Psychologist

Anyone who has been around us during a meal, knows it is a challenge. I like to think we are a balanced family but when it comes to meal time, everything gets thrown out the door. Tensions get raised (very high), there been tears (by everyone), yelling, throwing up, anger. It isn't a pretty sight. And we've finally decided we need outside help by way of a psychologist.

Scott and I had our first session Tuesday Jan. 10. We both walked away from it feeling really good about it, which is... good. We both also walked away with new things to try to help the meal time environment. Basically what it boils down to is, everything we've been doing -- we can't. And we have to do everything opposite. And we have to take away all the focus on the food. Easy enough, right?! For the first week, no more helping the kids eat, no more timer, no more reminding them to eat, no more walking way from the table, no more yelling. And for me, I need to be okay with the kids not eating for meals and days at a time. This is HUGE for me, because I'm so scared of Jack (esp.) loosing weight. We're told day one - Wednesday - will be good, then Thursday will be bad, Friday will get worse, Saturday will be bad, Sunday will get better and maybe by Monday, they'll eat half of what they are served. Here is Jack's progress.....

Day 1 / Wed - all breakfast, most lunch, little dinner
Day 2 / Thur - most breakfast, half lunch, all dinner
Day 3 / Fri - all breakfast, all lunch, little dinner
Day 4 / Sat - barely breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5 / Sun - barely breakfast, half lunch, barely dinner
Day 6 / Mon - half breakfast (after saying repeatedly he was hungry), barely lunch, barely dinner
Day 7 / Tues - all breakfast (but with some reminders), maybe half lunch, good dinner (said the babysitter)
* most = more than half, little = less than half, barely = only a few bites

I will say this... this process has seemed to help Brooke. No pocketing / storing food in her cheeks. She doesn't always eat all her portions, but usually eats at least half, if not more.

After this week trial, we went back to the psychologist. Still a good session. We have followed all the rules and the tension during meal times has gone down dramatically. The psychologist seems to think Jack is improving.... I personally disagree. We are going to tweak a few things; no apples at bedtime, change our answers to their questions during meal time and reward Jack with a quarter for every well-eaten meal. Next post in a weeks time to track the progress and update.