Progress!

Cashton has officially been gluten free for a full week with only one little "oopsie" when sweet Tony surprised the kids with a donut on Tuesday morning! Whether or not it's completely contributing to his behavior change, I do feel like it's helping his belly. TMI, but he was going #2 a few times a day and now it's just once and I don't hear any complaints from him. His doc appt is next week to start testing allergies, etc.

A HUGE difference I've noticed while keeping him gluten free is that his night terrors have stopped completely! Before switching his diet, we were going two weeks strong with him waking up, acting delusional and screaming. I would have to sleep with him in the guest room just to get him to go back to bed. He was convinced he was hearing noises and seeing monsters in the window, etc., but not any longer! (Another thing that might be helping that is we put his mattress in Lakely's floor so he could sleep with her. He had been asking to sleep WITH her in the bed and she freaked out, (don't blame her), so we have his bed on the floor next to hers, ha! It's working for now, but will hopefully get him back in his room shortly.

Now for the BIG news. This is a LIFE CHANGER for those that might be dealing with behavior issues and aren't having much luck. First and foremost though, remember that every child is different. Once you've done that, read this article:
www.naturalchild.org
Search: When It Falls Apart

I'll preface it with it being extremely difficult to get started and execute, but it has made an impact like you wouldn't believe. Prior to parenting the way described in the article, when Cash would act up, yell, hit, whatever, he would be sent to the time-out chair or in his room for 3 minutes. Well, not any longer. We now try and talk to him, let him get his anger out and then lead him to something that is distracting to help clear his thoughts and calm him down. Honestly, I used to think parents were nuts letting their kids get to that "point of no return" and still remaining calm. I would just want to step in and start yelling....but what the heck does that do?! I mean really. YOU, as the parent, are their examples for everything! If/when you get angry with them or anything for that matter, they're watching. They are going to mirror your tone and behavior and then before you know it, you're in a yelling match with a preschooler. A counselor reminded me it takes two to argue, so just end the "argument" immediately but not getting upset and raising your voice. IT IS SO HARD. The process from start to finish with any tantrum feels like decades. You'll be late to events, meetings, playdates. But let me tell you, it is working!!!!! The funny thing about this technique is it is going against everything that the DOCTORS/NURSES told me to do. They actually suggested removing him from the situation, ignore the erratic behavior (because he's looking for a reaction), and then secluding him in an area where he can calm down. This isn't for our son. We did this and I truly believe it made it worse and created anxiety.

Yesterday was a milestone for sure. We were on the cusp of only two tantrums and both ended on a good note. I was able to calm him down with distraction, talking and hugs. We had been dealing with several BIG, long-lasting tantrums per day (I can't even remember how many we experienced last Saturday!!) So I would officially declare yesterday as a tantrum-free day!!! HOORAY!!!