I haven't stopped scrapping...

Life's just gotten crazy of late and I'm getting worried about my eldest boy Joshua. We have stuff to get sorted with him but my current main concern is that he's pre-diabetic. DH is diabetic so I know genetically both boys are prone but Lucas doesn't seem to react to food sugars the way Josh does. It's him I'm worried about. We've checked his blood sugars a few times and it's obvious.

We already know he's pre-diabetic, but as well as being ridiculously fussy with food he's also got the trait of refusing to try ANYTHING new. His diet is appalling despite my constant attempts to improve it. It depresses me. It scares me. I don't want him to have to jab himself umpteen times a day and he's not a kid that would deal with that.

We've talked to him about how important it is that he eats the lunch I give him for school and when he needs to eat what, but like most almost 6 year olds his lunch comes home mostly uneaten day after day. Unfortunately that means his blood sugars drop and he then eats whatever he can find causing them to surge. His behaviour goes manic, he can't control himself and then we have a whole other set of things to deal with and in the meantime his body is destroying itself.

We can't just let him go hungry either. If his sugars go to low it'll make it worse so we need to make sure he eats regular, low GI meals. There's no "if he's hungry he'll eat it" with him. He'll go hungry. He'll sneak/steal food. If he doesn't his blood sugars drop to a level he can barely get a sentence out. It's so hard.

I don't want him becoming diabetic. At the moment it's still preventable but I can see his reactions to anything with sugar becoming more obvious and I know he's on that track. If we can get his eating better then maybe we can prevent it. He's not diabetic yet, but he IS pre-diabetic. He's on that road and it kills me.

He won't try new food and is bored stupid with eating the same things all the time. He's starting to look like a chicken nugget but other than the odd mince savoury, it's the only protein he'll eat. He won't even look at eggs, cheese, fish or other meats. He won't eat most cereals, he only wants the sugary ones so has toast and marmite. every. day. For snacks he might have a low sugar muffin bar which is fine if he only has one, but he wants more than one as he's still hungry. He won't eat fruit other than grapes or raisins. He won't eat much in the way of vegetables. He'll eat popcorn and other carb snacks but they're not good for him. There's little nutritional value in anything he'll actually eat and we supplement his diet with kid vitamins as we know he's such an appalling eater. It goes beyond being fussy. It's part of his gifted traits - he won't try anything new unless he knows he'll love it and if I've ever offered him something that I've said he'd love and he hasn't, then he won't believe me again to try anything else.

It's all very well having this list of foods he can eat from too but that doesn't mean he can eat only those. He can't have a muffin bar, popcorn AND something else... it's too many carb's and there's not a lot of low GI food he'll eat. He wants the sugary stuff marketed to kids and it's hard for this little boy who just wants to eat what he sees his friends eating to understand that he just can't. He knows no sugar and he's so good around the supermarket when we tell him he can't have something because of the sugar. He does his best on school food days to choose something without sugar, but then his 6 year old self takes over and he does what kids do - thinks it'll be ok. They're indestructible at that age remember?

I've tried making my own nuggets etc to make them healthier (sneaking cauliflower puree under the breadcrumbs) but if it doesn't look like a store bought one he won't even try it. It's not like I don't try. I try and try and still I see him going down this track as he fights me every step of the way.

I don't know what else to do. We keep trying. We've had to recently deal with his teacher at school too who, despite being told he was pre-diabetic, kept giving him lollipops and fudge. That's stopped thankfully (after a not very nice confrontation about it) but we get no support there on making him eat his lunch before he goes and plays. Is it just his school? do other schools keep a better watch on their young ones?

I've done a lot of venting lately but I've had a lot on my plate. On this any suggestions will be gratefully received.

L x

Comments

[Penny]

It's not just his school. Ours don't seem to have anyone monitoring them during lunch either. Half the time Mr8 comes home with only some of his lunch eaten because he is so keen to play. And there are some things he doesn't like me putting in his lunch because the other children tease him about them. He likes me to put left over mince or pasta into a flask to keep warm for lunchtime - maybe that would work for you? It sounds awfully tough.

[Åsa]

wow
yes other schools do keep better control and are sugar free!

It´s appalling that they feed him snacks.
Much can be said about school food here, but this is the set up
if late lunch, fruit brake around 10. otherwise in the afternoon
teachers will sit down and eat w the children and the children are encouraged to try al new foods + sit put till there friends at the assigned table are done eating.
School lunch is well balanced and despite the ridiculous money put to it, they manage to make warm food, salad and bread every day.
in the afternoon they will have some sort of food again.
sugar is banned form school al together.

I am confused about the pre diabetic discussions - either he gets it or not. In that aspect, not much you can do as far as I know.
But he is in starvation from not eating, and accordingly will act the way you say.
He is a smart child. How if you teach him about his body? what ends up where? like no protein, nu muscles. no muscles not that grate at climbing-
In my opinion he doesn'´t have to like the new food. he has to try it. He can then refuse it, but will have to try it next time again. You need to stop fighting and find alliance with him. Use the fact that he is bright and sit down and talk. make him decide what new food he wants to try, in what order. Make a goal worth striving for.

Mostly though - dig out the principal of the school, PTA or whoever is in power to make a change- kids need food to learn and behave- not only your child, but al of them. A 6 year old can not be responsible for eating right, that is a job for grownups.

[Rachel]

Louise

Not sure if you have gone to the top of the school and made an appointment to see the headmaster, but can I suggest that (if you have not already tried?) The school needs to help you in this journey as he spends lots of time at school. They are very quick to tell other children not to bring nuts to school etc for those allergic. Surley they can be of more assistance to you.
Good luck - it is a very hard position to be in and i wish you all the best :-)

[Christi]

Awww, chick, I can't imagine what you are going through. I've not had these problems with mine so I have nothing that can help. But I will say his school is not the only one that doesn't make sure they eat. Both schools the girls have attended haven't paid particularly close attention. Hopefully after the teacher meeting she'll understand better. Obviously his situation is different. Hang in there. Sorry I am not much more help. *big hugs*

[ruth]

The teacher sounds a tad irresponible continuing to allow him lollipops. Maybe go to the head master and have a chat, let him/her know the seriousness of it.

It sounds pretty tough, just don't bet yourself up.

[Hannah]

I really hope things improve after you meet with the head teacher. If not, go to the principal. There needs to be more supervision of what kids are eating at his age, at 6 they still need guidance and to be reminded to eat before playing. Especially if the situation is unique, like his. All the best for the meeting on Friday.

[Leanne]

I don't have children and I'm not a diabetic, so I have no idea what you are going through, but can see how incredibly difficult it is for you and Joshua. I have a friend who has a son who was diagnosed 2 years ago. They are currently supported both by Starship and Diabetes New Zealand. My advice would be to talk to the specialists now while he's still pre-diabetic. They may be able to offer support, counselling for Joshua and ways to deal with his dislike of new foods, or non kid advertised food.

Good luck and don't give up, Joshua only has one life, learn all you can and fight hard to help him have a good one.

[Theresa]

Louise, my heart is with you and your family. I am a long time diabetic. I have friends who have lived with diabetis since childhood and are doing very well into their 60's. Find a support group if you can because this is happening to you too. When they are young it is the hardest for them and for you. It is really hard when you realize it affects your entire family, not just the person. Everyone's eating, exercising habits have to change to support that one person to help them feel supported and included. I don't know about Australia, but in the US there are new products that help you eat more mainstream like low carb pastas and burrito shells. Please email direct is there is anything I can offer. Hugs, Theresa

[windrosie]

Hi, I have no valuable advice whatsoever, but saw some cute ideas for decorating kids food,perhaps something like that can entice him to eat? Here is a linky of what I mean:
http://pinterest.com/source/cutefoodforkids.com/
I visit your blog sometimes, and although I don't ever comment, I was so moved by your difficulties that I just wanted to show support. Good luck to u, I really hope it works out for the best!