Eating Habits

|

My wife and I prepared salmon and baked potatoes with vegetables for dinner today with all expectations that Dakari would eat as well. He's not a big fan of cooked meals though we’ve tried various approaches including forcing the food in his mouth (he simply coughs until he throws it up). We've allowed him to get away with having an alternative meal whenever he doesn't want what we prepare (which is always). Today, I guess I just decided that was the end of that. Dakari loves to drink (everything except water). Though he screamed so hard for us to pity him, we still didn’t give in. Of course, he still didn’t eat what we had prepared. I recently read somewhere that with feeding your toddlers, the important thing is to do your job which is to prepare a nutritious (and presentable) meal and allow them to do their job which is to consume it. I can tell you that Dakari is doing a lousy job.

If you’ve been here, how did you overcome?

On Parenting (an 'extra' needs child)

|
My wife and I are the proud and sometimes 'confused' parents of a soon-to-be three year-old (September 2009). His name is Dakari and he was officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) shortly after birth. As such, he hasn't started talking or walking (on his own) just yet. I'm gonna be honest and say that sometimes it is extremely challenging especially with communication. Dakari still communicates by crying and making other incoherent sounds. He is very clever and independent despite these setbacks. It's amazing how he tries to do everything by himself just the same. He does get quiet irritable when things are not going the way he wants. For example, because of fine motor skills issues, he has a hard time with activities that involves placing small objects in containers. After a while, he'll get angry and start crying while at the same time still trying to complete the task. Sometimes I help, other times I don't. I don't because I think it might be useful for him to complete tasks on his own without his parents. Also, I try not to let him feel that because other kids can do it easier/faster than he can that he should always get help or shouldn't complete the task.

We're all on an interesting journey together and intend to make the most of it.


Dakari trying to shoot his 'air' gun (recommended by occupational therapist).