meals he will like, but sometimes I get sick of hotdogs and macaroni-and-cheese. I’m not sure if I want to make him his own special dinner — he already gets a lot of allowances for his ADHD, and often the other children will skip a dinner if they don’t want whatever it is. Or just try it. Or sit quietly with us.
Also, if I don’t feed him, he will take food from the pantry up to his room and eat it. Or take food to the bathroom. Or the guest room. I find various food — mostly bread — all over the house. Then I feel bad because he’s skinny and hungry and I’m not feeding him enough.
Writing this out makes me realize that he probably needs his ADHD medication twice a day. His doctor had prescribed that, but I was hesitant because it keeps him awake at night. He suggested giving him half the medication in the afternoon, to see how that works. I think I will try it.
Filed under: attachment parenting, Daily Life, family, Mineral Monday | Tagged: adhd, dinner, family dinner, siblings | 1 Comment »
