3yr old Boy - issues continue

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02-21-2013 01:34 PM
Mamma_Mia

3yr old Boy - issues continue

I've posted before re: the little boy in my care to which "we" all believe has a case of high anxiety or more...

He's recently refused to eat or drink anything while at my house. He eats at home without a problem but here causes such a scene. He cries as soon as I mention that lunch is ready all the way to the kitchen table then starts gagging before he's even seen what we're eating for that day. *if* he manages to get one bite in by the second he's throwing up.

I've brought this up to his mother MANY times and she doesn't know why but also doesn't look too concerened. So the other day I asked him at drop off what he'd like to eat...he replied hotdogs (eww) but I'm desperate!! So that's what I made for lunch....then without him knowing recorded him on my cell to show his mom at p/u. When she saw the video she was shocked and couldn't believe what he was doing, she angrily asked him why? "you never do this at home"......he finally replied!

"if I throw up mamma_mia has to call mommy to come get me" WHAT?!?! all of this was to go home? Kid, you can NOT go home. Mom HAS to work...unless you're truly sick she has to stay at work! She was so mad and I can tell hurt. I know she works very late and 2 jobs, some nights the kids are in bed when she gets home. So it makes sence why he's crying out for attention BUT this is over 2 months of the same thing and he still does it. Still cried (meltdown cry) at drop off every morning and is fine as soon as the door closes.

I'm worried for him. He litterally eats nothing all day long and makes take 2 sips of water/milk/o.juice and thats it! I've just started asking him if he wants to eat before I make food. I've been tossing out too much or cleaning up puke and I don't want to do either one anymore.

I'm seriously at a loss with this one child!!
02-21-2013 01:51 PM
Fun&care

A child throwing up because he is in the presence of food he doesn't want to eat, just does not seem normal to me. i would want him to be seen by a doctor before returning to care. Obviously he really misses mom too and it's playing a huge role in all this, but actually throwing up just because of food would really worry me. Gah I feel bad for parents sometimes who are stressed and overworked but it angers me too because the kids pay for it dearly!
02-21-2013 01:54 PM
playfelt

Would he possibly eat a lunch packed by mom - what if mom and boy got matching lunch boxes and she made both lunches and then when it was lunchtime - possibly ask him to come and eat his lunch while you are cooking so he is alone. Tell him that that is the time that mommy will be eating out of her lunchbox at work - whether it is or not. Then let him pick at whatever is in the box and make no comment. When you serve lunch to everyone else ask him if he would like some but dont' force it.

He might enjoy being able to send mom an email after lunch and tell her something about the meal like what he liked the best about what she put in his lunchbox or about a snack or meal you made that he ate some of.

I would try to keep a sippy bottle of water where he can get it anytime he wants so he stays hydrated.
02-21-2013 07:24 PM
Mamma_Mia

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfelt

Would he possibly eat a lunch packed by mom - what if mom and boy got matching lunch boxes and she made both lunches and then when it was lunchtime - possibly ask him to come and eat his lunch while you are cooking so he is alone. Tell him that that is the time that mommy will be eating out of her lunchbox at work - whether it is or not. Then let him pick at whatever is in the box and make no comment. When you serve lunch to everyone else ask him if he would like some but dont' force it.

He might enjoy being able to send mom an email after lunch and tell her something about the meal like what he liked the best about what she put in his lunchbox or about a snack or meal you made that he ate some of.

I would try to keep a sippy bottle of water where he can get it anytime he wants so he stays hydrated.

Thanks! That was my suggestion to the mom as well...I said what if we tried 2-3 days of her making him a "special" lunch and seeing if it would make a difference. I like the idea of playing up that its the same as mommy ect.

For all my kids they have their cups on the coffee table all day...due to the high bug-season they get one cup of orange juice then water once it's done. Drinks go into the fridge during nap and back out again afterwards. I've even made him chocolate milk and not more than 2 sips. Now I just have water for him...sorry, I'm not rewarding his behaviour. The other kids can have a cookie for PM snack...not him. Eat your lunch and you'll get treats -- no lunch then you can have a yogurt or veggies.