How do you control weight gain from mood stabilizers

         My daughter has been on a mood stabilizer for a couple of years now. The appetite that comes from the medicine is never ending. She can eat a meal and five minutes later be asking for something else. I understand portion control and limiting what she eats, but when I tell her no she cannot have anything else it is like I have unleashed an evil monster.

        I would love to find an alternative to the mood stabilizer. We are replacing her wardrobe monthly. She is outgrowing her clothes as fast as we get them home it seems. Not to mention the guilt I feel when I have to tell her she can't have anymore to eat right then. I know it is for her own good. It is a terrible cycle that keeps repeating itself daily.

         When she is off the mood stabilizer it is a whole other dose of evil. She goes into uncontrollable rages. She beats her head off of whatever is nearest to her at that moment. I see the anger and aggression now while she is on the medicine. Now however, it is controllable and I can redirect her.

          If anyone has suggestions of herbal supplements or even vitamins that can help with the aggression and replace the mood stabilizer I am all for it. How do we keep the weight gain down, while helping keep the rage away?

         

The Despise List

My daughter has what she calls a Despise List. I am on the list a large majority of the time. Along with my husband, PT, case management, and according to her, many others. The other day we were playing on the computer and she said I needed to click on something for her. I did as she asked and she responded with "Mom, you are moved down to the bottom of my Despise List." I asked why I wasn't removed and she went on to tell me that " You should be glad I moved you down, that is a good thing since I have so many people on my Despise List."

Now, this got me to thinking. Is this list something I should be concerned about. She doesn't hesitate to tell people when they have made the list. It's also not easy to get removed from the list once you have earned a spot. Do any of your kids have a Despise List, or other type of list for people they are not happy with? Do you think the list is harmless? 

Teaching children with Autism right from wrong

Children with Autism have many behaviors that are a direct result of the Autism. However, that being said, they need to be taught right from wrong. Autism is not an excuse for every bad behavior they exhibit. I hate hearing Oh, he does that because he's Autistic. No, I am sorry, he does that because he has been given a free pass his whole life. He has learned that he can use Autism as an excuse. He can do or act however he chooses and nothing will be done.

Now don't get me wrong, I know exactly how challenging the behaviors can be with a child that has Autism. You have to keep working with them and teach them right from wrong. They have to learn there are consequences when they make a bad choice. If you do not, you are setting them up for future failure.

This past week I watched ABC's What Would You Do. I was very pleased to see the diners standing up for the child with Autism. They were not quick to judge the child's behaviors. They had compassion for the parents and the child. I was not happy with the way the diners thought it was alright for the child to steal food from another customers plate. They said he has something wrong with him and that was why he took the food. It is never okay for a child to steal food from another person's plate. Let alone a stranger's plate. He needed to be taught right from wrong and not that it was alright because he has Autism. What if he was in a store and stole an item? Would it still be alright?

Autism is not an excuse for bad behaviors. I know this is not the case for every parent with a child that has Autism. The parents that choose to use Autism as an excuse are what makes the rest of us who try doing the right thing look bad.

Autism and puberty equals mom going insane

My daughter is eleven. I knew it was going to happen one day but I had hoped it would still be a few years. Sadly, I can see the signs that puberty is showing it's ugly head. Grouchiness is a common trend lately. I don't even have to really say anything. I just look in her general direction and I get some lip and a dagger shot my way.

I should be thankful it is just some backtalk and grouchiness. I am terrified when she fully experiences puberty. She has a thing about baby slobber and other bodily fluids, I cannot even imagine how she is going to react to having a period. She knows what it's all about, but knowing and having are two different things.

Maybe now is the time I should take up a hobby( joining a wine of the month club perhaps) to help me make it through the next few challenging years. Deciphering between what is from puberty and what is from autism is becoming quite the challenge. I could use any advice from moms who have already experienced this joyful time of life(please note my sarcasm). How am I going to remain sane? How am I going to help her deal?

Ack! My daughter is a hoarder

Have you ever watched the show Hoarders? This is my daughter. Going into her bedroom makes me want to cry. She insists on keeping everything. This includes water bottles, card board, paper, pieces of things, fabric scraps and bits, and anything else that one would usually throw away. I have no clue how she can stand to be in the room. 


 This weekend we will be tearing down the wall in between her room and the storage room to make her bedroom bigger. I know, I know, I can hear you now. If you give her more room she will get more stuff. I am hoping since she will have more room for shelving and a bookcase, that she will actually keep it cleaner. Notice I did not say clean. I will settle for cleaner.


 Every two weeks or so I go into her room and do a thorough cleaning. If I did not her bed would disappear. Each time I do a cleaning it is like torture for her. She doesn't want to part with any bit or scrap. She has fifty reason why she should be allowed to keep whatever it is I am trying to toss. So we discuss why she should or shouldn't keep the item and move on. It can take hours. I can't say I understand why hoarders want to keep everything, but I do understand the look of sadness and fear on my daughter's face when I try to get rid of something. 


 My daughter's case manager and I have a joke about how I will be cleaning her house even after she moves out someday. As funny as it can be, it most likely is the truth. Do any of you have a child that hoards? Have you had any luck helping them change?

How to tell if you are successful at parenting

Want to know if you are headed in the right direction when it comes to parenting? Just ask yourself this one simple question. Has your child ever told you they hate/despise you? If you can answer yes to that question, you can be assured you are doing something right.

When my daughter is unhappy with me or anyone else in her life, she tells us that we are despised. It really doesn't matter who it is. She told her Occupational therapist, mental health case manager, mom, dad, Physical therapist, and anyone else whom she sees fit to tell.

She even has a despise list. We have yet to figure out how to get off the list. I do recall hearing something about if you win me subs for life I might consider removing you. Chances are slim that I will win, so I guess I will remain on the list.

I really don't mind being on the list or her telling me she despises me. This means I am getting through to her and doing my job. So do any of your children have despise lists? Do they tell you they are not happy with you? Never fret, simply remember you are doing a great job.