Thursday, May 22, 2008

Fingers crossed

Last night, after a particularly panic-inducing thought process about who would take care of the kids if we both died suddenly (which was compounded by KayTar's eating situation and her ARD meeting today and the processes I am going through to get her into therapies and on insurance and all the other little things which are maddening and yet I know how to handle), I had an epiphany.

FOOD CHART.

It is working for potty training, right?

So here is the plan, I make a chart with labeled slots that she can read on her own, for example:

Chocolate milk (Pediasure)
Baby Food
Baby Food
Chocolate Milk
Baby Food
Snack
Chocolate milk
Baby Food
Baby Food

And send her over to check it several times a day and ask her if she wants to have one and earn a sticker. If she eats and drinks it all, she'll be doing pretty well nutritionally from what I estimate, although I'm still waiting on the exact numbers.

I hope it will give her a bit of control, which she seems to crave, and a bit of incentive, which she seems to like. We can handle it as casually as this potty training thing, hopefully taking a bit of the underlying struggle away.

Maybe. Maybe not.

But it can't hurt to try, can it?

Hiding behind her "baby" which is a straight from the freezer lunch cooler that she rocks and holds and cuddles without ever realizing it is FREEZING! I have to limit the time she can spend with the "baby" because it makes her skin so cold. My adorably weird little kid.
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26 comments:

  1. ChrissyMay 22, 2008 8:50 AM

    Good call on the chart. I hope it works.

    My four year old loves the ice pack too. She desperately wants to drink it when it is thawed out, and I cannot make her understand that it is chemicals and not water. So weird.

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  2. SMay 22, 2008 9:03 AM

    Oh, Kyla! I think that's a great idea!

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  3. InTheFastLaneMay 22, 2008 10:09 AM

    You are so smart! I hope it brings some success or at least more of a feeling of control for Miss KayTar.

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  4. Betsy, short for Elizabeth, formally known as EstherMay 22, 2008 10:38 AM

    Fantastic! Bravo! GREAT idea!!! Here's helping it works!

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  5. HannahMay 22, 2008 10:53 AM

    What a great idea. We made a chart with 'written' rules when S decided to potty train...one of the huge benefits of having an early reader is that they can read the rules and charts! If KayTar is a rule follower then I think you will have huge successes! Good luck.

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  6. painted maypoleMay 22, 2008 11:16 AM

    sounds like a good plan.

    we're stressing a little over the "who to leave the kid with" question thing, as our guardians are currently MQ's godparents, and, of course, her Godmother is currently very sick.

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  7. MimiMay 22, 2008 11:38 AM

    Hi Kyla -- just catching up on everything I missed. The chart is a fantastic idea! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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  8. JanetMay 22, 2008 11:41 AM

    Awesome flash of insight, mama. I hope it works.

    PS I finally got to the post office to send off your book! I hope it doesn't take forever to get there.

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  9. KatieMay 22, 2008 12:40 PM

    OOOHHHH, keep us updated on the whole chart idea!

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  10. NotSoSageMay 22, 2008 1:21 PM

    That's a brilliant idea, Kyla.

    I hope it works.

    And don't worry about that first thing (I can't even bring myself to type it). It's not going to happen, but even if it does, you've left an incredibly detailed description of the tools you use to care for her right here in this space. What a resource!

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  11. cinnamon gurlMay 22, 2008 1:40 PM

    Oh, Kyla, you're brilliant! I hope it works!

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  12. BeccaMay 22, 2008 1:58 PM

    Great idea! I can't wait to hear how it works!

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  13. amandaMay 22, 2008 2:13 PM

    I am hoping it goes as well as the potty training!

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  14. kittenpieMay 22, 2008 2:18 PM

    That IS strange for a lovey!

    But the food chart is a great idea. I hope it's part of the answer.

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  15. Run ANCMay 22, 2008 2:28 PM

    Genius! Hope it goes well.

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  16. ~aj~May 22, 2008 3:05 PM

    Genius! I'm eager to hear how it works.

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  17. ChickenbellsMay 22, 2008 3:45 PM

    Now that is an inspired idea! You are one smart cookie!

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  18. AmyMay 22, 2008 4:38 PM

    Crossing fingers on the food chart..

    I hope it works!!

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  19. moplansMay 22, 2008 5:43 PM

    Kyla you are a genius. I don't have to tell you how excited I was to read this as you totally know I am ripping off this idea.
    Julia downed half a jar of puree for the first time and Norm was so excited, then I had to tell him that it was a mere 25 cals.

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  20. AnonymousMay 22, 2008 8:30 PM

    The food chart sounds like a good idea! Little kids love charts! The story about how her "baby" is from the freezer reminds me of how, when my nephew was little, he loved to play with eggs. He would take them out of the refrigerator and play with them, tenderly calling them his babies,and he would hide them in random places, so we would find his babies rotting all over the house later on!!! Kids are so weird...

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  21. flutterMay 22, 2008 9:57 PM

    oh YAY!!! I think that is a great idea

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  22. ChristineMay 23, 2008 7:35 AM

    this is brilliant!

    and those pictures of your wedding below? i've seen them before, but they still take my breathe away--you guys are gorgeous.

    sorry i haven't been around, lately.

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  23. BonMay 23, 2008 7:38 AM

    that's a fabulous idea, Kyla...here's hoping KayTar buys in and finds it helps her feel in control.

    and her baby? that's fabulous.

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  24. carrieMay 23, 2008 6:05 PM

    YOU.

    Are a genius! Let us know how it works!

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  25. BlogMay 23, 2008 10:00 PM

    Her "baby" is CLASSIC! She's adorable! :)

    Great idea with the chart. I'd love to try it. But, charts aren't working for TOILET TRAINING for us, so....

    Good luck with it!

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  26. Woman in a WindowMay 24, 2008 9:18 AM

    The chart is brilliant. Take away the magnitude of the issue and giving her the control. I remember when my powere hungry (then) little three year old didn't eat a bite for 30 days. I was going out of my mind and desperately tried a lot of foolish things. Being calm, I think will pay off. Giving her control is just so smart!

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