"I have a love hate relationship with going gluten free. When I first pulled the gluten Josh diapers for the first time EVER were normal. EVER. I was so excited. I bought new flours and cut out wheat snacks. I was on a roll. Now that a week or 2 has gone by, I'm so tired of telling Josh what he can't have. Taking out dairy AND gluten cuts out a LOT. I can work around it but he will ask for a begal or cracker or whatever and it stinks to say no. I'm feeling a bit deflated with it right now.
I'm curious to see what the pedi and GI have to say about Josh's growth in Nov/Dec for his check-ups. I do think he needs to grow so I need to stick with the gluten. He's just now moving into 2T pants (he'll be 3 in Nov). At 3 June was 35 lbs. Josh is 27/28. We'll see. I'm in a mental battle right now between feeling the need to pull gluten and stay off dairy and be Josh's advocate, yet feeling like the odd-ball parent who has to read every label and not let my kid eat what ALL the other kids eat. In the big scheme of things it would be so.much.worse, but I'm human, ya know?
It's frustrating... Josh is a normal kid who does normal things. He's his own person (which is good) but fits perfectly into the cookie cutter mold of a 2 year old. He's normal. Except I have to tell him 'no' so often with food and after nearly 2 years of being dairy free, the gluten thing is setting me off a bit. I want to do the best for him. I want to calm his belly and booty. I want him to grow and thrive, but it's hard because I feel like he's the kid who can't eat. I have to read e.v.e.r.y label and be careful at all times about what goes into his system. He can't munch on goldfish or snack on string cheese and at this point, teddy grahams of graham crackers are out too.
I just need to regroup and keep going. I need to keep chugging along until the "throw in the towel" feeling subsides.
I think I can, I think I can...
3 comments:
Just want to say that you are not alone! And actually there is a support group in the Lehigh Valley for parents of kids with food allergies. I can give you more info if you want.
I read this yesterday, but just getting the time to sit down and comment...
I obviously can't know what this particular journey is like, nor can I obviously give you an answer, but keep persevering... in God's strength. As hard as it is, laying it down and letting Him guide you slowly but surely (and sometimes kicking and screaming)... it'll grow your faith (Romans 5:3-5).
And one day, when Josh is a normal, thriving teenage boy eating you out of house and home, he (and his siblings) will see the example of your faith... and that, friend, is *ever*lasting. So like I said, I have no specific answer, but pray and I believe, as He has already, God will give you peace and guide you in making day-to-day decisions to care for your kids. And He'll give you encouragement and strength when it's hard. Even if that comes in the form of a "normal" diaper ;)
Andrea, I would love the info on the Lehigh Valley food allergy group.
Erin, thank you for everything you wrote. Perfect. Thank you.
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