3 Year Old Has Identity Crisis

[shan]

MY husband sounds like yours but since its eat the gluten free meal or starve hes decided to eat the gluten-free meal LOL

Anyhow we make sure to eat foods that have gluten in them in front of our daughter as well... I think that not introducing our child to the fact that other peoples foods are off limits is a BAD idea so when ever I don't have to cook we always have gluten free/ gluten full meals and I let her know that what we are eating has gluten.

Super important when it comes to things like bread and pretzles and cakes and cookies... since they all look like each other. She has to learn to ask questions about food somehow

So please don't get me wrong.... I don't think being entirely gluten free for the rest of the family is always the way to go either, it can teach some pretty important lessons. As long as there is a dialogue

Your daughter sounds really bright Have you had her help make some of her gluten free stuff? I find that mine is more likely to try it if she helps me make it Stirring is always a great option!

Keep up the good work mom!

Thanks for that, at least i know that my hubby is not the only one!! I do make mostly gluten free meals for supper, except since we don't eat together she will get her rice pasta and for us we will have regular (gotta save $$ )

She is responsible and she does ask, especially when she sees the other alternative to what is being ofered is chocolate!!!

I very often get her to help me bake... problem is, she likes it only before it is cooked/baked (i guess that is because i dont really let her!!!)

So, we try and fumble thru these times when she has her days/weeks when she wants to change her tummy for someone elses...

[mymagicalchild]

Today I found a book review for Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride's book on "Gut and Psychology Syndrome..." that has so much useful information for parents of children with food allergies or intolerance. The book is about the connection between gut disturbances and mental problems. The extended information, though, is probably of interest to anyone reading this website.

The location is: www.westonaprice.org/bookreviews/gaps.html.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Shan, I can't help wondering if you are making too big a deal of telling her what is and isn't gluten-free at this point? It's kind of like you are handing her on a silver platter a sign saying "this is gluten-free, feel free to say you hate it because that is the only power you will get right now!"

If I were in your shoes, I would make a couple of different cookie recipes with her at the same time, and ask her which she prefers. Have her watch the last ten minutes of "Iron Chef" on TV, where they present their dishes and are compared and judged (yes, I know they almost always have trayf food there, but I really don't think that needs to become a big issue as you are not planning on making those dishes).

Then tell her that you and she will prepare your own Iron Chef courses--but she gets to be the judge.

If she complains that she wants the old gluteny food, don't get too sympathetic, and don't make too big a deal out of it. Simply say that everyone says that there are recipes that have exactly the same taste as what she is missing, and that you'll keep trying until you find them, and this is what you have today. Don't gush over her, but don't ignore her either. The more you fuss over her, the more she feels that things must be pretty bad, especially if you weren't fussing over her before!

I think she is feeling extremely powerless right now, and she needs to be put in a position where she can move ahead and feel that SHE is deciding things. Obviously, she can't decide her diet; but she can have choices within it.

I also think talking with the Rabbi is a great idea. Our rabbi let us bring in gluten-free challah, and it was GONE in about 30 seconds. (Do you have a braid-shape pan, so that it LOOKS like the real thing?) And I always let my kids slather it with butter or margarine, even though that's not particularly healthy. Now they don't bother, they just eat it as is, but remember, EVERYTHING tastes better with a schmear of something!

There is probably a lot of truth to the Gut and Psych connection, too....

Lastly, I agree that the whole household should be gluten-free. Not because it'll make her feel better--that would be like everyone using a wheelchair to make a paraplegic feel better! But because it will be easier--and HEALTHIER--for everyone. I don't think it's anywhere in the 10 commandments that challah needs to made from wheat! And there is even gluten-free matzoh available (and I have a great recipe for gluten-free matzahballs, by the way--do you need it?) If the whole household is gluten-free, then there is no need to announce that any meal or dish is gluten-free. You just sit down, Ha Motzi, and eat! Just like normal people, right?

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I would do rice pasta for everyone. You can get cheaper rice pasta by going to the Asian stores and buying Thai rice noodles (NOT the ones at the regular grocery, they charge too much$$), or even ordering on Amazon.

[DanaDee]

I have just found it easier for my whole house to go gluten free. I have purchased several cook books and have made some awesome "fakes" Nobody knows. I don't bring it to everyone's attention that it's gluten free, it's just dinner. Who has to know what they are eating?

Also, after doing my own research, gluten free is easier to digest and healthier for all. We eat corn pasta now ( Quinoa, it has more protein than wheat pasta), and the cake I made yesterday for my DD"s birthday EVERYONE raved about how good it was and it was gluten free.

Just do it, don't tell, and I am getting used to the taste of the gluten free flours. AND I have personally lost 12 pounds. There is less non-healthy food in my home now. My other two non-Celiac daughters are no worse for the wear. They are actually getting a good lesson on health and nutrition.