We try to give James a lot of freedom and leeway, help him develop a sense of choice, of independence, of boundaries AND (hopefully) the responsibilities that go with them. For instance, I let James run down the street. This small task has taken years. Making him understand the world around him: that he has to stop and wait if he gets too far; that he must stay out from the roadway; that he can't run into people. It doesn't always work, he doesn't always remember, but that's why Mom is there, to bring up these little life rules, over and over again. BUT we draw the line when James decides to give up eating and drinking at school!This week I have been to school everyday for lunch. I am in the lunchroom when his class arrives and James sits next to me. At first I brought everything under the sun to see what worked: real food, junk food, candy, books. Day one, he drank all this juice/seltzer water mix (his current fave). James almost ate a mini oreo cookie but another little boy lunged to grab it, setting off tears which ended the eating. Day two, I could hear James yelling and protesting before he even entered the cafeteria. I was happily surprised when he sat down nicely and reached for his juice. Unfortunately, his agitation resurfaced as a boy dove for his books. I asked if we could move. SUCCESS. After calming him by reading, I slowly handed him a cookie and another, until he was reaching for them himself. I tried a chicken nugget AND HE ATE IT in three bites. Day three, I heard him again but with less volume. We sat slightly separated from the class, and no time was needed to calm him down. James simply opened a book and started drinking his juice. He ate some mini donuts and a chicken nugget and drank all his juice!! While the lunch is not ideal, I am luring him in, and it's working! Today, Friday, James drank all his juice and ate THREE chicken nuggets, some mini-oreos and mini donuts. THANK GOD.
Poor kid, I have even more in store for him next week. Monday we start eating with the rest of the class. When that is a success (and I know it will be eventually), we start on different foods!! Poor teachers. They let me in and now I'm never completely leaving.
