I have to admit that I find myself a bit frustrated this evening. In the *Lost and Tired* household, as with many others, the end of the month brings with it fewer options of meals, at least until the next trip to the grocery store.
This can be a particularly challenging time for me because it's hard to feed these guys when I have a plethora of options.
However, when we reach this time during the month and I have fewer and fewer options to offer these guys, it becomes really frustrating.
Gavin is by far, the easiest to please. He's open to trying new things and is happy with peanut butter and jelly. Emmett and Elliott are far more picky and very difficult to feed, especially when we are out of chicken nuggets.
At least with my boys, there is an element of indecision, sensory sensitivity and just plain being difficult at times, when it comes to breakfast, lunch and dinner.
On night like tonight, I really struggle to be patient and understanding.
Elliott, for example, will eat something that he usually loves and decide that this time it *tastes funny*. I can't tell any difference but apparently he can. This happens all the time and I end up making multiple meals for at least the two youngest.
The problem is that they literally won't eat, if it's not perfect. Especially with Emmett, things have to be perfect and I mean *perfect. *
Food can't touch and there has to be a different utensil for each item. If anything does touch or has a blemish, he will refuse to eat. Before you say, *he'll eat when he's hungry*, think again. The truth is that he won't. At least not for a considerable amount of time.
I know at least some of you out there understand what I'm talking about.
I think I would just die, if I could cook one meal and everyone would just eat it and be happy. The only time that happens, is if we order pizza, and to be honest, I end up doing that more often than I want to or can afford, simply to avoid the battle.
Does that make any sense?
Gavin used to be absolutely horrible when it came to eating. I would have to spend an hour picking the seasoning out of his pasta sauce before he would even look at it.
He has come a long way and for that I'm grateful. I only hope that the same holds true for Elliott and Emmett.
I mean, I enjoy cooking but anymore, I can't stand it. It's simply impossible to meet everyone's needs without individualized meal plans and I'm just too tired anymore to keep that up. We are actually going to get into the feeding clinic at Akron Children's Hospital. They help with these types of eating difficulties. However, every time we have a chance to go, something happens, with Gavin and we are either sitting by a hospital bed or in family counseling sessions.
Little Caesars $5 pizzas are looking better and better every day.
Anyone struggling with something similar?
***Thanks for reading***
* -Lost and Tired*
*Please join our Autism Help Forum*
*Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store*
This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung's Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct is working against me.
