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March 17, 2008
celebrating small victories...
I've been meaning to write for a couple days. If you have eaten any meals with us, in the past year, it will be no surprise to read about our difficulties with Phoenix' eating habits.
Each meal, even when he has a 2 tablespoon serving, or so, can take upwards of an hour. He's not picky, as much as he doesn't have much of a desire to eat.
We've tried everything from force feeding, to reward-based reinforcements, we've tried leaving him alone, we've tried saying "Eat, Phoenix! a million times.
Basically, all this, for the past year, without much success at all.
He's no longer "catching up" to Willik in size like we thought he might.
Even at school, where prizes are being given, and peer applause happens for those who finish their plates, has not really stirred him much. In about 3-4 weeks time, with 4 prizes possible, he has only earned one.
Well, it's been much to my surprise to report that for the past week or so, Phoenix has been eating his meal in a most timely manner.
He even had seconds on a few occasions, and he's thanking me for the meal, and actually meaning it. He has done this without much bantering from us, and we've just been really celebrating this and showing him how much pride and happiness we feel. Not every day has been stellar, but I do feel like we are turning a corner. I am ever so thankful!
I do feel 2 things are responsible for this change:
1. Phoenix decided in his mind, that he was ready to start eating. It was somehow an inward decision that reflects much of his personality. No begging or pleading from us could ever replace his desire and timing to do something.
2. I've been asking for friends' prayers on his challenging behavior, and I think it's no accident that some of this started to change after I was very specific about asking people to pray for specific needs concerning Phoenix.
God knows me and he knows my heart and my faults. He knows the levels of craziness I am able to handle, and I guess he thought it was time for this to phase to pass.
Yeah for kids who eat! Thanks Lord!
Posted by glassgirl at March 17, 2008 09:22 PM
Responses
You nailed it. His personality just is his own way. When he feels like nobody is telling him to do something - that's when he does it.
Posted by: Fab at March 18, 2008 02:18 AM
Well, considering that I'm his teacher during that famous lunch time, with peer applause and all that... here's my take on it. Phoenix does take long, but let's just say he's not the worse of them... I've seen them all! Plus, he's on his way to earning 2 rewards already, (he's just missing 1 star) and there are only 3 or 4 other kids who've earned 2 or 3 prizes already out of a class of 20 + kids... the rest are either the same as Phoenix, (1 prize) or have not even earned their first prize!!! So, all in all, let's just say it could be worse. But I am also glad he's improved. He just wants to talk to everyone and look around instead of eating. Thank God he tries things and is not picky though. Some kids refuse to even take a bite of a certain food just because of the way it looks!!
Posted by: Raquel at March 24, 2008 10:11 PM