Introducing And ?s

[KnottyNykki]

Hi my name is Nychole. I am a mother of three children (4, 3, and 3 months). My oldest has had celiac all his life and has had six surgeries before we figured out what was attacking his body. When he was diagnosed we also found he is allergic to casien, chocolate, spandex, and latex. I was diagnosed after my denist suggested I get tested as well and stop eating gluten to help with my major tooth sensitivity. My daughter has been symptom free so far thank goodness. My youngest is already allergic to dairy and soy so we are thinking he might end up in the same boat as my oldest.

My main question is how do you best to explain to playmates and church children that he can not have what they have. Some of them think he is getting special treatment and started being mean about it (this is one of the reasons I want to home school). I have told them we are not trying to be mean and all that its that it will make him sick, but it has not helped.

My next question is for me. I unfortunately grew up knowing the joys and taste of baked goods and such and I have yet to be able to find a good tasting bread or pie crust, so I have honeslt just been dealing with the pain when I can't hold out any longer :face of shame:. How do you do it? How do you just turn away from all the things you have always known. I know the pain should be enough but there are times it just has not been.

[tictax707]

Since I don't have kids I can't help with the explanations to others - but there are many on here that can help with that. I can tell you that I was diagnosed later in life so I know what you are saying about not wanting to turn away from gluten. I know this might not be what you want to hear, but you just have to take a deep breath and take the plunge. You just do it. You can do it for your son, right? Maybe you could pretend that your gut is another little child of yours - one that is helpless and you must do your best to protect it.

It's not easy but being strong about it is very good for you in the long run. You want to be able to be a good mom for your kids right? You don't want to sideline yourself & make yourself sick by needlessly by eating gluten. Also - if you quit - then maybe you can set an even better example for your kids. (?) Hope this helps some. You have come to the right place. There are many people here that can relate to your situation. I wish you the best!!

[T.H.]

For explanations - we've had a hard time with it.

My youngest was 7 when both he and his older sister went off gluten. We were homeschooling at the time, and with all the issues that have come up, I'm happy with that choice. My kids have learned to stick up for themselves, but it's been hard. Some people simply can't believe that the issue is real unless it has happened to them, and nothing will change their mind.

We just have to make sure they do what is necessary, or take our kids somewhere that does, in the end. And to teach our kids not to take any food unless we've okay'd it first. It's harder when they are small, but as they get older, they will get used to asking first if something is safe to eat, or outright telling someone that it's not, and that they aren't allowed to eat it.

Sometimes, education can help, but it's a crapshoot.

As to avoiding gluten. Having one or two snacks that I enjoy that are gluten free has helped me. I eat those whenever I get a craving. It's not the same, but at least it's still me eating something I enjoy, nonetheless, you know?

I also put up little post-its or notes around reminding me why I'm doing this. 'I'm a better mom without gluten. don't cheat,' 'you might as well eat a bowl of broken glass. don't eat it,' that sort of thing. :-)

[mushroom]

Some of us have gotten over this craving by thinking of rat poison whenever we look at gluten because gluten is a poison to our bodies. I have reached the point where I react with revulsion whenever I see a plate of loaded gluten food, like the current iHOP commercials - I feel like puking. Gluten just doesn't interest me any more, only the avoiding it. Now that's the hard part.