Monday, April 04, 2011
A Really Big Problem
Ok D-Moms I really need your help. We have an ongoing problem with my Little Man. He is obsessed with sneaking food. It is such a huge problem. Let me remind you that he is 4. A little too young to understand ALL of what diabetes entails, but you would think that after a year of having diabetes he would understand a little...right? We have a lock on the pantry door. We have hidden the key because he has figured out how to pick the lock. He gets into the fridge and even eats frozen foods out of the freezer. ANY type of food he finds he eats it...no matter what it is. He gets into my purse, diabetes bag, backpacks, and church bags and eats all the low snacks I have for him and his sister. Then I never have a low snack for when we are out and we need one. We hide things in the oven, on top shelves and behind locked doors. This doesn't stop him. If there is something left out by accident he eats as much as he can. For example, he took fruit snacks to school for his VIP treat. He had some left over that I forgot to lock up before I got into the shower. (I know it's my fault I left them out) But he didn't just eat one package of them...NO...he ate THE REST OF THE BOX! That is 7 bags of fruit snacks!!! This is not just a one time thing. I feel it is almost a sickness. Or his personal challenge in life...something that goes deeper than diabetes. I talk food with this kid a good 80% of the day. He is ALWAYS wanting something to eat. We have meal time and snack time but this doesn't mean anything to him. He gets into trouble, I talk with him, I try to teach him but NOTHING is working. 7 bags of fruit snacks.... I don't even know what to do at this point? Dose him for all 7 bags? 140 carbs worth? This kid doesn't even eat more than 70 carbs in a meal usually. Damnit I hate diabetes! I just got so mad at him. He is sitting in a time out crying. I am crying out for help with tears in my eyes trying to get control of myself. I hate that he doesn't get it. I hate that I have to tell him that this could make him sick...or even kill him. I hate that he is 4 years old and has to deal with diabetes at all. I hate it!!! I HATE IT!! What do I do???
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10 comments:
We went through something very similar with Ethan and this advice was very helpful:
Ask yourself this -- if your son did not have diabetes, would this be an issue?
If the answer is no, then I suggest that you teach him that he can eat whatever he wants as long as he covers the food with insulin. This is a good way to begin teaching carb counting, for example. Kids with diabetes are still kids, and kids -- especially young ones -- like to graze. I wouldn't consider it "sneaking food" but rather typical behavior. Just encourage him to be honest with you about what he is eating and explain the importance of bolusing to cover the carbs.
If the answer is yes, then this is really about instilling your eating habits which is of course perfectly acceptable. Moving "treats" to higher cabinets and things like that are good suggestions. They make fridge and freezer locks that you can install. And if it comes down you it - you could always purchase a safe or some sort of lockbox to keep desirable foods in. It is a phase and it does pass.
I'm so sorry!! Cara had this issue too when she was 4. She never ate 7 bags of fruit snacks at once but if something was left out she would go hide and eat it. She would steal things out of the cupboards too. One time she ate an old chocolate cat from years ago that Kailyn was saving in her room for some reason...but Cara saw it and ate it. She was so in tuned to food she could hear you opening a wrapper a mile away...it really was scary, food was the focus of her life. I would get mad, and tell her she can't eat the food because it is going to make her feel sick...nothing seemed to work and one day it all just stopped. She asks for food now, she will still throw a tantrum if I say no but she will look for a carb free alternative. Cara is a HUGE eater she eats 2 helpings at every dinner, if it is something she likes. She can eat more them me. I'm sorry I don't really have any advise to help you but just know your not alone.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. My son is 4 as well and while he doesn't sneak food, he DOES eat all day long...he is a grazer, and has been since he turned 4 (he'll be 5 in a week). Honestly, I really try not to make an issue out of what and when he eats. I would love to have him on a stricter eating schedule, but right now I'm choosing not to make an issue out of it. So much of his life is restricted anyway, and the beauty of the pump is that he can eat whenever he wants. Of course, if he's had too many sweets for the day I will steer him towards healthier options...and sometimes it actually works ;). Have you tried talking to his doctor about it?
Yikes Shannon! I wish I had some magic words of wisdom for you, but we have not had to deal with this yet.
I do agree with the other ladies though... its best to make it a non issue. When Justin wants something that I don't want hin to have(for whatever reason) I tell him that "its not healthy to run around eating junk all day". I honestly leave D out of it. And like Tib said... would this be an issue. If I were asking for advice... that would be one I would consider.
Make a deal with him...have him shake on it...he can eat WHATEVER he wants, as long as he tells you so you can bolus.
I wish the answer was so easy! Luckily, phases don't last forever, even though sometimes they seem to!
Wow guys! Thanks everyone for your help! I feel much better. I have a few things that we are going to try. Hopefully it will help! Thanks again for all your support! <3
I sent you an email, it was too long to comment here!
Well I'm not a D-Mom but I did want to say that my 3 year old is doing the same thing to me right now. I get pretty frustrated with him, we've talked about how No means NO and that going behind my back and getting the snack anyway is lying, but it's not working! Although we've had quite an issue with him drinking, eating (and peeing his pants) A LOT lately. A friend told me I should have him check for Diabeties...I just about called you. But I think it's just Rusty being bored!??
That is tough Shannon! I'm late reading this and the others had some good advice. I feel this way about my non-D 19 month old. She even gets into the cabinets that she can reach and finds a way to get to any food left on the counter. So, I'd say that it is a normal behavior that some children go through. I totally understand your frustration, and of course D magnifies it all! Hope you have been able to try something new...and if that doesn't work, try something else. Good luck!
I know what your 4 year old is going through. I am 11 with Diabetes and it's hard for me.....Sometimes I just wanna eat and not have to worry about carbs, counting or taking a shot. It be must be harder for a 4 yr old cause he does not understand what it means. I write a blog from a kids view.I hope it will show parents how we feel and deal with having diabetes. I wanna also be an example for kids with diabetes.
diaryofadiabetickid.blogspot.com
Avery
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